{"id":5855,"date":"2025-09-11T07:01:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T07:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/351-rob-serra-fdny-ret-the-annual-9-11-show-2025-has-american-forgotten-the-stories-the-heroes-the-controversies-the-politicization-the-never-ending-fight-for-healthcare-and-the-mission\/"},"modified":"2025-09-11T07:01:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T07:01:00","slug":"351-rob-serra-fdny-ret-the-annual-9-11-show-2025-has-american-forgotten-the-stories-the-heroes-the-controversies-the-politicization-the-never-ending-fight-for-healthcare-and-the-mission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/351-rob-serra-fdny-ret-the-annual-9-11-show-2025-has-american-forgotten-the-stories-the-heroes-the-controversies-the-politicization-the-never-ending-fight-for-healthcare-and-the-mission\/","title":{"rendered":"351. Rob Serra, FDNY (Ret.). The Annual 9\/11 Show. 2025: Has American Forgotten? The Stories, The Heroes, The Controversies, The Politicization, The Never Ending Fight For Healthcare, And The Mission To Teach The Next Generation."},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/playlist.megaphone.fm\/?e=\" width=\"100%\" height=\"210\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve listened to this show over the years, chances are that you\u2019ve heard our guest. If you haven\u2019t, get ready for a solid dose of the straight up good stuff. Rob Serra (<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/serrarob\"><u>@SerraRob<\/u><\/a>) is back for the annual 9\/11 episode and this one hits hard. Host and founder Paul Rieckhoff (<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PaulRieckhoff\"><u>@PaulRieckhoff<\/u><\/a>) was there at Ground Zero on 9\/11. So was Rob. It was famously his first day on the job. Yes, you read that right, his first day as a New York City firefighter was Tuesday, September 11th, 2001.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>They didn\u2019t meet then, but they were both there and it\u2019s played a massive role in their lives and indeed in the lives of every American. If you weren\u2019t alive then, it\u2019s hard to explain how much the world has changed as a result (more on that in the podcast). But they were there. In the middle of all of the destruction. And listening to them discuss what happened then and what has happened since can teach us all about what it means to be an American\u2014 the good and the bad. And as the country experiences the staggering effects of more political violence, and seems more divided than ever, this is a conversation everyone needs to listen to and absorb.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a gut-check on a nation grappling with its past and its future. It&#8217;s a raw, authentic conversation about service, sacrifice, and the enduring fight for those who ran toward the fire and the driving call behind why we must always stay vigilant.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Every episode of <a href=\"https:\/\/independentamericans.us\/\"><em>Independent Americans<\/em><\/a> with Paul Rieckhoff (<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PaulRieckhoff\"><u>@PaulRieckhoff<\/u><\/a>) breaks down the most important news stories\u2013and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It\u2019s independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, <em>Independent Americans <\/em>is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve\u2013and stay vigilant.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Go Deeper:<\/p>\n<p>Hear Paul\u2019s full conversation with <a href=\"https:\/\/independentamericans.us\/77-rob-serra-fdny-with-america-on-fire-our-favorite-firefighter-hero-returns-west-coast-wildfires-burn-pits-neverforget-forgotten-this-9-11-jon-stewarts-fire-covid-burning-first-res\/\"><u>Rob Serra from Episode 2<\/u><\/a> of Independent Americans.<\/p>\n<p>Hear Rob\u2019s full conversation with <a href=\"https:\/\/thefirefighters.us\/richard-naviasky-inside-9-11-the-deutsche-bank-fire-the-halloween-terrorist-attack-facing-the-flames-staying-positive\/\"><u>Richard Naviasky from Episode 1<\/u><\/a> of The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, FDNY (Ret.).<\/p>\n<p>Hear Rob\u2019s full conversation with <a href=\"https:\/\/thefirefighters.us\/joseph-cammarata-nypd-and-fdny-veteran-remembering-his-brother-on-9-11-finding-hope-heroes-in-the-chaos-the-epic-hockey-heroes-at-msg-recap\/\"><u>Joseph Cammarata from Episode 2<\/u><\/a> of The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, FDNY (Ret.).<\/p>\n<p>Hear Rob\u2019s full conversation with <a href=\"https:\/\/thefirefighters.us\/al-barry-from-hip-hop-radio-star-to-the-fdny-inside-the-north-tower-collapse-flavor-flav-visits-the-firehouse-frankie-makes-sunday-sauce\/\"><u>Al Barry from Episode 15<\/u><\/a> of The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, FDNY (Ret.).<\/p>\n<p>Hear Rob\u2019s full conversation with <a href=\"https:\/\/thefirefighters.us\/lila-nordstrom-the-sick-children-of-9-11-three-firefighters-dead-in-baltimore-some-kids-left-behind-who-profits-from-the-waiting-game-new-kitchen-new-recipe-frankies-back\/\"><u>Lila Nordstrom from Episode 14<\/u><\/a> of The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, FDNY (Ret.).<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/gPXWhTbZoB0\"><u>WATCH video of Paul and Rob\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><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><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><strong>Ways to listen:Social channels:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href=\"https:\/\/pcm.adswizz.com\">pcm.adswizz.com<\/a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019ve listened to this show over the years, chances are that you\u2019ve heard our guest. If you haven\u2019t, get ready for a solid dose of the straight up good stuff. Rob Serra (@SerraRob) is back for the annual 9\/11 episode and this one hits hard. Host and founder Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) was there at Ground Zero on 9\/11. So was Rob. It was famously his first day on the job. Yes, you read that right, his first day as a New York City firefighter was Tuesday, September 11th, 2001.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>They didn\u2019t meet then, but they were both there and it\u2019s played a massive role in their lives and indeed in the lives of every American. If you weren\u2019t alive then, it\u2019s hard to explain how much the world has changed as a result (more on that in the podcast). But they were there. In the middle of all of the destruction. And listening to them discuss what happened then and what has happened since can teach us all about what it means to be an American\u2014 the good and the bad. And as the country experiences the staggering effects of more political violence, and seems more divided than ever, this is a conversation everyone needs to listen to and absorb.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a gut-check on a nation grappling with its past and its future. It&#8217;s a raw, authentic conversation about service, sacrifice, and the enduring fight for those who ran toward the fire and the driving call behind why we must always stay vigilant.<\/p>\n<p>Every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) breaks down the most important news stories\u2013and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It\u2019s independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve\u2013and stay vigilant.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Go Deeper:<\/p>\n<p>Hear Paul\u2019s full conversation with Rob Serra from Episode 2 of Independent Americans.<\/p>\n<p>Hear Rob\u2019s full conversation with Richard Naviasky from Episode 1 of The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, FDNY (Ret.).<\/p>\n<p>Hear Rob\u2019s full conversation with Joseph Cammarata from Episode 2 of The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, FDNY (Ret.).<\/p>\n<p>Hear Rob\u2019s full conversation with Al Barry from Episode 15 of The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, FDNY (Ret.).<\/p>\n<p>Hear Rob\u2019s full conversation with Lila Nordstrom from Episode 14 of The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, FDNY (Ret.).<\/p>\n<p>-WATCH video of Paul and Rob\u2019s conversation.<\/p>\n<p>-Learn more about Independent Veterans of America and all of the IVA candidates.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>-Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community 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 #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>-Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>-Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel &#8211; The OG of Weed and B Dorm.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.<\/p>\n<p>Spotify: https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXe<\/p>\n<p>Apple Podcasts: https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff\/id1457899667<\/p>\n<p>Amazon Podcasts: https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff<\/p>\n<p>Ways to watch:<\/p>\n<p>YouTube: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@independentamericans<\/p>\n<p>Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/IndependentAmericansUS\/<\/p>\n<p>X\/Twitter: https:\/\/x.com\/indy_americans<\/p>\n<p>BlueSky: https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/indyamericans.bsky.social<\/p>\n<p>Facebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IndependentAmericansUS\/<\/p>\n<p>Ways to listen:Social channels:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5872,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5855","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\/09\/4eabd3ddb596a4610ac488be1c6dc900-1.jpg",1400,1400,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/4eabd3ddb596a4610ac488be1c6dc900-1.jpg",1400,1400,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/4eabd3ddb596a4610ac488be1c6dc900-1.jpg",1400,1400,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/4eabd3ddb596a4610ac488be1c6dc900-1-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/4eabd3ddb596a4610ac488be1c6dc900-1-300x300.jpg",300,300,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/4eabd3ddb596a4610ac488be1c6dc900-1-1024x1024.jpg",750,750,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/4eabd3ddb596a4610ac488be1c6dc900-1.jpg",1400,1400,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/4eabd3ddb596a4610ac488be1c6dc900-1.jpg",1400,1400,false],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/4eabd3ddb596a4610ac488be1c6dc900-1.jpg",1400,1400,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":"If you\u2019ve listened to this show over the years, chances are that you\u2019ve heard our guest. If you haven\u2019t, get ready for a solid dose of the straight up good stuff. Rob Serra (@SerraRob) is back for the annual 9\/11 episode and this one hits hard. Host and founder Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) was there at&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5855","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=5855"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5855\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5855"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5855"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5855"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}