Today’s Vet Talk is a special one — (representing ) and (representing ) welcome on retired Navy Commander, , to discuss an incredible story Melissa broke this weekend — the U.S. Navy has deleted footage and evidence of the 2 survivors brought aboard the USS Iwo Jima after an October strike.

This is beyond serious — it is against all established doctrine, US Law of War, and International Humanitarian Laws.

Blue Amp Media

EXCLUSIVE: US Navy Deleted Video of October Boat Attack Survivors

On a crystal blue sea, multiple explosive assaults from the sky have blown small boats to pieces, almost always ending the lives of those on board…

Read more

4 months ago · 587 likes · 72 comments · Melissa Corrigan, she/her and David Shuster

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Actions You Can Take

Call your public servants on important issues:

• 5calls.org

Join the efforts to unmask law enforcement and feed America:

• safedc.info

Sign the Move-On Petitions:

• Investigate Presidential Use of the Autopen for Pardons and Executive Actions

• A Petition to End the Shutdown and Restore Representation: Remove Speaker Johnson

• Mandate that ICE agents show their face and identification

Service members can get un-biased information on legal vs illegal orders:

• Orders Project

• Reach out on Signal: @TheOrdersProject.76

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Today on ’s Vet Talk, and discuss some of the latest updates, reporting, and news about the 2 “unidentified belligerents” who were detained and released to their home countries (Ecuador and Columbia) without the proper governing procedures being followed. Additionally, Nick and Melissa briefly discuss the “kill them all” order given by Pete Hegseth which resulted in a September 2nd strike occurring against a vessel leaving 2 survivors who were subsequently killed in a (more than likely) illegally ordered secondary strike.

The discussion focuses in on two main areas:

• ’s recent article on Gary Berntsen and his influence in shaping the current U.S. narratives around Central and South American countries.

  • Gary Berntsen: Traitor or Tireless Hero?

• ’s personal experiences as a Human Intelligence Collector while serving the U.S. Army and on Nick’s upcoming article for , which will be released on 12/4 at 12pm ET.

  • Wounded and Unknown: Treatment and Release Procedures for “Unprivileged Belligerents”

and are aiming to bring you the needed information so that you, as a Citizen, can go on offense to protect and defend our nation and the Constitution.

The most impactful thing you can do right now as a Citizen? Call your Senators and Representatives — especially if they are Veterans or on an applicable committee. You can easily use 5calls.org to look up your Senators and Representative’s phone numbers. Then, openly support efforts in the Congressional Committees — both in the House and Senate — to ensure there is a full and complete public investigation into all of the illegal strikes occurring in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

We demand accountability. For people like Pete “kill them all” Hegseth and those unwilling to uphold their Oaths — accountability is coming.

Now go on offense so we can protect and progress our nation to one where we are can finally be the land of the free and home of the brave.

Thank you , , , , , and many others for tuning into my live video with and ! Join me for my next live video in the app.

Actions You Can Take

Call your public servants on important issues:

• 5calls.org

Join the efforts to unmask law enforcement and feed America:

• safedc.info

Sign the Move-On Petitions:

• Investigate Presidential Use of the Autopen for Pardons and Executive Actions

• A Petition to End the Shutdown and Restore Representation: Remove Speaker Johnson

• Mandate that ICE agents show their face and identification

Service members can get un-biased information on legal vs illegal orders:

• Orders Project

Banner & Backbone Authors’ Notes

Donate to Feeding America, today!

You being here shows that you have already begun the process of unfurling new Banners and forging new Backbones for a more progressive America. Please, take the time to become a paid, or free, subscriber to the Network — supporting us all and ensuring everyone in America can hear these messages.

The America we strive for — it is one where we willingly remember the teachings of our past, humbly learn from our failings, proudly celebrate our successes, and boldly lead the way into a future for all people.

Subscribe now

Join the uncensored media at the 1A Collective.

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Today on ’s Vet Talk, welcomes back the indomitable for a discussion into the latest developments around the Trump regime’s efforts to foment a war in Venezuela, the political realignments which are rapidly developing, the importance and practicality of a multi-party system, and the need to be reminded that the highest rank in the U.S. is that of VOTER.

It is time for Citizens to unite and rally behind new banners — restoring integrity, service, and ethics.

It is time for Citizens to remind public servants they serve the public interest — not corporate greed and private profit.

It is time for Citizens to remind themselves — we tell the Parties and Government when WE HOLD ELECTIONS, not the other way around. E are a country governed by the will of the People — not the will of the Party.

Thank you , , , , , and many others for tuning into my live video with and ! Join me for my next live video in the app.

Actions You Can Take

Call your public servants on important issues:

• 5calls.org

Join the efforts to unmask law enforcement and feed America:

• safedc.info

Sign the Move-On Petitions:

• Investigate Presidential Use of the Autopen for Pardons and Executive Actions

• A Petition to End the Shutdown and Restore Representation: Remove Speaker Johnson

• Mandate that ICE agents show their face and identification

Banner & Backbone Authors’ Notes

Donate to Feeding America, today!

You being here shows that you have already begun the process of unfurling new Banners and forging new Backbones for a more progressive America. Please, take the time to become a paid, or free, subscriber to the Network — supporting us all and ensuring everyone in America can hear these messages.

The America we strive for — it is one where we willingly remember the teachings of our past, humbly learn from our failings, proudly celebrate our successes, and boldly lead the way into a future for all people.

Subscribe now

Melissa Corrigan’s reporting on the Norfolk, VA Case is made possible by the support of & .

Join the uncensored media at the 1A Collective.

Support the efforts to Unmask Law Enforcement.

Support Banner & Backbone now for only $5 a month or $50 annually!

All profits will be dedicated to uplifting powerful voices and renewing American democracy.

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Melissa’s Recording

See Related Reporting

Thank you , , , , , and many others for tuning into ’s live video with and ! Join us for our next live video in the app.

Actions You Can Take

Join the efforts to unmask law enforcement and feed America:

• safedc.info

Sign the Move-On Petitions:

• Investigate Presidential Use of the Autopen for Pardons and Executive Actions

• A Petition to End the Shutdown and Restore Representation: Remove Speaker Johnson

• Mandate that ICE agents show their face and identification

Banner & Backbone Authors’ Notes

Donate to Feeding America, today!

You being here shows that you have already begun the process of unfurling new Banners and forging new Backbones for a more progressive America. Please, take the time to become a paid, or free, subscriber to the Network — supporting us all and ensuring everyone in America can hear these messages.

The America we strive for — it is one where we willingly remember the teachings of our past, humbly learn from our failings, proudly celebrate our successes, and boldly lead the way into a future for all people.

Subscribe now

Join the uncensored media at the 1A Collective.

Support the efforts to Unmask Law Enforcement.

Support Banner & Backbone now for only $5 a month or $50 annually!

All profits will be dedicated to uplifting powerful voices and renewing American democracy.

Banner & Backbone Team

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Here are the list of the ships currently deployed to the SOUTHCOM theater (Caribbean, Central & South America) and how many personnel each carries. This represents 15,100 active duty military personnel from the US Navy and US Marine Corps who are currently deployed, including the entire FORD Strike Group who was pulled away from a routine MED deployment, leaving a vacuum of US presence there, and including ships who have been recently engaged in active naval combat with the Houthis off the coast of Yemen. Instead of resting and enjoying the holidays with their families, they are sitting off the coast of Venezuela for a mission that is unclear and unmotivating. USO information follows.

USS FORD- 4,500
USS JASON DUNHAM- 300
USS GRAVELY- 300
USS IWO JIMA- 4,500
USS SAN ANTONIO- 1,160
USS LAKE ERIE- 363
USS STOCKDALE- 380
USS GETTYSBURG- 350
USS WICHITA- 75
USS FORT LAUDERDALE- 1,100
USS MINNEAPOLIS ST PAUL- 98
USS SAMPSON- 300
[REDACTED FOR OPSEC]- 50 civilian sailors, ~170 military personnel
USS MAHAN- 300
USS WINSTON CHURCHILL- 200
USS BAINBRIDGE- 300
USS MITSCHER- 300
USS FORREST SHERMAN- 300
//

Sending USO care packages: it’s important to note that you cannot send care packages yourself unless you have the complete military address for a specific Sailor or Marine. The USO website has some options for donating and sending care packages from their Wishbook. Click here for more info.

USO CARE PACKAGE INFO

Actions You Can Take

Join the efforts to unmask law enforcement and feed America:

• safedc.info

Sign the Move-On Petitions:

• Investigate Presidential Use of the Autopen for Pardons and Executive Actions

• A Petition to End the Shutdown and Restore Representation: Remove Speaker Johnson

• Mandate that ICE agents show their face and identification

Thank you , , , , , and many others for tuning into my live video with and ! Join me for my next live video in the app.

Banner & Backbone Authors’ Notes

You being here shows that you have already begun the process of unfurling new Banners and forging new Backbones for a more progressive America. Please, take the time to become a paid, or free, subscriber to the Network — supporting us all and ensuring everyone in America can hear these messages.

The America we strive for — it is one where we willingly remember the teachings of our past, humbly learn from our failings, proudly celebrate our successes, and boldly lead the way into a future for all people.

Subscribe now

Melissa Corrigan’s reporting on the Norfolk, VA Case is made possible by the support of & .

Support the efforts to Unmask Law Enforcement.

Support Banner & Backbone now for only $5 a month or $50 annually!

All profits will be dedicated to uplifting powerful voices and renewing American democracy.

Banner & Backbone Team

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Contributor Links

• Melissa Corrigan

CounterStory Media

CounterStory Media exists to audit the narrative by giving voice to marginalized people, amplifying their stories, and sharing their truths.

By Melissa Corrigan, she/her

• Coach Cap

The Better Human Project

The Better Human Project (formerly known as A4T) is a Substack initiative to help us all grow through sharing our journeys with each other and exploring every way we can BE better and DO better!

By Coach Cap

• Nick Paro

Sick of this Shit with Nick

Hey y'all, welcome to Sick of this Shit and I'm Nick - I'm using poetry and Live discussions to discuss the intersections of politics, veteran's issues, men's issues, mental health, technology, and so much more.

By Nick Paro

Banner & Backbone

We are unfurling new Banners and forging new Backbones to restore ethics, service, and integrity to the American ethos.

Banner & Backbone Authors’ Notes

You being here shows that you have already begun the process of unfurling new Banners and forging new Backbones for a more progressive America. Please, take the time to become a paid, or free, subscriber to the Network — supporting us all and ensuring everyone in America can hear these messages.

The America we strive for — it is one where we willingly remember the teachings of our past, humbly learn from our failings, proudly celebrate our successes, and boldly lead the way into a future for all people.

Subscribe now

Support Banner & Backbone now for only $5 a month or $50 annually!

All profits will be donated to charities and foundations supporting Epstein victims or dedicated to renewing American democracy.

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Subscribe now

Melissa read her Paine- and Federalist Papers-inspired “The New Papers”, and brought the house down with how moving and powerful it is.

Melissa’s “The New Papers”, available to print. PW: “whiterose”

ACLU Pocket Constitution 10-Pack for $17.87 (availble TODAY ONLY)

Jill Lepore’s “We The People” (just released)

Thank you , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , for joining us for Vet Talk!

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Get involved in your local community and systems!

• Run For Something — show interest in running for a local or state office AND learn how to run a campaign itself.

  • Even if you don’t want to run for office yourself, this will teach you the skills needed to offer active, engaged support for other candidates.

• Indivisible — founded in response to Trump’s election - but we know that Trump is a symptom of a sick democracy, not its cause.

• Common Defense — the largest grassroots membership organization of progressive veterans standing up for our communities against the rising tide of racism, hate, and violence.

Thank you , , , , , and many others for tuning into my live video with guest and host and !

Contributor Links

News from Underground

News from Underground is a veteran-run newsletter delivering sharp political analysis that breaks through the narrative, exposes threats to democracy, and amplifies those fighting back.

By Evan Fields

Lincoln Square

Lincoln Square — a joint endeavor with The Lincoln Project — where facts, experts, fearless media, and you — the ferocious opposition — meet. Join us!

Missives from a Middle-aged Man

Musings, Rants & Essays on... Whatever I feel like writing about.

By Frederic Poag

Banner & Backbone

We are unfurling new Banners and forging new Backbones to restore ethics, service, and integrity to the American ethos.

Sick of this Shit with Nick

Hey y'all, welcome to Sick of this Shit and I'm Nick - I'm using poetry and Live discussions to discuss the intersections of politics, veteran's issues, men's issues, mental health, technology, and so much more.

By Nick Paro

Banner & Backbone Authors’ Notes

You being here shows that you have already begun the process of unfurling new Banners and forging new Backbones for a more progressive America. Please, take the time to become a paid, or free, subscriber to the Network — supporting us all and ensuring everyone in America can hear these messages.

The America we strive for — it is one where we willingly remember the teachings of our past, humbly learn from our failings, proudly celebrate our successes, and boldly lead the way into a future for all people.

Subscribe now

Support Banner & Backbone now for only $5 a month or $50 annually!

All profits will be donated to charities and foundations supporting Epstein victims or dedicated to renewing American democracy.

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On this episode we focused mostly on the Veterans Administration and the proposed policy change to strip Veterans and CHAMPVA recipients of their right to abortion access and abortion counseling.

Our ask, and your free and easy entry into civic engagement, is to leave a public comment on the proposed VA policy change — letting your voices be heard and showing how democracy works.

• https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/VA-2025-VHA-0073-0002

Thank you , , , , , and many others for tuning into my live video with , , and ! Join me for my next live video in the app.

Hey y’all, it’s — I have an unexpected ask for help from the community after my son broke his arm. We greatly appreciate the outpouring of love and support from everyone — thank you 🫶🏼

Banner & Backbone Authors’ Notes

You being here shows that you have already begun the process of unfurling new Banners and forging new Backbones for a more progressive America. Please, take the time to become a paid, or free, subscriber to the Network — supporting us all and ensuring everyone in America can hear these messages.

The America we strive for — it is one where we willingly remember the teachings of our past, humbly learn from our failings, proudly celebrate our successes, and boldly lead the way into a future for all people.

Subscribe now

Support Banner & Backbone now for only $5 a month or $50 annually!

All profits will be donated to charities and foundations supporting Epstein victims or dedicated to renewing American democracy.

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Important notes on leaving comment to oppose the discriminatory VA anti-choice rule being proposed.

The following information has been directly quoted from — veteran, advocate, and host on the Find Out Podcast — in the show notes for Why Democrats Keep Blowing It.

• Deadline: September 3, 2025

• Comment here: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/VA-2025-VHA-0073-0002

Speak from your own experience, your own values, your own understanding of what this country owes its veterans.

If you're a veteran, spouse, caregiver, or healthcare provider, your real-life experience is especially important for regulators to hear. Do not copy and paste someone else’s words. Anti-choice extremists are already doing that. We’re better than that. The government weighs unique, substantive comments more heavily. Speak in your own voice.

The team highly recommends subscribing and listening to the .

Banner & Backbone Authors’ Notes

You being here shows that you have already begun the process of unfurling new Banners and forging new Backbones for a more progressive America. Please, take the time to become a paid, or free, subscriber to the Network — supporting us all and ensuring everyone in America can hear these messages.

The America we strive for — it is one where we willingly remember the teachings of our past, humbly learn from our failings, proudly celebrate our successes, and boldly lead the way into a future for all people.

Subscribe now

Support Banner & Backbone now for only $5 a month or $50 annually!

All profits will be donated to charities and foundations supporting Epstein victims or dedicated to renewing American democracy.

Banner & Backbone Team

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Show Links

• Veterans Fighting Fascism, Antifascist Bookclub

• Banner No. 1 — Renewing Our Nation through the Power of the Citizen’s Oath

Guest

• On Offense with Kris Goldsmith

• Find Out Podcast

Hosts

• Missives from a Middle-aged Man

• Sick of this Shit with Nick

Banner & Backbone is dedicated to centering the conversation in US politics on fundamentals: the Constitution, the people, and the government that serves them both.

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