Editor’s Note: This Cal Thomas column, first published May 30, 2011, is being republished in honor of Louis Zamperini, who died Wednesday at 97.

Prior to Memorial Day, 2011, Louis Zamperini visited Washington, D.C., where I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing him. The man was as sharp as the proverbial tack. He inscribed Laura Hillenbrand’s bestselling biography, Unbroken, to me with “Be Hardy.” And he was. This is the column I wrote about him and what he stood for. The film of the book, directed by Angelina Jolie, will be released in December.