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PODCAST

Gold Star Stories

GoldStarStoriesUSA.com

Gold Star Stories shares powerful, unfiltered conversations with the families of fallen service members—spouses, siblings, parents, and children. These are stories of love, loss, and legacy told by those who carry them. We don’t skip the hard parts. We honor them.🎙️ Hosted by a Gold Star sibling📲 Follow us on TikTok: @GoldStarStoriesUSA📅 New episodes every weekGold Star Stories is empowered by Veterans Collaborative, making your donation tax-deductible. Help us grow this mission by visiting

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All Episodes

10:39

Gold Star Stories Vietnam - Honoring CPL Thomas...

Gold Star Stories ·

2025/10/27

In this episode of Gold Star Stories, we share the life and sacrifice of Corporal Thomas Steven Hickman, a young soldier from Loogootee, Indiana, who served with courage and heart during the Vietnam War. Told through the voice of his younger brother Scott Hickman, this story reflects the love, loss, and resilience of a family forever changed by war.As time passes, stories like Steve’s risk being forgotten — but through Gold Star Stories, we’re making sure their names remain spoken and their legacies

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86:10

Honoring SPC Joey Graves - Kevin's Story

Gold Star Stories ·

2025/10/18

Some stories begin long before a uniform. In this episode of Gold Star Stories, Kevin Graves remembers his son, Specialist Joseph A. “Joey” Graves—a California kid who loved golf, pranks, and looking out for the underdog. After 9/11, Joey chose the Army’s Military Police, earned his wings, served in Korea, then deployed from Fort Hood to Iraq. On July 25, 2006, during a convoy near Sadr City, a well-planned ambush took his life at 21.You will hear the knock at the door no parent wants, a community

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57:44

Honoring CPL Ben Kopp - Jill's Story

Gold Star Stories ·

2025/10/10

A mother’s love, a son’s calling. In this Gold Star Stories interview, Jill Stephenson shares the life and legacy of her only child, Corporal Ben Kopp—an athlete turned Army Ranger whose True North formed after 9/11. Jill walks us through three deployments in two years, the call no parent wants, the race from battlefield to Walter Reed, and the hard truth that followed. She also tells how Ben’s written wish to be an organ donor saved four lives, including a family friend’s—proof that courage can

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41:35

Honoring Private Karl Sellner - Rad's Story

Gold Star Stories ·

2025/10/04

Private Karl Jacob Sellner was the kind of son who lit up every room — a prankster, musician, and loyal friend with a heart for service. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Karl followed his grandfather’s footsteps into the U.S. Army as a Military Police officer. He trained hard, got married, and served proudly at Fort Riley, Kansas. But behind his smile were struggles with addiction, marital strain, and the weight of his own expectations.Weeks away from an honorable discharge, under daily watch in the

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67:04

Honoring TSgt Brian Theobald - Lyndsey's Story

Gold Star Stories ·

2025/09/19

In this episode of Gold Star Stories, we sit down with Lyndsey Theobald, widow of Air Force OSI Agent Brian Theobald.Brian was a son of Pittsburgh, a dedicated Airman, and above all, a husband and father. He deployed twice to Iraq before he turned 20, served in Security Forces, and later cross-trained into OSI. On paper, his career was exemplary. But behind the uniform, Brian carried invisible wounds — from burn pits, combat, and years of pressure that the system never properly addressed.Lyndsey

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39:13

Honoring Petty Officer First Class Darrel Birnley -...

Gold Star Stories ·

2025/09/12

In this episode of Gold Star Stories, we sit down with Karry Birnley, widow of Petty Officer First Class Darrel Birnley. Karry opens her heart to share Darrel’s life, his Navy service, and the love they built together. She also speaks candidly about the unexpected battles she faced after his passing—including the shock of foreclosure and the struggle to navigate a system that too often leaves families behind.Through it all, Karry’s resilience and her ability to still find happy remind us what true

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47:14

Honoring Lance Corporal Larry Philippon - Bryan's Story

Gold Star Stories ·

2025/09/05

In this deeply personal episode of Gold Star Stories, host Nick Letendre sits down with Bryan Philippon to remember his big brother, Lance Corporal Lawrence Robert “Larry” Philippon. Larry was larger than life—a 6’5” athlete, a prankster, and a devoted mentor who carried his strength and humor into the Marine Corps until his life was cut short in Iraq.Bryan shares what it meant to grow up with Larry as both a hero and best friend, and how his loss reshaped the course of his own life—from joining the

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36:00

Episode 18 - Honoring SSgt Edvin Franco - Georgia's...

Gold Star Stories ·

2025/08/30

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Gold Star Stories, we sit down with Georgia, wife of Staff Sergeant Edvin Franco, a U.S. Army tank mechanic whose life and legacy continue to shine through those who loved him most.Edvin was known as the soldier who kept morale high, the one whose laughter carried teammates through long days, and the man whose recovery vehicle was trusted across his brigade. To Georgia, he was her perfect match in humor, spirit, and love. To their infant son, he was a

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40:34

The Bond That Doesn’t Break – Renee Tomlinson on...

Gold Star Stories ·

2025/07/31

In this deeply moving episode of Gold Star Stories, we sit down with Renee Tomlinson, the proud mother of Lance Corporal Albert Garcia, a U.S. Marine who lost his life in a tragic car accident on base in 2022.Renee shares the powerful connection she had with her son — a bond so strong, she physically felt the moment he left this world. From the chaos of that unimaginable day to the heartbreaking task of planning his funeral, Renee walks us through the raw truth of sudden loss. But this isn’t just a

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34:58

Episode 16 - Honoring Sgt Shane Duffy - Shanon's Story

Gold Star Stories ·

2025/06/25

Today’s episode of Gold Star Stories hits close to home. Nick Letendre sits down with Shannon Duffy—veteran, advocate, and proud Gold Star sibling—to honor the life of her brother, Sergeant Shane Duffy.Shannon was only 18, getting ready for senior prom, when she opened the door to two casualty officers. That moment changed everything. But in this episode, she shares so much more than loss. She tells us about Shane—the goofball, the protective big brother, the one who made people feel seen. We hear

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33:25

Episode 14 - Honoring SPC Orlando Perez - Angelica's...

Gold Star Stories ·

2025/06/03

🎙️ Episode 14 – The Knock at the Door: Angelica Marta on Losing Her Brother, Orlando PerezWhat does it mean to lose your big brother, your protector, and your best friend at just 16 years old?In this emotional episode of Gold Star Stories, Nick Letendre sits down with Angelica Marta, whose older brother, Specialist Orlando Antonio Perez, was killed in action in Iraq in 2008. Orlando wasn’t just a soldier—he was a hilarious, thick-glasses-wearing, shoelace-tying big brother who made every room

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52:34

Episode 11 - Honoring SGT Colin Arslanbas - Nicole's...

Gold Star Stories ·

2025/05/28

In this emotional and eye-opening episode, Nick Letendre sits down with Nicole, a Marine Corps mom, educator, and fierce advocate, to honor the life of her son, Sergeant Colin Arslanbas—a Recon Marine who died during a preventable training accident in North Carolina.Colin was more than a Marine. He was a husband, a big brother, a soon-to-be dad, and the kind of guy who made people laugh even in the most serious moments. Nicole shares his story—from childhood memories to leadership failures that led

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43:58

Episode 10 - Honoring Sgt. Daniel Brett - Natalie's...

Gold Star Stories ·

2025/05/13

When a soldier comes home, the war isn’t always over. In this powerful episode of Gold Star Stories, Nick Letendre sits down with Natalie Brett, widow of Sergeant Daniel Brett—an Army MP, a devoted husband and father, and a man whose battle with invisible wounds ended in tragedy.Natalie shares the full story: not just of Daniel’s death by suicide in 2023, but of his life—his humor, his love, his service, and the unbearable pressure he faced in the civilian world. This episode dives into the

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52:25

Episode 9: Honoring PFC Justin Davis - Paula's Story

Gold Star Stories ·

2025/05/08

In this powerful episode of Gold Star Stories, we sit down with Paula Davis, a mother who has carried the unimaginable weight of losing her only child—Army Private First Class Justin Davis. At just 19 years old, Justin was killed in Afghanistan in 2006, a little over a year after joining the military. What followed for Paula was a journey marked by grief, service, and an unwavering commitment to making sure her son is never forgotten.Paula shares stories of Justin’s vibrant personality, his love for

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48:01

🎙️ Episode 7 – Honoring SGT Andy Southard: Ashley’s...

Gold Star Stories ·

2025/05/01

🎙️ Episode 7 – Honoring SGT Andy Southard: Ashley’s StoryIn this powerful and emotional episode of Gold Star Stories, host Nick Letendre sits down with Ashley Southard — a mother, a widow, and a woman rebuilding life in the aftermath of unimaginable loss. Her husband, Sergeant Andy Southard, a Black Hawk crew chief with the 160th SOAR, was killed during a training mission over the Mediterranean in November 2023.Ashley shares the kind of story that lives in the quiet — the knock at the door, the

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51:52

Episode 6 - Honoring SPC Chris Neiberger - Ami's Story

Gold Star Stories ·

2025/04/30

In this episode of Gold Star Stories, host Nick Letendre speaks with Ami Neiberger, sister of Specialist Christopher Neiberger, who was killed in Iraq just days after his 22nd birthday. Ami shares her brother’s story — from his thoughtful nature and love of history, to the devastating moment her family was notified — and offers raw, deeply insightful reflections on grief, sibling loss, and building community through tragedy.You’ll also hear an emotional toast to Chris and an honest discussion about

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29:14

🎙️ Episode 5 - Honoring Sergeant First Class Daniel...

Gold Star Stories ·

2025/04/26

🎙️ Episode 5 - Mallory Crabtree: A Gold Star Daughter’s JourneyWelcome back to Gold Star Stories, hosted by Nick Letendre. Today, we are honored to sit down with Mallory Crabtree, daughter of Sergeant First Class Daniel B. Crabtree, a brave Green Beret who gave everything for his country when Mallory was just 17 months old.Mallory’s perspective is unique — growing up shaped by her father’s legacy rather than direct memories. She shares how her family, community, and her father’s brothers-in-arms

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73:01

Episode 4 - SSgt Daniel Merriweather: Rachelle’s Story

Gold Star Stories ·

2025/04/25

Episode 4 - SSgt Daniel Merriweather: Rachelle’s StoryIn this profoundly moving episode of Gold Star Stories, we’re honored to introduce you to Rachelle, an Army veteran whose incredible journey is marked by both heartwarming memories and profound tragedy. Uniquely a Gold Star spouse twice over, Rachelle courageously shares the story of her first husband, Staff Sergeant Daniel Merriweather, who was killed in action during his deployment to Afghanistan.Rachelle warmly recalls their unforgettable

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48:33

🎙️ Episode 3: Sergeant Jonathan Lootens – Through the...

Gold Star Stories ·

2025/04/13

In this episode of Gold Star Stories, host Nick Letendre sits down with Andi Hefti to share the story of her brother, Sergeant Jonathan Lootens, who was killed in Iraq in 2006.Andi opens up about the moment she got the call, the overwhelming aftermath, and what it felt like to carry the weight of planning, paperwork, and public attention—while everyone else asked how her mom was doing. Her honesty sheds light on what it means to be a Gold Star sibling, and how grief shows up in ways the world rarely

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51:53

🎙️ Episode 2: Honoring Airman First Class Charles...

Gold Star Stories ·

2025/04/11

🎙️ Episode 2: Honoring Airman First Class Charles Michael Faulkner – Jennifer Faulkner’s StoryIn this episode of Gold Star Stories, Jennifer Faulkner opens up about the life, love, and loss of her husband, Airman First Class Charles Michael Faulkner.Michael was a devoted father, a joyful soul, and a man whose dream of flying led him to the U.S. Air Force. But beneath the surface, he carried the weight of past trauma and unspoken pain—pain that eventually overwhelmed him.Jennifer shares the

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