Podcast Summary: Bannon's War Room

Episode 4918: WarRoom Veterans Day Special 2015 Cont.

Date: November 11, 2025
Host: Steve K. Bannon
Guests: Patrick K. O’Donnell, Doug Collins, Paul Shipley, Vice President of the United States
Focus: The history, significance, and meaning of Veterans Day, American military spirit, and honoring veterans past and present, with live coverage from Arlington National Cemetery.

Episode Overview

This Veterans Day Special centers on the origins and transformation of Armistice Day to Veterans Day, the enduring legacy of American service members, and the sacred observances at Arlington National Cemetery. Steve Bannon leads in-depth discussions with military historian Patrick K. O'Donnell, VA Secretary Doug Collins, National Commander of AMVETS Paul Shipley, and the Vice President. The episode captures both historical context and contemporary issues facing veterans, interwoven with moving live ceremonies and official remarks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Armistice Day to Veterans Day: Historical Foundations

• Armistice Day Origin and Importance

  • Steve K. Bannon (00:50): Recalls Armistice Day as marking "the armistice that was supposed to end the war... fought to end all future wars."
  • Patrick K. O'Donnell (03:06): Highlights U.S. emergence as a world power post-WWI, the horrors of trench warfare, and the deep impact on the national psyche.

    “Arms to Stay comes about on November 11th at the 11th hour, the 11th minute, where the guns fall silent and they fall silent on the Western Front. And they're searching for a way to sort of commemorate those who have served in the Great War.” (03:35)

• Transition to Veterans Day

  • Steve K. Bannon (04:16): Notes Eisenhower's authority in declaring the day for all veterans, not just WWI.
  • Patrick K. O'Donnell (04:52):

    “We shifted in June 1, 1954, to Veterans Day to honor… all veterans who have served. And the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier…is sort of the ultimate recognition of that service for all veterans.”

2. Commemorating the Fallen and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

• Creation and Symbolism

  • Patrick K. O'Donnell (05:53): Describes the origins: inspired by French and British traditions, driven by public advocacy and key figures like Marie Maloney and Congressman Hamilton Fish.
  • Selection process was painstaking, ensuring anonymity and total representation for the unidentified dead.
  • The honor of selecting the unknown fell to Sergeant Edward F. Younger.

• The Tomb’s Place in American Memory

  • O'Donnell (38:51):

    "Arlington is the most sacred of all sacred grounds... after the American Civil War, Lee's mansion was taken over and the dead of the war were buried in and around its grounds. It continues to this day, the Tomb of the Unknown...is commemorated...bringing together of the country."

  • Describes dramatic transport of remains, processions, and inclusion of diverse American groups, including Native Americans, in the dedication ceremonies.

3. The Spirit and Sacrifice of American Soldiers

• From WWI to Present Conflicts
  • Steve K. Bannon (11:09): Reflects on America’s transformation from a "tiny" post-Civil War army to a formidable force in WWI.
  • Doug Collins (12:33):

    “We win every battle on the battlefield. We win it all. The politicians take the victory away from the American people, not from the soldiers. Because on the ground, we win always.”

4. Veterans in Modern America: Service, Sacrifice, and Support

• VA Secretary Doug Collins’ Reminders

  • (54:13) Shares personal stories of veterans, emphasizing ordinary people performing extraordinary acts.
  • Asserts,

    “Veterans do not get anything from this country. They have earned everything that they are getting, and I am committed to making sure they will always have that from this administration and this VA.” (57:23)

• AMVETS Commander Paul Shipley

  • (50:15) Emphasizes priorities such as suicide prevention, homelessness, POW/MIA awareness, support for veteran families, and challenges listeners to support veterans in actionable ways.

5. Lessons for Leaders and the General Public

• Vice President’s Message (59:31):
  • To veterans:

    "Every single person who put on the uniform of this nation deserves our gratitude on this day especially. But every day."

  • To leaders:

    “...Every time we ask our nation's military to go off to war, we give them the training, we give them the resources, and we give them what they need to kick the enemy's rear end and to come back home safely and quickly.”

  • To the public: Simple gestures of gratitude are powerful, encourage everyday acts like buying a meal for a veteran or expressing thanks.

Notable Quotes by Timestamp

• Steve K. Bannon:

  • "This is the primal scream of a dying regime. Pray for our enemies because we're going." (00:02)
  • "Ask yourself, what is my task and what is my purpose? If that answer is to save my country, this country will be saved." (00:34)

• Patrick K. O'Donnell:

  • "World War I is where the United States becomes a superpower, a financial superpower, an economic superpower, and it's the American expeditionary force in 1918 that smashes the Hindenburg line and breaks open the Western Front." (03:06)
  • "The Old guard's one of our oldest units. And the guarding of the tomb dates back to the mid to late 1920s..." (20:36)

• Doug Collins:

  • "We win every battle on the battlefield. We win it all. The politicians take the victory away from the American people, not from the soldiers. Because on the ground we win always." (12:33)
  • "Veterans do not get anything from this country. They have earned everything that they are getting, and I am committed to making sure they will always have that from this administration and this VA." (57:23)
  • Tells the story of a deployed new mother, highlighting the selflessness and commitment of today’s soldiers (54:13–56:20).

• Vice President of the United States:

  • "Every single person who put on the uniform of this nation deserves our gratitude on this day especially. But every day." (59:53)
  • "The most important natural resource that we have is that...young people…sign up to put on the uniform and risk their lives for their fellow citizens. That is a resource we cannot squander." (60:30)

• Paul Shipley:

  • "...supporting our veterans is not just a duty, it's a reflection of our gratitude and respect." (52:26)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:50 – Early discussion: Origin and consequences of Armistice Day, link to WWI and WWII.
• 03:06 – O'Donnell on America’s WWI transformation, meaning of Armistice Day.
• 04:52 – Historical shift to Veterans Day and meaning of the Tomb of the Unknown.
• 05:53 – In-depth process of commemorating unknown soldiers.
• 11:09 – Bannon and O'Donnell: Building and deploying the U.S. Army in WWI.
• 12:33 – Doug Collins: On battlefield victories and frustrations with politics.
• 20:36 – History and importance of The Old Guard at Arlington.
• 38:51 – O'Donnell: Arlington’s significance; Tomb of the Unknown ceremony.
• 54:13 – VA Secretary Doug Collins’ speech: modern veteran stories, VA reforms.
• 59:31 – Vice President's remarks: Gratitude, duty of political leaders, public actions.

Memorable Moments

• The retelling of Sergeant Younger's selection of the Unknown Soldier and the ceremonial drama of bringing an anonymous hero home (05:53–09:50).
• The live ceremonial interludes and the recitation of the Battle Hymn of the Republic on the Arlington grounds (25:03–28:57).
• Doug Collins’ moving story of a deployed new mother (54:13), highlighting the sacrifices of modern veterans.
• Vice President's threefold directive: to veterans, political leaders, and all Americans—emphasizing gratitude, responsibility, and simple acts of support (59:31–62:00).

Summary

Bannon’s War Room special Veterans Day episode is a comprehensive, emotionally charged tribute blending history, live ceremony, and reflection. It conveys the profound cost and value of military service, the evolution of remembrance, and the ongoing need for support and gratitude. Through personal stories, penetrating history, and solemn ceremony, the episode embodies the spirit and solemnity of Veterans Day for 2025—honoring those who served, supporting those who still do, and reminding all Americans of the duties tied to freedom.