{"id":5748,"date":"2025-08-14T07:01:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T07:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/347-david-bellavia-replay-the-sole-living-medal-of-honor-recipient-of-the-iraq-war-combat-is-not-like-the-movies-whos-a-bigger-threat-libertarians-or-liberals-time-does-not-heal-all\/"},"modified":"2025-08-14T07:01:00","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T07:01:00","slug":"347-david-bellavia-replay-the-sole-living-medal-of-honor-recipient-of-the-iraq-war-combat-is-not-like-the-movies-whos-a-bigger-threat-libertarians-or-liberals-time-does-not-heal-all","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/347-david-bellavia-replay-the-sole-living-medal-of-honor-recipient-of-the-iraq-war-combat-is-not-like-the-movies-whos-a-bigger-threat-libertarians-or-liberals-time-does-not-heal-all\/","title":{"rendered":"347. David Bellavia (Replay). The Sole Living Medal of Honor Recipient of the Iraq War. Combat is Not Like The Movies. Who\u2019s A Bigger Threat &#8211; Libertarians or Liberals? Time Does Not Heal All Wounds. Live the Life You\u2019re Supposed to Live."},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/playlist.megaphone.fm\/?e=ANA2713347725\" width=\"100%\" height=\"210\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Our throwback August continues as we go way back to <a href=\"https:\/\/independentamericans.us\/33-david-bellavia-the-sole-living-medal-of-honor-recipient-of-the-iraq-war-combat-is-not-like-the-movies-the-future-of-the-republican-party-protesting-trump-at-the-veterans-day-parade-the-impeac\/\"><u>Episode 33<\/u><\/a> with Paul\u2019s fascinating conversation with the sole living Medal of Honor Recipient from the Iraq War. It\u2019s a hell of a distinction\u2013and a hell of a conversation. Take some time and listen to this timeless talk about war, humanity and the drive to push forward, even after horrific loss. From inside the very cool Classic Car Club in Manhattan. <\/p>\n<p>In a raw and powerful conversation, Paul sits down with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cmohs.org\/recipients\/david-g-bellavia\"><u>David Bellavia<\/u><\/a>, the first living Medal of Honor recipient for the Iraq War. David is a man Paul has known for years and a true American hero. But this isn&#8217;t a conversation about glory and medals; it&#8217;s a raw, honest discussion about the weight of sacrifice, the nature of heroism, and the deep, often painful, bonds forged in combat.<\/p>\n<p>Bellavia, an unapologetic conservative and proud New Yorker, doesn&#8217;t shy away from the hard truths. He reflects on his time in Iraq, the emotional burden of the Medal of Honor, and the painful division among veterans that &#8220;ripped the soul&#8221; out of him.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This is a candid discussion about the complexities of a war many Americans want to forget, the burden of being a &#8220;courier&#8221; for the fallen, and the love and loyalty that truly fuel a soldier&#8217;s fight. Bellavia\u2019s perspective is a crucial reminder that at the end of the day, it\u2019s not about politics\u2014it&#8217;s about the men and women to your left and right. And it\u2019s good perspective and inspiration to absorb as we get into the final weeks of summer. And be sure to watch on YouTube and see Paul and David check out some classic cars!\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/AaKPGvDifJc\"><u>WATCH video of Paul and David\u2019s conversation.<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<p>-Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/independentveteransofamerica.org\/\"><u>Independent Veterans of America<\/u><\/a> and all of <a href=\"https:\/\/independentveteransofamerica.org\/candidates\/\"><u>the IVA candidates<\/u><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/independentamericans\/posts\"><u>Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community<\/u><\/a> 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>-Check the hashtag <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/search?q=%23LookForTheHelpers&amp;src=typed_query\"><u>#LookForTheHelpers<\/u><\/a>. And share yours.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>-Find us on social media or <a href=\"http:\/\/www.independentamericans.us\"><u><a href=\"http:\/\/www.IndependentAmericans.us\" rel=\"nofollow\">http:\/\/www.IndependentAmericans.us<\/a><\/u><\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/independentamericans.us\/merch\/\"><u>And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch<\/u><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>-Check out other Righteous podcasts like <a href=\"https:\/\/thefirefighters.us\/\"><u>The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra<\/u><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/unclemontel.us\/\"><u>Uncle Montel &#8211; The OG of Weed<\/u><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/bdorm.us\/\"><u>B Dorm<\/u><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led <a href=\"https:\/\/righteous.us\/\"><u>Righteous Media<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ways to listen:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Spotify: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXe\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXe<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Apple Podcasts: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff\/id1457899667\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff\/id1457899667<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Amazon Podcasts: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff\"><u><a href=\"https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff<\/a><\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ways to watch:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>YouTube: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@independentamericans\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@independentamericans<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Instagram: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/IndependentAmericansUS\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/IndependentAmericansUS\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Social channels:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>X\/Twitter:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/indy_americans\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/x.com\/indy_americans<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>BlueSky:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/indyamericans.bsky.social\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/indyamericans.bsky.social<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Facebook:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IndependentAmericansUS\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IndependentAmericansUS\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/megaphone.fm\/adchoices\">megaphone.fm\/adchoices<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our throwback August continues as we go way back to Episode 33 with Paul\u2019s fascinating conversation with the sole living Medal of Honor Recipient from the Iraq War. It\u2019s a hell of a distinction\u2013and a hell of a conversation. Take some time and listen to this timeless talk about war, humanity and the drive to&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/347-david-bellavia-replay-the-sole-living-medal-of-honor-recipient-of-the-iraq-war-combat-is-not-like-the-movies-whos-a-bigger-threat-libertarians-or-liberals-time-does-not-heal-all\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">347. David Bellavia (Replay). The Sole Living Medal of Honor Recipient of the Iraq War. Combat is Not Like The Movies. Who\u2019s A Bigger Threat &#8211; Libertarians or Liberals? Time Does Not Heal All Wounds. Live the Life You\u2019re Supposed to Live.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5749,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5748","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-episodes","entry"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0ab48b9e912d0ecd540edfe4402cb97d.jpg",800,800,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0ab48b9e912d0ecd540edfe4402cb97d.jpg",800,800,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0ab48b9e912d0ecd540edfe4402cb97d.jpg",800,800,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0ab48b9e912d0ecd540edfe4402cb97d-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0ab48b9e912d0ecd540edfe4402cb97d-300x300.jpg",300,300,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0ab48b9e912d0ecd540edfe4402cb97d.jpg",750,750,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0ab48b9e912d0ecd540edfe4402cb97d.jpg",800,800,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0ab48b9e912d0ecd540edfe4402cb97d.jpg",800,800,false],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0ab48b9e912d0ecd540edfe4402cb97d.jpg",800,800,false]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/author\/admin\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/category\/episodes\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Episodes<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Our throwback August continues as we go way back to Episode 33 with Paul\u2019s fascinating conversation with the sole living Medal of Honor Recipient from the Iraq War. It\u2019s a hell of a distinction\u2013and a hell of a conversation. Take some time and listen to this timeless talk about war, humanity and the drive to&hellip;&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5748","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5748"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5748\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5749"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5748"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5748"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5748"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}