In this episode of Gold Star Stories, host Nick Letendre sits down with Andi Hefti to share the story of her brother, Sergeant Jonathan Lootens, who was killed in Iraq in 2006.
Andi opens up about the moment she got the call, the overwhelming aftermath, and what it felt like to carry the weight of planning, paperwork, and public attention—while everyone else asked how her mom was doing. Her honesty sheds light on what it means to be a Gold Star sibling, and how grief shows up in ways the world rarely sees.
This conversation explores:
- What happens after the knock at the door
- Being overlooked as a grieving sibling
- Navigating family conflict and the chaos that followed
- Finding healing and identity through TAPS
- And honoring Jonathan every year—with a sub sandwich.
This episode is about more than military service.
It’s about family. Resilience. And what it takes to carry someone’s story forward when the world expects you to move on.
🕊️ Say his name: Sergeant Jonathan Lootens
đź’› Learn more or support the mission: GoldStarStoriesUSA.com
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