The Colbert Report Season 2 Episode 58 Paul Rieckhoff

In season 2 episode 58 of The Colbert Report, host Stephen Colbert welcomes Iraq War veteran and founder of the non-profit organization Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Paul Rieckhoff. The episode opens with Colbert introducing Rieckhoff as a "true American hero" and teasing the audience with jokes about his own lack of military service.

Colbert and Rieckhoff engage in a spirited conversation about the current state of the military and veterans' affairs, with Rieckhoff weighing in on topics such as the use of private military contractors, the VA healthcare system, and the ongoing conflict in Iraq. The conversation is lively and topical, with both men offering their insights and opinions on the issues at hand.

Throughout the episode, Colbert also takes the opportunity to poke fun at Rieckhoff's profession as a veterans' advocate, teasing him that he must have a "rockin' rooftop party" every Veterans Day. Rieckhoff takes the ribbing in stride, however, and uses the opportunity to highlight some of the more serious challenges faced by returning veterans, such as PTSD and the suicide epidemic.

As the interview winds down, Colbert offers Rieckhoff an opportunity to promote his organization, IAVA, and encourages the audience to get involved and make a difference in the lives of our nation's veterans. The episode ends with a poignant segment in which Colbert reads the names of fallen soldiers as Rieckhoff looks on, silently acknowledging their sacrifice.

Overall, season 2 episode 58 of The Colbert Report is a thought-provoking and engaging discourse on the current state of veterans' affairs, anchored by the insights and expertise of a true American hero in Paul Rieckhoff.