The Author

Andrew Biggio

Andrew has always had passion for history about the second World War since a very young age. Tragically, both of his grandfathers had a brother killed in action during the war. Andrew was taught about sacrifice since childhood.

United States Marine

After graduating from Malden Catholic High School in 2006, Andrew enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served as an infantry rifleman during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). He finished six years in the Marine Corps, leaving the military as a sergeant. He went on to and earn a bachelor's degree in sociology criminology from Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts. Upon graduating from Suffolk, Andrew pursued a Masters degree from Northeastern University in Homeland Security.

Police Officer

While in college, Andrew still felt the need to continue to serve. After finishing the police academy, Andrew was sworn in as a full time police officer in 2015. He actively works in Law Enforcement in the City of Boston. He has served as a patrolman, SWAT officer, and narcotics detective. Andrew focuses on using his resources in law enforcement at any means necessary to support veterans. Escorting the remains of fallen service members, food delivery, Veterans Day, and Memorial Day services are just of the tasks he spearheads.

non-profit

Andrew is the founder of Boston's Wounded Vet Run, New England's largest motorcycle ride dedicated to severely wounded veterans. For the last 14 year's Andrew saw the need to assist soldiers, Marines, airmen, and sailors who returned from Iraq/ Afghanistan with serious injuries. His non-profit has been responsible for housing modifications, new transportation, financial support, and basic living needs for some of America's most severely wounded combat veterans. No salary is collected from his non-profit and it is a federally tax exempt organization 47-1461072

The book

While helping his own generation of veterans for the last decade, Andrew saw the urgency to start honoring WWII veterans as they were vanishing at an alarming rate. He saw the need to link their methods of living a successful life after combat and pass it on to today's veterans. This sparked a seven year journey. Over four hundred veterans later, Andrew was fortunate to publish a written experience of the journey called "The Rifle."

Why a rifle?

At the average age of ninety-eight, there was one instrument that brought these men and women back to WWII, the M1 Garand rifle. Being the standard issued rifle of that time, each veteran had their own memorable experience with the weapon. Just by grasping the rifle, it acts as time machine bringing them back some 80 years. The most magnificent stories would be shared through this rifle.