Ronald is serving in Iraq and has been there for a year. He felt compelled to write a letter to a complete stranger because in the past, letters from strangers wishing him a safe return home are what kept him going. He provides some advice to appreciate what you have, not dwell on what you don't have, and be thankful for everything. All he wants now is to return home safely to see his family and newborn daughter.

1. Dear stranger,
Well hi there. You are the lucky one who found this dirty old
bottle… My name is Ronald. I am currently serving in Iraq
and have been for the past year. The other night I just felt
compelled to compose a letter to someone who I did not know.
Why you might ask? Well in the past I have received letters
from people who did not know me. Those letters were wishing
me a safe return home. Receiving those letters really is what
made me keep going. Those few letters from people that I did
not even know, people who were complete strangers are what
kept me fighting and wanting to return home. Therefore, I
wanted to have the same affect on someone else. I am going to
give you a piece of advice and take it to the grave as many of
my fellow comrades have. “Take what you are given, don’t
look at what you did not do and rather what you did
accomplish, and most importantly be thankful for everything
you have.” Before I left for war all I wanted was more and
more. I did not know what the true meaning of happiness was.
Now I literally have noting and I can’t think of one thing I
could possibly wish for rather than to return home safely to
see my family and my new born daughter. I am not telling
you my story to make you feel bad for me; however, I do want
you to just take a moment to reflect on what I have said. Even
though I do not know you… you are someone special. You have
an effect on what happens to this world. Walk where your feet
take you and never look back and most of all don’t forget
about me as I will always remember you.