A 99 year-old World War II veteran from Ferdinand, Indiana had his Christmas wish come true this year after he sent in a request to his local radio station.

Fox News reported that Leroy Haug mailed a letter to WEHC reporter Shelley Kirk earlier this month discussing his deployment during World War II. Haug talked about fighting for General Patton’s Third Army and being wounded while taking out a machine gun with a hand grenade. He was awarded two Purple Hearts for his service during the war.

Haug sadly signed the letter, “A very lonely vet, L.V. Haug, Ferdinand, Indiana,” after explaining that he has been struggling emotionally ever since his beloved wife died back in August. He humbly asked if the radio station could help get people to send him Christmas cards to cheer him up, hoping that he would get a few to help him pass the time. Much to Haug’s surprise, however, he got a whole lot more than that!

Haug’s great-grand-nephew Joe Gratz said that the veteran has received more than 1,000 letters so far and “was trying to open them all but had to take breaks because there were so many.”

People from all over the country have sent cards, letters, and drawings to Haug in the hopes of lifting his spirits.

“These cards have really lifted his spirits, especially the ones from children,” Gratz said. “And they have given him something to do to pass the time.”

Just saw this tweet and sending a card to your Uncle from Lake Mary, Florida so he might be getting it late. I’m sorry for the loss of his wife. pic.twitter.com/P5GdS2pb3H

— Allintheballs (@allintheballs) December 22, 2020

“I want to thank everybody for being so nice to me and sending all these cards,” Haug said after Kirk personally delivered the batch of letters this past Wednesday. The veteran added that he can’t wait to open every letter and respond to as many as he can.

If you would like to send a letter to Haug, you can send it directly to Kirk, who will then deliver it to the veteran. Please send the letter to the following address:

Shelley Kirk

WEHT, 800 Marywood Dr.

Henderson, KY 42420

Haug sacrificed so much for this country during World War II, and it warms our hearts to see Americans giving something back to him all these years later.