On December 25, 1970, John Metzler received a letter from a stranger, containing a message that helped get him through the darkest of days.
Metzler was 23 and serving in the Vietnam War as an Army helicopter sniper. He woke up every day not knowing if he would survive, he told CBS News, and never received any words of encouragement. That Christmas, he was handed a letter, written by a sixth grade student named DonnaCaye. She didn't know who would receive the note, as it was addressed to "Serviceman," but her message was heartfelt. "I want to give my sincere thanks for going over to war to fight for us," DonnaCaye wrote. "This class hopes you are able to come home."
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