Situation Report: Honoring the True Sacrifice of Veterans on Veterans Day

On Veterans Day in the WarRoom, historian Patrick K. O’Donnell and Steve Bannon delved deep into the untold stories and lasting impacts of war on American soldiers. They discussed one of the most intense battles in U.S. Marine Corps history: the Second Battle of Fallujah. Twenty years later, it’s still hard to imagine the dedication and grit shown by the Marines who fought there. O’Donnell, who was on the ground as a volunteer combat historian, shared unforgettable memories of courage and sacrifice. His firsthand account serves as a sobering reminder of what these soldiers went through — and continue to endure today.

On Monday’s WarRoom Bannon also said that he is demanding better treatment for our veterans:

“I Want Veterans Taken Care Of”: Steve Bannon Calls Out American Globalists

The Battle of Fallujah was a brutal fight. Bannon and O’Donnell compared it to iconic battles like Iwo Jima and Chosin Reservoir, where soldiers faced immense hardship and unrelenting combat. Fallujah required Marines to go door-to-door, clearing buildings filled with insurgents, with civilians caught in the crossfire. O’Donnell recounted the story of Sergeant Aaron Kent, who, despite severe injuries, went "AWOL” from the aid station, grabbed a weapon, and returned to the frontlines. These are stories of extraordinary dedication, where soldiers pushed through fear and physical pain to protect one another. They show us a glimpse of what "brotherhood” and "sacrifice” truly mean in the thick of war.

Yet, there’s a sobering reality that O’Donnell and Bannon want us to confront: for many veterans, the struggle doesn’t end when they return home. O’Donnell revealed a staggering fact: the number of suicides among his Fallujah unit has now surpassed the number of Marines killed in action. This is a crisis of mental health that goes beyond numbers; it’s about honoring our veterans by providing them the support they need. It’s about recognizing that the battle sometimes continues long after they’ve left the battlefield. Many of these veterans return home, not to a hero’s welcome but to an economy where they struggle to find stable jobs and adapt to civilian life. Without adequate resources for mental health or financial stability, they often feel abandoned by the very nation they served.

Bannon and O’Donnell argue that this neglect is a failure of our government and society. Words of gratitude are not enough. These veterans need tangible support to ensure their sacrifices are respected and honored, not just in speeches but in action. As Bannon said, "Don’t thank anybody for their service; their thanks is in going forward as a constitutional republic.” For these veterans, respect isn’t about grand gestures — it’s about providing a path forward. It’s about seeing that their struggles are met with more than a ceremonial holiday.

O’Donnell also highlighted the impact of economics on veterans’ well-being. When the economy is down, job opportunities shrink, and veterans — many without the networks or resources of their civilian peers — are often the hardest hit. Financial strain adds another layer to an already challenging transition. O’Donnell believes this economic vulnerability is directly linked to the tragic rise in suicides among veterans. For these men and women, finding purpose and stability after combat is often just as difficult as facing the horrors of war itself.

Veterans like those who fought in Fallujah embody a unique form of heroism. Their actions on the battlefield represent a level of sacrifice that most people cannot fully comprehend. Yet, we risk turning their heroism into a burden without addressing their needs once they return home. Veterans Day must be more than a holiday; it should be a call to action. It’s a reminder that true support for veterans goes beyond symbols. It’s about building systems that prevent the post-service tragedies we see today.

For us, the message on this Veterans Day is clear: we owe our veterans more than our thanks. We owe them a future. This means better mental health services, stable employment opportunities, and a society that genuinely understands the price they paid. As Bannon and O’Donnell emphasized, honoring veterans is about upholding our duty to those who served. It’s about showing that their sacrifices mean something enduring. This is our commitment, not just on Veterans Day, but every day.

For more context, see the full segment featuring Patrick K. O’Donnell and Steve Bannon:

Patrick K. O’Donnell Discusses His Experience With Marines And His Book: ‘We Were One”