131. Rob Serra, FDNY (Ret.). 9/11 SPECIAL. Did America Forget? First-Responder Health Issues. The Great American Betrayal of Afghanistan. Professor Rieckhoff Goes Back to School. The Firefighters Podcast. Hockey Heroes Take Over MSG.

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Never forget is the mantra of 9/11. It was on bumper stickers, repeated by Presidents, and hashtagged for two decades now. Twenty years later, has America forgotten?

Have we forgotten the lessons of 9/11? Have we forgotten what happened that day? Have we forgotten all that happened after? Have we forgotten about the public officials who said the air was clear at Ground Zero, the islamophobic attacks that happened across america, the rapid passage of the Patriot Act, the people snatched off streets and sent to GitMo without trail, the push for an invasion without a declaration of war, the rapid passage of the Authorization for Use of Military Force that allowed the unchecked expansion of Presidential power and the authority to conduct a forever war? Have we forgotten the unity? Have we forgotten the humanity? Have we forgotten the lessons?

From the bitter divisions around COVID, to the Capitol attack on January 6th, to the betrayal of Afghanistan, to the thousand of 9/11 first responders and survivors left alone to die from health impacts without help to this day...20 years after 9/11, it often feels like we’ve forgotten. And many in power, would like to keep it that way.

But as keepers of the 9/11 flame, our First-Responder host, Paul Rieckhoff, and his heroic guest consider it their responsibility to try to make sure America never forgets.

Host Rob Serra (@SerraRob) is a leader who can never forget. For over 10 years, he’s been one of America’s leading advocates for firefighters and first-responders. Rob was born and raised in Staten Island, NY and his first day in the field was September 11th. Along with thousands of others, he reported to the World Trade Center to help with the aftermath of the attacks.

And now he’s the host of his own groundbreaking new podcast, powered by Righteous Media, called The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, FDNY (Ret.). It’s the hottest podcast in America, literally. The show will feature interviews with firefighters and first responders, celebrities, and the always popular and delicious Firehouse cooking segment. Everybody loves firefighters. Now they have a podcast! And Rob is joining us exclusively to share more.

Our host, national security and political analyst and Army veteran Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) first hosted Rob on this show way back in Episode #2--over two years ago. And this new conversation with Rob is as moving and as real as it gets. Parts of it are hard to hear, but you shouldn’t turn away. These are the hard truths and about holding those in power accountable. It’s a bold and blunt perspective you won’t find anywhere else on the media landscape.

You can support this show and join the community of listeners by joining our IA Patreon community. You’ll get access to events, guests, merch discounts, and exclusive content. And you’ll help us keep speaking truth to power.

Paul Begala called Independent Americans: “What all political pods ought to be: fun, engaging, freewheeling, and respectful - even welcoming- of different points of view.”

You can watch the video of this moving conversation with Rob and more than 100 other important, inspiring and iconic leaders touched by 9/11 from Sarah Jessica Parker to Admiral James Starvridis; Stephen Colbert to Pete Buttigieg; Jeffrey Wright to Rachel Maddow on the Righteous YouTube page. Independent Americans connects, informs and inspires--and is powered by Righteous Media. On social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. And check out the new IA merch to hook up your favorite independent as fall approaches.

You can also watch the full conversation with Rob and Paul Rieckhoff here:

https://youtu.be/f9VEVyz41mA

Stay vigilant, America.

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