Letter in the wall makes its way back after 20 years

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Peter R.O. Danielson
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  For years, a letter from a 12-year-old girl to the future residents sat sealed inside a plastic sandwich bag in the historic walls of Quarters 21, located on Generals' Row here.

On Dec. 6, 20 years to the day after the letter was written, Brooke Lewis, now aged 32, came back to Offutt.

"It's just a series of freak coincidences that this letter was preserved," said Tim Fry, 55th Civil Engineering Squadron.

Quarters 21, part of the landmark Generals' Row, was built in 1896 for sergeants who were stationed here during the Fort Crook era. These days, General's Row consists of 10 three-story brick housing units for flag-level officers and key and mission-essential personnel.

A time capsule is designed to be found, but it's not common for one to be discovered twice.

"The letter was first found in September of 2007, during a renovation project," said Mr. Fry. "It sat in my office for the last three years until I re-found it."

After reading it, several members of the 55th CES knew that they had to return the letter to its author.

"It was clear that the letter was a something special to her," Mr. Fry said.

The search for Brooke was easy enough: her letter included the names and ages of her two brothers, Steve and Scott; her mother's name, Marianne; plus the name and rank of her father, Brig. Gen. James S. Savarda.

General Savarda and his family lived in Quarters 21 from June 1990 to August 1991. While stationed at Offutt, General Savarda served as an inspector general for the Strategic Air Command.

Eventually, the Savardas settled in Denver. Brooke grew up and got married. Fifteen months ago, she gave birth to a son named Cameron.

Little thought was put to the letter she had left in her past.

"My mother brought up the letter about two weeks before we got the call," Brooke said. "I suppose I did remember it, but only vaguely."

Mrs. Lewis explained that she decided to hide her letter in the third floor bathroom, as it was the most secure place that came to mind.

"I thought if I put my letter behind the fixtures, it'd be 100 years before anyone found it," said Brooke. "The idea of something lasting that long was really attractive."

The letter, still sealed in its original plastic bag, was found on the first floor air ducts. It had fallen two stories after years of hiding.

"We're so pleased that we were able to welcome this little girl back," said Anne Lisherness, current resident of Quarters 21 and wife of 55th Communications Group commander Col. Dennis Lisherness.

"My first thought was 'I wonder where this little girl was sitting when she wrote this letter,'" said Mrs. Lisherness. "I was excited to see how she had grown up. She's exactly who I thought she'd be."

On Dec. 6, Mrs. Lisherness showed the house to all of the guests, which included Mrs. Lewis's husband, son, mother and father.

"There have not been many changes," said Mrs. Lewis. "I'm happy. These houses have always been so beautiful."