Podcast Summary: Holmberg's Morning Sickness — Reading Letters to Veterans from Zaharis Elementary

Episode: 11-11-25
Date: November 11, 2025
Host(s): John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Theme: Celebrating Veterans Day by reading heartfelt and often humorous letters written by elementary students to U.S. veterans.

Episode Overview

This Veterans Day edition of Holmberg's Morning Sickness features the beloved annual tradition where the hosts read real letters from Mesa’s Zaharis Elementary School students, addressed to military veterans. The letters—by turns sweet, misspelled, and unintentionally hilarious—are read aloud verbatim, providing laughter, appreciation, and poignant moments of gratitude to those who serve. The mood of the episode is also tinged with somberness as the team rallies around Bret Vesely, who lost his father the night before.

Key Discussion Points and Segments

Emotional Check-in & Show’s Veterans Day Tradition

[01:13 – 03:28]

• John Holmberg acknowledges the somber mood due to Bret Vesely’s personal loss, while expressing gratitude for the show's long-running listener support.
• Listeners send consoling messages to Bret, blending heartfelt condolences with the show's trademark irreverence.

Quote:
"That's what we do. That's what this show is. We go through it, too. And we have to, you know, force ourselves forward and then mourn appropriately." — John Holmberg [01:48]

• The team introduces their Veterans Day tradition: reading letters from Zaharis Elementary students, an activity begun when a teacher (Lisa) noticed the creative writing exercises.

Reading the Letters: Humor, Heart, and Great American Misspellings

[03:30 – 26:57]

Introduction to the Letters

[03:43 – 04:52]

• The hosts explain how the tradition started, with teachers soliciting letters as writing exercises.
• Most letters are read verbatim, highlighting endearing mistakes, misspellings, and literal interpretations.

Early “Gems”

[04:53 – 07:27]

• Letters show off adorable misspellings (“milutri” for “military”, “harrows” for “heroes”) and cryptic gratitude.
• The hosts playfully attempt to decipher and interpret the earnest thanks.

Quote:
"Thank you, herros of the Milutri. That says M-I-L-L-U-T-R-E. Milutri." — John Holmberg [04:53]

• Jokes about handwriting and kids' logic ensue (“Brady, did you write this?”).

Literal Kids & Running Themes

[08:07 – 10:13]

• Multiple letters repeat phrases like "Thank you hero" and express sorrow that veterans "don't get holidays," suggesting literal interpretation of class instructions.

Quote:
"There's a theme of they don't think they get Christmas or holidays." — Dick Toledo [08:41]

Accidental Comedy & Innocence in Letters

[10:13 – 13:37]

• Kids struggle with spelling ("apricoat you" for "appreciate you", "Amaraka" for "America").
• Some attempt to include politics by drawing many flags or referencing cable news.
• The hosts riff on the jokes, poking fun at “Cupcake, the company” (from “cupcake” in the corner of a note).

Standout Youthful Patriotism

[12:03 – 13:37]

• A letter hilariously claims the child is “drunk” on America (“My Name's Aiden I'm 8 years old and I am drunk Mamreka!”).
• Hosts marvel at the creative misinterpretation and laugh about the coloring efforts and “review” ratings (a flag with a single star marked “only one star”).

Quote:
"You heard me, my Name's Aiden, I'm 8 years old and I am drunk Mamreka!" — John Holmberg [12:01]

Letters Get Sincere, Sweet, and Surreal

[13:37 – 20:49]

• Kids thank veterans for “sacrifice ring your liver” (sacrificing your life), acknowledge their bravery, and sometimes even include existential asides.
• Some letters have jokes—as requested by teachers—leading to knock-knock jokes and an unexpected rap battle about taxes and cats.

Quote:
"Thank you military for protecting Amaraka and sacrifice ring your liver." — John Holmberg reading Declan’s letter [25:14]

The Overachievers Appear

[17:15 – 18:40]

• A perfectly formed letter appears from “Richard Forest” — a fifth-grader with “straight A” handwriting.
• Another letter acknowledges a family legacy: “My great-great grandpa was in the military too.”

Quote:
"Thank you. Thank you. Never give up. Sincerely, Richard Dick Forest." — John Holmberg as Richard [17:15]

• Hosts joke about the overachievers and poke gentle fun at culturally stereotyped handwriting or names.

Including Jokes, Apologies, and Reviews

[18:45 – 24:12]

• Many letters include jokes: “What did the traffic light say to the other traffic light? Don’t look at me. I’m changing.”
• One letter apologizes for “only one star” drawn on a flag, as if giving a Yelp review.

Finishing the Batch: Heartfelt Thanks and Closing Thoughts

[24:45 – 27:02]

• Letters get increasingly polished, with better coloring and handwriting.
• The children consistently express gratitude, wishes for safe returns, and acknowledgment that veterans make America a better place.
• Final letter inserts: “I’m one of the smartest of my class. Thought you should know that.”

Quote:
"Happy Veterans Day to everyone. Go get your free food. And if you see somebody in the gear today and you happen to be at a restaurant or a place, pick up the tab." — John Holmberg [27:23]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• "Thank you, Harrows. It does say Harrows, too. I think it's a Greek God, isn't it?" — John Holmberg [04:46]
• "Thank you, hero. Thank you for helping people. Thank you for saving Po yole. Thank you, Finn, for our Chunchurri churros. There must be something that they serve for lunch to the kids called Chunchurri, because that's two." — John Holmberg [06:40]
• "Dear veteran, be safe. I am sorry. Have to work on Thanksgiving and Christmas. I love you. Your friend, Jake. That one's not so bad, Jake." [08:44]
• "I hope you guys win. Has anybody else thought of that? Like these guys? You're the first. I don't think we're really in a war, Grayson. What if we aren't? We don't know. Let's just hope they win." — John Holmberg [09:35]
• "You are so brave I think I word never be able to do what you can do. I just haunt to say thank you..." [12:55]
• "You must be pretty cool. You decided that you would sacrifice your time and energy to help everyone in the country from invading murders. I'm sorry, that one got me." — John Holmberg [18:47]
• "I pay taxes." — John Holmberg reading William's letter [20:49]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:13] Opening thoughts, Veterans Day, somber mood, Bret’s loss
• [03:43] Explaining the Zaharis letters tradition
• [04:53] First batch of letters—pronunciation gaffes, spelling errors, and humor
• [08:07] The “no holidays” theme in kids’ letters
• [10:13] Redundant thanks, “harrows” vs. “heroes”, and “America” misspellings
• [12:03] Aiden’s gleeful “Mamreka” patriotism
• [13:37] Sincerity mixed with near-incomprehensible wording
• [17:15] The model student letter (Richard Forest)
• [18:45] Drawings, jokes, and self-conscious sign-offs
• [24:45] Final, heartfelt letters with applause for the teachers and the students
• [27:23] Holmberg’s closing thank-you and real talk about appreciating veterans

Tone and Style Notes

• The episode balances heart and humor, as the hosts read the letters “as written” for maximum comic effect, but never miss an opportunity to stress real appreciation for veterans.
• The hosts riff on spelling and logic, but often reconnect to the genuine sincerity and innocence of the kids.
• Occasional irreverence and adult humor are toned down for the subject matter, but the show’s trademark banter and sarcasm are still present.

Conclusion

Holmberg's Morning Sickness delivers an annual blend of laughter and heartfelt patriotism, using the sincere (and often hilarious) voices of Mesa’s children to thank veterans. The episode underscores the value of perspective, gratitude, and the importance of appreciating those who serve—even when the message comes misspelled in crayon. The hosts’ playful interpretations make the episode accessible, whether you tune in every Veterans Day or are new to the show.

Additional Notes

• The team plans to deliver the letters to the National Guard, continuing the tradition of connecting the next generation with America’s veterans.
• Select letters will be posted online for listeners to enjoy.

Recommendation:
For a feel-good, funny, and surprisingly touching listen—especially if you want a reminder of both the innocence of children and the significance of Veterans Day—this episode is a must.