Boy found $20 bill in diner parking lot and gave it to a soldier with a note — it completely changed the soldier's life

The boy wanted to buy a game with the money at first, but changed his mind for a very special reason.

PUBLISHED 9 HOURS AGO

(L) A boy picking something up from the road. (R) A soldier reading a note. Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | galitskaya; Fuse

Sometimes a seemingly small act can turn into something huge. So, when nine-year-old Myles Eckert gave a $20 bill to a soldier after finding it in a parking lot, he wasn't expecting anything big out of it. The boy knew his late father was a soldier and wanted to do something nice when he saw one. The officer was touched by the boy's kindness and decided to pay it forward, starting a series of wholesome events, per CBS News. The boy's mom even went as far as to say that it was the "craziest" thing she had experienced in her life.

Boy at a restaurant with his mom. Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Steven Errico

The boy was at a Cracker Barrel in Ohio when he found a $20 bill in a parking lot. He was very excited to find the money and had thought of using it for a video game at first, before deciding otherwise. He saw a man enter the restaurant and changed his mind. "Because he was a soldier and soldiers remind me of my dad," Eckert explained. He gave the money and a note to the soldier. The note read, "Dear Soldier, My dad was a soldier. He is in heaven now. I found this $20 in the parking lot when we got here." He added, "We like to pay it forward in my family. It is your lucky day! Thank you for your service." He signed off with, "Myles Eckert, a gold star kid."

A boy and a soldier giving each other a hug. Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Ariel Skelley

The boy's dad, Andy Eckert, was killed five weeks after he was born. So his dad's things, stories and pictures were the only things he had of him. Eckert decided to go see his dad that day, after he had given away the $20. The soldier, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Daly of the Air National Guard, who received the boy's note, shared that he looks at it every single day. The man shared that the boy gave him a "lifetime direction." Daly paid the money forward and it has multiplied ever since that moment. Many people wanted to give $20 back to the boy after they heard the story, but the family wanted them to send it to Snowball Express, a charity dedicated to helping kids who have lost a parent to war.

via GIPHY

The charity has received donations of over $250,000 because of the story. People appreciated the boy's kind act in the comments section of the video. @duck1889 wrote, "'Everyone dies, but only a few will be remembered.' His dad was a hero and he will be remembered forever. RIP, sir, your son will become a great man just like you." @Knight6158 commented, "I am a grandpa. He looks like my grandson. My first reaction is to hold him. God bless this child, what a heart. This is a lesson for all. Brought tears to my eyes."

A person handing over money to someone. Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Kinga Krzeminska

@rebeccakaris2466 remarked, "This brought me to tears. We need more of these stories in the news. Your dad is most definitely smiling down upon you." @mousearebec shared, "Now that is an excellent child. The kind of kid any parent would be proud of. His pop must be looking down from heaven, smiling at his creation." @imthinkingaboutgood expressed, "I was holding back the tears until the last picture. What an amazing young man. His butterfly effect has changed so many lives. What a remarkable family."