371. Kristen Rouse. This Veterans Day Feels Different. Beyond the Parades. IHOP, Bloomin’ Onions & Free Stuff. A Rare Day of Unity in America. Are Vets Now in the Rear View? Teaching our Kids About All of This. Independent Veterans are Ready to Lead.

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Righteous Media | Bleav

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

4.6 • 907 Ratings

🗓️ 11 November 2025

⏱️ 42 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

On this special Veterans Day episode, Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) sits down with renowned veterans advocate Kristen Rouse for a candid, timely, and moving conversation. With honesty and heart, Paul and Kristen break down how Veterans Day 2025 feels different—exploring the evolving challenges, divisions, threats, and opportunities facing America’s veterans and those who support them. From celebrations at the NYC Veterans Day Parade to the hard truths about shrinking attention and support for veterans nationwide, this episode goes deep on community, service, powerful vulnerability, and resilient leadership. And, explores what it all means for our kids and grandkids as a teaching tool. There’s no better show to explore Veterans Day than one of the rare few hosted by a veteran. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -Listen to Kristen’s previous appearance: Episode 129 from August 26, 2021. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Independent Veterans of America and join us for our IVA Winners Circle Virtual Townhall 11/11 from 9pm-10pm ET. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power. -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours. -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch. -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm. Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXe Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff/id1457899667 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff Ways to watch: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@independentamericans Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/IndependentAmericansUS/ X/Twitter: https://x.com/indy_americans BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/indyamericans.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndependentAmericansUS/ Ways to listen:Social channels:

Transcript

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0:00.0	Powered by Righteous Media.
0:16.2	Welcome to Independent Americans.
0:19.3	Welcome to episode 3.71. It is Tuesday, November 11th. That means it is
0:26.6	Veterans Day. So happy Veterans Day to everyone. I'm your host, Paul Reichoff. It is Veterans Day.
0:32.9	That is always especially important on this show. And we've got a great special Veterans Day show coming up.
0:39.0	Kristen Rouse is here. My friend, my partner in Veterans Advocacy for decades, a human inspiration
0:45.4	machine, a person that I always look to to be a conscience for America. She is here with us.
0:50.4	And the news just keeps on coming. The shutdown is ending, but not quite yet. It looks like the
0:56.2	House is going to vote tomorrow on Wednesday, we hope, and things are still being screwed up.
1:00.7	The American military hasn't struck any boats in the Caribbean today yet, but they're doing
1:06.8	them almost daily, so there might be a strike that is, of course, unauthorized by the time
1:10.9	you hear this or see this. Airports are still getting screwed up. The New York Giants have finally
1:17.3	fired their failed head coach Brian Davel, and some Democrats are actually talking about firing
1:23.4	Chuck Schumer. It is cold as hell here in New York City, but it is Veterans Day, and hopefully
1:29.0	that will bring warmth to your heart, and now is most definitely a time to stay vigilant.
1:42.3	Helping us stay vigilant on this Veterans Day, a person that I love, that I respect, that I admire, that I look to for advice and mentorship and insight.
1:52.9	One of the toughest, smartest human beings I know.
1:56.5	The great and powerful Kristen Rouse is here on Independent Americans.
2:00.3	Welcome back, my friend.
2:02.3	Thanks, Paul. Happy Veterans Day to you. Happy Veterans Day to you. Folks who don't know,
2:07.8	Kristen is an Army vet, a legendary Veterans Advocate. We served together on the IABA board for a long time.
2:13.5	You're the founder of the New York City Veterans Alliance. You're a parent. You're kind of a fixture
	...

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