Soldier dining alone tears up after little boy hands him $20 because he missed the dad he lost in Iraq
Dailey, who received the note, was deeply moved by the thoughtfulness of the little boy.
When grief strikes, people often withdraw, as they believe that nothing can truly bring them joy. But when 8-year-old Myles found a $20 bill on February 9, he did something that his deceased loved one would have been very proud of.
Eight-year-old Myles was elated when he found a $20 bill in a parking lot as he and his family were going to Cracker Barrel for an early lunch. He began thinking of how to spend it efficiently. "I kind of wanted to get a video game," Myles said. But Myles chose not to spend the bill he received. What made him do that? Well, when the little boy saw a soldier at the restaurant, he couldn't help but be reminded of his late father, Army Sgt.Andy Eckert. Andy was killed in Iraq, just five weeks after Myles was born.
Myles and his sister Marlee Freedom are among the nearly 5,000 U.S children who, since 9/11, have lost a parent who served in the U.S. military. Unfortunately, all that Myles was left with were a few pictures, dog treats, and the memories that other people revealed about his father. "I imagine him as a really nice person and somebody that would be really fun," Myles said. When Myles saw Lt. Col. Frank Dailey, he changed his mind. Reminded of his dad, Myles wrapped the $20 bill and penned a heartfelt note for the soldier that read, "Dear Soldier, my dad was a soldier. He's in heaven now. I found 20 dollars in the parking lot when we got here. We like to pay it forward in my family. It's your lucky day! Thank you for your service. Myles Eckert, a gold star kid."
Not only did he make a kind gesture, but he also requested his mother, Tiffany, to drive him to visit his late father's grave so he could share his good deed. Lt. Col. Dailey, who received the note, was deeply moved by the thoughtfulness of the little boy. He described it as one of the "most touching acts of kindness he had experienced" and expressed pride in Myles' empathetic nature. After the story went viral on social media, Myles was invited to appear on Ellen, visit former President George W. Bush at his Presidential Library, and enjoy several other memorable experiences.
Myles' kindness does not end with him giving the $20 bill; he and his family have been involved in countless activities to help others. Myles' mother, Tiffany, said, "Everything we do is a direct extension of Andy's legacy. And everything we do for other people is how we continue to love him." Before the incident at Cracker Barrel, Myles and his family helped fulfill a dying soldier, Sgt. Robert Monroy's last wish was to attend a Green Bay Packers playoff game. Unfortunately, Robert, who was battling cancer from exposure to burn pits in Iraq, passed away a week later. Myles, who had grown close to him, served as an honorary pallbearer at his funeral.
On their way home, Myles and his mother stopped at the same Cracker Barrel where his journey of kindness with the $20 bill had begun. A study authored by Wang, Guo, and Zhang in 2015 explored how grief can lead to personal and emotional growth after loss. This growth includes greater empathy, improved relationships, and a stronger desire to help others. The study suggests that grief, when processed meaningfully, can deepen compassion and transform emotional pain into kindness toward others.
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