Duck Call Room – “You’re My Heroes”: Uncle Si Honors Veterans

Hosts: Si Robertson, Justin Martin, Willie Robertson, Phil Robertson, John David Owen, John Godwin, Jay Stone, Phillip McMillan, Jacob Mayo
Guests: Blake Cook, Nicole
Date: November 11, 2025

Episode Overview

This special Veterans Day episode of “Duck Call Room” celebrates and honors America’s veterans. With multiple veterans—including Uncle Si, Blake Cook, and his wife Nicole—in the room, the conversation centers on the sacrifices of service members and their families, the unique struggles veterans face upon returning home, especially regarding mental health, and the vital importance of community and faith in the healing process. The episode is heartfelt, candid, and laced with the trademark warmth and humor of the Duck Commander crew, balancing heavy truths with camaraderie and practical advice.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Opening Banter & Holiday Talk (00:00-20:45)

• Ren Faire & Custom Netflix (00:15-05:00)

  • Hunter Nicknerd shares stories of attending a Ren Faire in pirate costume.

  • Martin discusses Hunter’s custom-built movie streaming server—a “new age Blockbuster.”

  • Laughter about storing old DVDs and Christmas light vibes in Hunter’s apartment.

    “Hunter’s like a little new age Blockbuster just hanging out over there, trying to be a little walking around Red Box, baby.”
    — Martin, (03:30)

• Seasonal Change & Duck Hunting (03:54-06:10)

  • The crew chats about the cold front, the arrival of ducks, and getting ready for hunting season.
  • Reference to the ease of buying duck stamps online.

• Holiday Foods & Cooking Mishaps (06:10-16:45)

  • Lively conversation about Thanksgiving preparations, favorite foods (turkey, dressing, fun-size Snickers, Bucky’s chocolate pecans), and friendly debates on chili thickness and ingredients.

  • Martin recounts a failed cornbread flip, sparking laughter.

    “I thought I had it perfect and the bottom just said got too hot.”
    — Martin, (11:56)

Veterans Day Tribute – Honoring Service & Sacrifice (20:45-55:55)

The Hidden Cost: Families Serve Too (21:03-23:16)

• Phil and Uncle Si stress the sacrifices of military families:

  • The toll on spouses and children when a loved one deploys.
  • The unseen burdens families carry, which civilians often don’t realize.

  “Thank you for your service, because when dad is deployed…you’re in, too. Most people don’t realize that if they don’t know someone in the military.”
  — Phil Robertson, (21:15)

Brotherhood, Trauma, and Coming Home (23:17-35:42)

• Shared Trauma and Brotherhood:

  • The deep, familial bond between service members, especially those who’ve seen combat.
  • Uncle Si shares a story about his grandfather, a WWII vet, and the long-lasting impact of service.

  “They had company commanders that was 21 years old ordering men through their death.”
  — Uncle Si, (27:00)

• Coming Home to No Support:

  • Historical perspective on how WWII, Vietnam, and Korean veterans were (or were not) welcomed home.
  • The lack of therapy and support, especially for Vietnam and Korean vets—sometimes facing open hostility.

  “You get deployed to Vietnam…you come home, and people are spitting on you. The disrespect…the abuse that Vietnam veterans took.”
  — Uncle Si, (29:29)

Living with Trauma: The Veteran Experience (32:13-41:12)

• Life After Combat:

  • Blake and Nicole’s honest testimony about how war changes you, and the ripples it sends through families.
  • Nicole describes the traumatic transformation of a returning spouse.

  “They left one person and came back a totally different person…You just don’t see that person you married again.”—Nicole, (35:00)

• Suicide, Mental Health, and Finding Help:

  • Stories about PTSD, struggling to adapt, and the challenge of seeking help.
  • Emphasis on the necessity for veterans to look out for each other—and the importance of faith and specialized programs.

  “It's hard to ask for help…but there are programs out there. The Mighty Oaks Foundation…their success rate is far beyond any other program.”
  — Uncle Si, (37:41)

  “If you’re struggling mentally…you’ve got to put the bottle down and pick up the Bible. When you’re drinking you’re running from something. When you pick the Bible up, you’re running to something.”
  — Blake Cook, (39:31)

Faith, Healing, and Sharing Stories (41:12-55:55)

• The Power of Faith and Testimony:

  • Phil recounts speaking to troops about hope—referencing Jeremiah 29:11.
  • Multiple reminders: there’s hope, don’t harm yourself.

  “You have no idea the plans I have for you—not to harm you, but to bless you and give you hope and a future.”
  — Phil Robertson quoting Jeremiah 29:11, (40:58)

• Duck Dynasty’s Unexpected Impact:

  • Blake shares how watching Duck Dynasty “kept him alive” during his darkest times, providing comfort and reminding him of hope and faith.

  “Duck Dynasty and you guys…like, we talk about veteran suicide—y’all kept me alive. Y’all don’t even know it…It wasn’t that y’all talked about Jesus. It was Jesus poured out of y’all.”
  — Blake Cook, (44:34)

• Encouragement & Final Pleas to Veterans:

  • All speakers urge veterans to reach out, not give up, find community, and embrace faith.
  • Uncle Si and Phil point listeners to the Mighty Oaks Foundation.
  • Nicole shares a simple, powerful strategy: “If today sucks, just wait one more day.” (55:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Military Families:
  “Thank you for serving with him. Because he’s in, you’re in too.”
  — Phil Robertson, (21:15)

• On the legacy of WWII veterans:
  “There’ll never be another generation because they gave…they crossed an ocean for people they had never met.”
  — Uncle Si, (25:46)

• On “changing” after deployment:
  “I was this innocent kid from the country…I came back home and I’ve been different ever since.”
  — Blake Cook, (32:40)

• On Duck Dynasty’s impact:
  “Y’all kept me alive. Y’all don’t even know it…It wasn’t that y’all talked about Jesus. It was Jesus poured out of y’all when you spoke.”
  — Blake Cook, (44:34)

• On hope and purpose for hurting veterans:
  “Please, take my advice. Get help from another veteran or your friends. Please do not harm yourself. God has a plan and a purpose for you.”
  — Phil Robertson, (54:46)

• On waiting out the pain:
  “Today sucks, just wait one more day.”
  — Nicole, (55:40)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:00-04:00 – Opening banter, Ren Faire stories, Hunter’s home movie server
• 04:00-10:00 – Duck season talk, holiday food and getting ready for Thanksgiving
• 10:00-20:45 – Cooking mishaps, food traditions, transitions into Veterans Day discussion
• 21:03-23:16 – Recognizing military families’ sacrifices
• 23:17-29:29 – Stories of service, coming home, and being misunderstood
• 29:30-35:42 – The special trauma of Vietnam vets, shifts in public perception
• 35:43-41:12 – Struggles of returning to family, PTSD, importance of seeking help
• 41:13-55:55 – Messages of faith, testimonies, impact of Duck Dynasty, encouragement to reach out
• 55:55-end – Final advice: faith, hope, waiting, thanks, and sign-off

Tone & Takeaways

The mood is an engaging blend of nostalgic, light-hearted banter and deep, emotional vulnerability. The crew skillfully navigates the challenges and triumphs of veterans with characteristic humor, empathy, and grounded Christian faith. Listeners are left with practical encouragements for those struggling—especially veterans—and a genuine gratitude for service past and present.

Recommended Resources Mentioned

• Mighty Oaks Foundation – Veteran-focused PTSD recovery organization
• Celebrate Recovery – Faith-based recovery program

Final Thoughts

This episode resonates as both a tribute and a call to action. It honors not only those who serve but the families who serve alongside, and it issues a compassionate challenge: veterans, you are not alone, you are loved, and your story isn’t finished. Seek help, find brotherhood, and know there is always hope.

“You can’t have a testimony without being put through a test.”
— Blake Cook, (46:43)