John Wayne received a letter from this teacher and did something no Hollywood star would do today… March 1961: a teacher in rural Montana asks her 12 students to write a single sentence to John Wayne.

—Sr. Wayne…

—Yes, son.

—Why did he help us? We are nobodies.

The room falls silent.

All the children were waiting for the answer. Margaret, by the door, with her hands clasped, was also waiting.

Wayne walks over to Tommy’s desk, kneels down, and gets down to Tommy’s eye level.

—Listen to me carefully. You’re nobody. Don’t ever say that again. You’re Americans. All of you. That means you matter. Every single one of you. It doesn’t matter if you live in Hollywood or Montana or anywhere else. You’re Americans. That’s everyone.

Tommy’s eyes well up with tears. He nods. He doesn’t trust his own voice.

Wayne stands up and looks at them all.

—And when they grow up, they’ll help the next generation of kids, the ones who think they’re nobody. They’ll show them they matter. That’s how America works. We lift each other up. Got it?

Twelve voices in unison:

-Yes sir.

Before leaving, Margaret asks for a favor.