What does it mean to lose your big brother, your protector, and your best friend at just 16 years old?

In this emotional episode of Gold Star Stories, Nick Letendre sits down with Angelica Marta, whose older brother, Specialist Orlando Antonio Perez, was killed in action in Iraq in 2008. Orlando wasn’t just a soldier—he was a hilarious, thick-glasses-wearing, shoelace-tying big brother who made every room brighter just by being in it.

Angelica shares what it was like getting “the knock” no one ever wants to get, the emotional weight of being a forgotten sibling, and the beauty she found in grief. From WWE moves and ironing his clothes every morning to the Patriot Guard’s flags waving for his return, this is a story of sibling love, loss, and resilience.

If you’ve ever loved a sibling deeply—or felt invisible in your grief—this episode is for you.

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In this emotional and eye-opening episode, Nick Letendre sits down with Nicole, a Marine Corps mom, educator, and fierce advocate, to honor the life of her son, Sergeant Colin Arslanbas—a Recon Marine who died during a preventable training accident in North Carolina.

Colin was more than a Marine. He was a husband, a big brother, a soon-to-be dad, and the kind of guy who made people laugh even in the most serious moments. Nicole shares his story—from childhood memories to leadership failures that led to his death. This episode is not just about grief—it’s about truth, accountability, and a mother’s unshakable love.

From broken equipment to ignored safety protocols, Nicole exposes the systemic issues that contributed to her son’s death and raises the uncomfortable but necessary questions about how we train our elite forces. It’s a heartbreaking, raw, and courageous conversation that will stay with you long after it ends.

Due to production limitations, this episode lacks our usual intro/outro—but your support can help us fix that. If this story moved you, share it. Say Colin’s name. And don’t let silence be the final word.

To Colin. You deserved better.

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When a soldier comes home, the war isn’t always over. In this powerful episode of Gold Star Stories, Nick Letendre sits down with Natalie Brett, widow of Sergeant Daniel Brett—an Army MP, a devoted husband and father, and a man whose battle with invisible wounds ended in tragedy.

Natalie shares the full story: not just of Daniel’s death by suicide in 2023, but of his life—his humor, his love, his service, and the unbearable pressure he faced in the civilian world. This episode dives into the aftermath that so few talk about: the stigma around military suicide, the lack of support for grieving families, and the quiet devastation that follows when a hero falls after the war.

She also opens up about her work with Green Star Families, her mission to honor Daniel’s legacy, and her determination to be the voice of the aftermath.

This episode isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. Because if we say we support our troops, that must include the ones fighting battles we cannot see—and the families left behind.

🔔 If this story moved you, please share it. Break the silence. End the stigma. Say their names.

🍻 Final Toast:

To Sergeant Daniel Brett—a protector, a warrior, a father, a husband. And to Natalie, for her courage, clarity, and relentless love.

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