LYNCHBURG, Va. -- A Virginia man received a Father's Day letter from his late son and he said he believed it was sign from heaven. The letter, mailed 26 years ago, was delivered to Duane Schrock, Sr. in Lynchburg last month. The letter was sent by Duane's son -- also named Duane -- in 1989. Duane, the son, passed away from AIDS in 1995, six years after he mailed the letter.
"Dear, Dad, we haven't been in touch for quite a while, I'm doing fine and am very happy in Richmond, I'd like to hear from you. Have a Happy Father's Day, Love Duane," the letter read.
In the 26 years after it was mailed, the letter went through a long journey -- being returned to sender and forwarded to new addresses several times.
"Still kind of tear up when I think about it. To get it just a few days after Father's Day, mailed in 1989 Father's Day," the appreciative father said. "Somebody picked up the ball and carried it. After all these years they still forwarded it."
Schrock said he did not agree with his son's homosexual lifestyle and admitted their relationship was, at times, tumultuous. Schrock said he viewed the letter like a sign from heaven that his son is doing well.
"That's why I asked him if he made peace with God. Because I wanted to see him in heaven," Schrock said.
Schrock added the delivery also restored his faith in the postal service.
