Gold Star Stories

A mother and a grandfather. One loss. Two vantage points. In this first-ever dual-interview episode of Gold Star Stories, Nick Letendre sits down with Kristen Giordano and Joe Giordano to honor Private First Class Joseph Marquez — known to the people who loved him as "Dimps." Joey was killed in a training accident in Yakima, Washington on April 25th, 2022. He was 19 years old and had been in the A...

Episode Title: Kim LaShomb | A Gold Star Sister’s Story Featuring: Kim LaShomb Honoring: Cpl Nicholas Nick Arvanitis, U.S. Army (KIA Iraq, October 2006) Kim LaShomb is a Gold Star sister and a veteran who has carried her brother’s loss for nearly two decades. In this episode, she shares who Nick was before the uniform, what changed after deployment, how the notification unfolded, and what it looks...

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 bei...

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 we...

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 wr...

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, a...

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 w...

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 f...

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...

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 h...

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...

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 t...

🎙️  Episode 14 – The Knock at the Door: Angelica Marta on Losing Her Brother, Orlando Perez What 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...

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 t...

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, hi...

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 m...

🎙️ Episode 7 – Honoring SGT Andy Southard: Ashley’s Story In 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 this powerful episode of Gold Star Stories , Ami Neiberger shares the life and legacy of her younger brother, Specialist Christopher Neiberger, who was killed in Iraq by an explosively formed penetrator (EFP) in 2007 — just three days after his 22nd birthday. Ami opens up about the day everything changed, the emotional weight of sibling grief, and how she transformed her pain into purpose throu...

🎙️ Episode 5 - Mallory Crabtree: A Gold Star Daughter’s Journey Welcome 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 lega...

Episode 4 - SSgt Daniel Merriweather: Rachelle’s Story In 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 w...

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 hone...

🎙️ Episode 2: Honoring Airman First Class Charles Michael Faulkner – Jennifer Faulkner’s Story In 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...

🎙️ Episode 1: Honoring Chief Warrant Officer Sean Deck – Kim Deck’s Story In the first episode of Gold Star Stories , we sit down with Kimberly Deck—widow of Chief Warrant Officer Sean Deck—for an unfiltered, emotional look into the lasting impact of military loss. Sean served 23 years in the U.S. Navy. But when his final deployment ended, the battle didn’t. Kimberly, known on TikTok as @One_Badas...