Decorated War Vet receives big birthday surprise

A decorated Korean War Veteran receives a big surprise today from people all over the world. 

It all stared when Kim Nelson posted a status on Facebook asking people to send her cards for her fathers 83rd birthday which happens to fall on Christmas day.

Kim said she wanted to see how many cards she could get, hoping for at least 83.

So far she's received 330 cards for her father, Paul Keefauver, along with a hand made patriotic quilt.

The cards and letters were from all over the country and even the world.

On Christmas Eve Kim surprised her father with his gifts.

Keefauver said, “This makes life worth living I'll tell you, makes you want to live forever. Just look at that quilt, whoever sent that is an amazing person. That thing to me is worth more than gold you know, it's amazing."

First Sergeant Chuck Meens was one of the hundreds who saw Kim’s status.

Meens told us, not only did he want to Meet Paul, but he wanted to give him a special gift that he deserved.

Paul lost his many awards from the Korean War, and never got his hands on the medals…until now.

Today the first sergeant presented Paul with all of his medals, including the Purple Heart.

We'll have even more on this story in our newscast on Christmas day right here on KJCT 8 News.