335. Bonnie Carroll. A Special Memorial Day Conversation with ‘Saint Bonnie’. It’s Memorial Day Every Day in Ukraine. Ben (Not Jerry) Manhandled in DC. Noem’s Immigration Hunger Games. Hegseth’s Afghanistan Witch Hunt. VA Sec Collins Continues to Spin.

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Righteous Media | Bleav

Daily News, Veteran, News, Politics, News Commentary, National Security

4.6 • 907 Ratings

🗓️ 22 May 2025

⏱️ 46 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

335. Bonnie Carroll. A Special Memorial Day Conversation with ‘Saint Bonnie’. It’s Memorial Day Every Day in Ukraine. Ben (Not Jerry) Manhandled in DC. Noem’s Immigration Hunger Games. Hegseth’s Afghanistan Witch Hunt. VA Sec Collins Continues to Spin. It’s Fleet Week in New York City. The Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in decades, the Yankees are in first in their division. It’s a good time to be in New York. But this week as we head into Memorial Day weekend, there are a lot of reasons for you to stay vigilant. From Trump’s ridiculous and shameful performance with the visiting South African president, to SECDEF Pete Hegseth’s latest announcement of a sham inquiry into the Afghan debacle, to Deceptive Doug Collins spinning his way through the VA , it’s a time we could all use a helper. And this episode’s guest is a true helper. Bonnie Carroll (@Bonnie_at_TAPS) has helped to guide countless people through their worst days. Along with the amazing volunteers that she works with at TAPS, Bonnie helps the survivors learn to carry the burden of their grief. It’s a conversation that will move you. Will inspire you. And it might just surprise you. Welcome to Independent Americans, Episode 335. Every episode of Independent Americans is independent light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s content for the 42% of Americans that call themselves independent. Always with a unique focus on national security, foreign affairs and military and vets issues. This is another pod to help you stay vigilant. Because vigilance is the price of democracy. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics and inspiration. Previous appearances: Episode 60 - May 2020, Episode 172 - May 2022 and Episode 282 from May 2024. - Support TAPS and their efforts to help bereaved families. -Get extra content, connect with guests, events, merch discounts and support this show that speaks truth to power by joining us on Patreon. -WATCH video of Paul and Bonnie’s conversation. -NEW! Watch the video version of the entire podcast here. -Visit AmericanVeteransForUkraine.org and join the fight. -Check #LookForTheHelpers on Twitter. And share yours. -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. -Hear other Righteous pods like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm. Independent Americans is powered by Righteous Media. America’s next great independent media company.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Power by Righteous Media.
0:15.9	Welcome to Independent Americans. Welcome to episode 335. I'm your host, Paul Rikov, and welcome to New York City.
0:28.9	We've got the Statue of Liberty over my shoulder. The Ellis Island is over here. And welcome to Fleetweek, New York City. Welcome, of course, to the NBA
0:41.6	playoffs and the Eastern Conference Finals featuring our New York Knicks and welcome also to Memorial
0:49.1	Day weekend, a time that should still be about reflection, remembrance, and pause.
0:56.1	More on that coming up with my very special guest,
0:58.9	our returning annual Memorial Day guest, Bonnie Carroll.
1:03.8	But now, even on Memorial Day, even on Fleet Week,
1:08.0	even when the Knicks are in the Eastern Conference finals,
1:12.2	now is still definitely a time to stay vigilant.
1:19.4	And just a few hours ago, right here behind me on the Hudson River, the annual New York City Fleet Week parade
1:29.5	of ships took place. Yes, it is still raining here in New York, but it was an awesome display
1:35.7	led by the USS New York, an amphibious attack ship in the Navy, the U.S. Navy, that was made from over seven tons of solid steel from what
1:48.3	was once the World Trade Center, from the 9-11 site itself. The ships paraded up the Hudson River,
1:54.1	and they'll be here all weekend throughout Memorial Day. It's a great time for the city and the
1:59.8	country to come together, to recognize and salute our Navy, our Coast Guardsmen, our Marines, and all our armed forces, and most importantly, to remember all those we've lost.
2:10.9	And it's also kind of the paradox of America. We're remembering Memorial Day and the city's popping because the Yankees were playing the Mets and the Knicks are in the Eastern Conference finals.
2:22.3	Folks are really excited about the Stanley Cup playoffs and the rest of the NBA playoffs.
2:27.1	But the killing continues in Ukraine and President Trump continues to embarrass us.
2:32.5	Most recently now with the President of South Africa,
2:35.0	and another catastrophic and ridiculous press conference inside the Oval Office.
2:39.8	And every week, we're going to continue with this new format where I take you wherever I am.
	...

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