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To the interview with Sandy Sandler

Citizen Co-Founder Larry Platt interviews 98-year-old World War II veteran and Northeast Philadelphia resident Sandy Sandler.

 

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LISTEN: “I Was Too Stupid To Be Scared”

One of the 120,000 living members of the Greatest Generation turns 99 this year. For Memorial Day, he talks to the Citizen’s co-founder about his secret to longevity (hint: martinis) and about saving America … then and now

LISTEN: “I Was Too Stupid To Be Scared”

One of the 120,000 living members of the Greatest Generation turns 99 this year. For Memorial Day, he talks to the Citizen’s co-founder about his secret to longevity (hint: martinis) and about saving America … then and now

BY Larry Platt

May. 27, 2024

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Four years ago, I marked Memorial Day by checking in with Sandy Sandler, a Northeast Philly veteran of World War II. Today, there are only roughly 120,000 members of the Greatest Generation alive, but Sandy is still going strong. He’s still drinking his martini or glass of wine at 5 o’clock, still watching his Phils, and still cursing at the evening news every night.

And he’s still given to fits of moral outrage when confronted by failed or unethical leadership — so he’s got a lot to say. Sandy, who was a business sidekick and close friend to my late father, Bill, will turn 99 on June 28. Sharp and engaged, he continues to see right and wrong where others see shades of gray.

I caught up with the great Philadelphian and American citizen to reminisce and consider the rewards of a lifetime of service and citizenship.

Listen to their conversation here:

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May 1945. Courtesy of the National Archives: Pictures of World War II.

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