Letters To Louis
Sydney
“You inspire me to combat my struggles. Knowing your story makes me think about just how strong I actually am. I know that if I’m even 1/8 as strong as you were, I can make it through. I know that I will survive. and problems will cross my path, but I will rise again from the ashes. If you can grow into such an amazing person after your ordeal, I know that there is hope behind every corner. You’re my role model. You’re my inspiration. Thank you for everything. My words will never be able to describe what you and Unbroken mean to me.” Sydney, Age 14
Sally
“When we first began I had no interest but soon I was pulled into a world I never knew. I was amazed by your skills to persevere, be brave and stand tall. I desire to be as strong as you. I never knew humans could be so strong. Thank you so much for letting your story be told because it is the best thing we’ve done in class all year. You turned my geography class into a whole new level of awesome. I had something to look forward to everyday coming to school.” ~ Sally, Age 15
Braeden
“I am writing you this letter to tell you how much you have impacted my life with your amazing story of surviving the harshest conditions and worst of times. Your story has taught me very important life lessons that will stick with me throughout my life. You have shown me forgiveness and integrity are the answer and that to have faith takes strength but will be worth it in the end. To live knowing that I am not here just for myself, but that I live to help others through their struggles as well.” ~ Braeden
Van
“Your story has inspired me to be a better person and listen to my parents instead of disobeying them. I have forgiven the people who pick on me. In my heart I have forgiven them. But the most important thing is how your story has changed everyone who has read it and has touched those who are lost.” ~ Van Allen, Age 15
Macie
“I was taken through dozens of emotions after each and every paragraph especially knowing this story wasn’t fiction. After fighting battle after battle of struggles, your dive and will to live pulled you through. I find this incredible feat to be an immense motivator in dealing with issues, and have started to become more determined to push through anything that may stand before me. I believe that if you could endure all you have and make it through then my struggles can easily be overcome. Hardly any book I’ve read, fiction or non fiction, has ever come close to being as motivating, encapsulating or inspiring as your life story. Through every issue I face now, I’ll be sure to remember that determination pays off. I’m not an extremely religious person, but I feel as if your story happened for a reason, and that was to inspire others to remain hopeful no matter the circumstances.” Macie
Emily
“Reading Unbroken I learned that my perceptions were absolutely off as well as incredibly dramatic. I was in absolute astonishment of your endurance and strength when I read of your trials…..what I was most impressed with was your ability to keep pushing yourself through these trials, even maintaining a positive attitude…dignity…After reading, I realized that I was nothing more than a whiner who refused to do anything, so I fixed things. I began applying myself in my classes again. I talked with the people around me and improved my relationships, growing closer than ever, and I started watching videos and lectures on morality and philosophy to try to lean what it meant to be a good person, and how to become that. I could not have done it if it wasn’t for your book putting my life into perspective. Thank you Louis for helping me to improve my life through the telling of your life. Without this kick of inspiration, I’m not sure where I’d be right now.” Emily, Age 15
Blaize
“Your story resonates with me so much because it is the story of life after hardship, forgiveness after pain, belonging after losing oneself. Whenever I am in a tough situation, I will ask myself, ‘what would Louis do’.” ~ Blaize, Age 14
Brooke
“Hearing about your story put things into perspective. EVERYONE matters. Forgiving the Bird helped me realize that no matter the person, they still matter.” ~ Brooke, Age 15
Billy
“Dear Louie, Of all the parts of your story, the beginning really struck me the hardest. You are described as a troublemaking kid who felt out of place, bullied and struggling in school. I immediately connected with you as a kid, someone who felt so different from your sibling, who seemed so perfect. Even there, I saw myself in you. But despite all of that, you were so close to your brother, just like I am with my sister.
The way the author wrote about how you felt while being bullied, and the outbursts you had that would lead to the other children laughing at you really hit me hard. I've had similar experiences, and it was a relief to know that even back then, people were going through the same things. I wasn't alone.
What really inspired me, though, was how you transformed—from that sad, lonely kid into such a strong, important adult. That kind of change is something so powerful for kids who are going through tough times. It really grabbed my attention because in most books, the main character has a minor problem, and everything gets easily resolved. But with you, just when you thought things were getting better, more problems came crashing down. You were lost at sea, and while I've never been lost at sea, but I sure have felt lost in many ways. We each struggle in our own way, and the idea that we can change really stuck with me and inspired me.
Overall, the book was truly moving, and I found myself genuinely connecting with your story. Thank you so much.” ~ Billy, Age 15
Katy
“Your story should live on and never be forgotten. What you endured and how you overcame it all is truly motivational. The fact that even after all of your struggles you found faith in God inspires me to spread this story. You will forever be an inspiration to everyone who has ever heard about you.” ~ Katy, Age 15
Cadet Smith
“You are an inspiration. You silently encourage others through your own life experiences giving them motivation to never give up. You have the kind of grit and resilience that no one could ever forget. You are a hero of your time and a legend of today. You are a hero because you are a generous selfless, intelligent individual. You are a legend because the way you handled adversity will forever remind people to keep pushing. Seeing you get bullied while you were young because you were different from others, or the way you were abused as a POW and still forgave those people let me know I have no excuse. I have no excuse as to why I can’t forgive others for their wrong doings. It make it look so easy to be kind and gentle and more people like me should possess those traits in order to forgive. Thank you Louie.” ~ Cadet Smith, Age 16
Maggie
“One of the things I admire most is that you have had more than enough reasons to give up on God and hate Him. It’s humbling to see that he has put your through so much and you still came out to believe in forgiveness. I want to assure you that this book has made a great impact in my life and I want to thank you for giving me a chance of knowing your story”. - “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ forgive you”. Ephesians 4:31-32 ~ Maggie, Age 15
Mary
“May I start by saying that every aspect and detail of your story is both inspiring and extraordinary. Your life story is encouraging and honorable in every way possible. Even in the hardest of struggles your resilient optimism stayed strong throughout. Even in the face of misery and fear you held onto who you were and where you came from.
It encourages me to be proud of who I am and where I come from no matter what might lie ahead. I believe your stories are life lessons that can be applied to many different situations. Every moment of your incredible journey is a story worth telling and a lesson worth learning.” ~ Mary, 15
Randy
“I myself am a pretty bad kid, I used to smoke & drink similar to you. Your story gives me hope, not just for myself, but for others who go through similar struggles. ~ Randy, 14
Skylar
“What inspired me the most was your over powering optimism and your ability to survive through horrible circumstances. I hope that one day I’ll be a little like you, and grow to be just as strong.” ~ Skylar, 14
Vanessa
“Since reading the book about your life and now after everything you went through in the P.O.W, camp you found forgiveness in your heart. You devoted yourself to God and got through many struggles. At church when we are praying to serve God, I now want those words to be the truth when I say it. Thank you Louie. I am thankful for this book. ~ Vanessa, 14
Lillian
“Your story is one that I can’t help but marvel at! It inspires me to face the issues I’m currently dealing with. It gives me HOPE for the future. Thank you for persevering and continuing to fight. Your legacy and inspiration will never fade”. ~ Lillian, 15
Courtney
“I think it is amazing how you turned your life around in such a positive way. From being a mischievous kids who always gets in trouble to a KIND teenager and an amazing runner. Your powerful story will be in my mind for the rest of my life. You are truly a blessing from God”. ~ Courtney, 14
Justin
“Your life connects to my life in so many ways. When you were a kid you got into mischief and so did I. It shows me that it wasn’t only me that gets into trouble as a kid. It would be easy to overlook a person like you. I’m glad I didn’t. Your life will be honored by everyone. I hope everyone will hear your story.” ~ Justin, 14
Abigail
“You taught me that with dignity and will that I can overcome any situation life has to throw at me. I was so moved and touched by your story. I think your story could show people the true meaning of pain and glory. ~ Abigail, 15
Mario
“This story was truly amazing on how Louie starts as a bad kid to becoming really close to God. The story also inspired me to have more appreciation for other people that have gone through really tough things in their life. I thank Louie so much for his story as it made me view things in a whole different way. Thank you Louie Zamperini.” ~ Mario, 14
Eddy
I have taken the time to write you because of the book "Unbroken". The story of your father, Mr. Louis Zamperini, has deeply touched my heart in a way beyond what words can express. I feel the need to contact you as you are his son. Louis was an extraordinary person, and what he endured was absolutely incredible. I believe that your father is my hero. I had never actually had a hero until I read Lauren Hillenbrand's book. Though you have no doubt heard this countless times, your father was an incredibly brave man and he deserves your pride. I without hesitation place him among the many important icons of our country. I can't explain the joy that Louis' story brought to me. His faith in God brought me confidence that he will reward according to what we have done. God rewarded Louis. His service to those less fortunate in life whatever it may have been gains my respect. I was once a foster child. I was lucky enough to have been adopted by family. I wish that you and your husband could speak to those in my school as your words are inspirational. I feel that Louis' story would give them reassurance that having faith can get you through the hardest of obstacles. Again, thank you for your time. What you and your organization have done is truly amazing. Thank you, Eddy ~ Age 14
Callie
Dear Mr. Zamperini, My name is Callie. I’m a twelve year old girl from Massachusetts. Currently I am reading the book Unbroken, about your father. It is the most inspirational thing I have ever read. To know what he had to go through but he never gave up hope. It’s inspiring me so much. The story of your father is making me think there is hope. Your father, is my hero. His story is making such a difference in my life. Just hearing about him is giving me hope and making me stronger. I was looking online and saw he passed away in 2014. I’m so sorry he must have been a great man. I would have loved to meet him and hear the story from him directly. I am going to share the story of your father with my friends and family. If they are going through anything I want them to have the strength his story is giving me. Your father was a great man. He was brave, strong, smart, and fast. I want to be like him when I’m older.
Sincerely, Callie ~ Age 12
Karlis
Hello, Mr. Zamperini I'm Karlis and I'm writing / doing a presentation on your father. I chose your fathers story as the most significant event for a presentation in my history class because I thought it was the most important. I truly admire, and believe that your father was and will always be a hero. His way of confronting everything that happened really got me thinking of life in a much better perspective. Just the way he overcame everything was amazing. It would be an honor to meet you and it would had been amazing to have shaken hands with your father a great hero.
Thanks, Karlis