Message In A Bottle Offers Closure

Note From A Marine No One Expected To Hear From Again Surfaces After His Death

(CBS)  Not a lot of message-in-a-bottle stories come out of Central Wisconsin, mainly because there's not a lot of ocean there. But one recently did surface on a lake, CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman reports in this week’s Assignment America.

A kid named Steve Leidel found the bottle last April — and six months later, people are still talking about the discovery.

The note itself is pretty ho-hum, obviously written by a kid. It says: "My name is Josh Baker. I'm 10. If you find this, put it on the news." The date is April 16, 1995.

That was all he wrote — but it was enough.

"Josh Baker. Everyone knows that name," says Leidel. "He's like the town hero."

Josh Baker grew up in White Lake, Wis. He was a precocious kid, and his curiosity got him into a lot of mischief, though his warm smile got him out of most of it. The day he wrote that note, for example, his mom, Maggie, still remembers exactly where he got the bottle.

"I came in one day and the whole house smelled like vanilla," Maggie says.

Ten-year-old Josh threw the vanilla bottle — with the note — into White Lake, and the years passed by. By 18, Josh was a Marine. By 19, he was fighting door to door in Fallujah.

While in Iraq, Josh got lots of support from his hometown. Georgia Heistad, the school secretary, was one of many people who put together care packages.

"I don't have a son. I only have a daughter. But I tell you, he would be my model son — everybody's," Heistad says.

That's why everyone says the day Josh Baker finally came home was one of the happiest days ever — and one of the saddest days ever was the day when, just a few months later, he died in a car crash.

Josh's funeral came and went, but the depression had sunk in deep. That's when the bottle surfaced.

"He wanted us to find this," his friend Steve says. "He probably thought that was awesome."

"It's just like what Josh would do," Heistad adds.

Most everyone is convinced it was a sign, especially Josh's mom, who had basically shut out the world.

"When that message came — and I don't care how hokey it sounds, this is the truth — that was Josh saying 'snap out of it. Mom. I'm here. I'm OK,'" his mother says.

Maggie says she did snap out of it and is now refocused on raising the two kids she still has at home. Although it's obviously still hard for her to talk about, Maggie says it's nice to know somebody's listening.

[redrose23-2009]

I'M SO GLAD THIS STORY WON THE VOTES. IT IS SO LOVING THAT THIS NOTE WOULD SHOW UP TO LIFT SO MANY SPIRITS. WE MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER OUR LOVED ONES ARE CLOSE BY....ONLY WE CAN'T SEE THEM... BUT THEY ARE. ONE DAY WE WILL UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING, NO MATTER HOW PAINFUL IT IS FOR THE LIVING, ALL TRUTH WILL COME TO LIGHT.

[rpcmurphy]

What a great story, it brought tears to my eyes. I felt so sad for Josh%u2019s little brother.

It%u2019s amazing that Josh could survive being in Iraq with bullets flying and people trying to kill him, to come home and die in a car crash. Sometimes it makes no sense.

I wish his family much love and healing.

Robin Murphy
Seattle WA

[contostce]

************GREAT STORY*******JUST WONDERING, THIS JOSH BAKER DOES HAVE ANOTHER PART TO HIS FAMILY, LIKE A DAD*****IT'S NICE THE COMMUNITY WAS INCLUDED IN THE STORY, BUT ANYONE WHO REALLY KNEW THE BOY KNOWS HIS DAD WAS A HUGE PART OF HIS LIFE AND WOULD HAVE CHOKED UP JUST AS THE MOTHER DID.*****TOO BAD HE WAS LEFT OUT OF THIS WONDERFUL PIECE SINCE HE WAS ONE WHO REALLY DID SUPPORT THE BOY BECOMING A MARINE.****JUST CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MEDIA REALLY CAN HURT A FAMILY***

[john55glf]

A remarkable story worthy of the attention it is getting Knowing the father as I do, it is hard to believe he is not mentioned as the guiding force in the boys life. There was a special bond between father and son as well as the rest of the extended family. Our hearts and prayers go out to Josh'w entire circle of family and friends.

[pfeuling]

Thank you for broadcasting a story with heart. While we listen to so many negative stories daily, we can all appreciate a sensitive report bringing family and community feelings to the top of the bottle.

[usmc31st]

god bless SEMPER FI!!!!!!!!

[mcwilljg]

Great story of another patriotic young man doing what he can in the service of his country. However, I was greatly disappointed when I learned how close Marine Baker was with his father but his father was left out of the story. How typical that a father's influence in the lives of our children is so often overlooked. Shame on you, shame on us.

[linfinster]

You almost had me there MCwill. They did leave the father out of the article, but was it intentional as you preport, or could it have been that he was not intersted in talking with the press. Or the family elected Mom to be the spokes person, after all, this could have been a telephone interview .. just a thought.
Hard working, upstanding father's have it tough for sure. A fact not reconized enough in the good ol USA. .. and it is a shame.

[cindymace-2009]

A beautiful story, but lacking the father who was such a huge part of this young mans life. A tribute to Josh just isn't complete without his father Rob.
Thoughts and prayers for the entire family,

[winabear]

Hello, I am Josh Baker's Grandmother, the Mother of Josh's Father, Rob Baker. Rob was very much a part of Josh's life, and they truly were best friends. They looked so much alike, and their interests were the same. Being omitted from the story, for the second time, has hurt Rob and his family immesurably. There are handsome twin boys, only 6 years old, who still forget, at times, that Josh won't call anymore. There is also an extended family of a Sister and two Brothers who will never forget the loss. There is a Stepmother who knew Josh from birth and was important in his life. Of course, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins still mourn his death. He was such a wonderful young man and we are all so proud of him. The story was beautifully reported, with wonderful pictures, but the world has to know about Rob, the Father who was always Josh's best friend, teacher, confindant and most of all.....Josh's Dad.

[cjflumba]

OK OK Enough about who is hurt and who is not. The thing is the message in the bottle came to help everyone realize how much Josh meant to everyone. Let him rest in peace!
This is not about the father who did not get mentioned or it is not about the mother who did get mentioned! REALITY CHECK
It is about JOSH BAKER!

[peaceforusa]

Well this is the news media for you. Leave out all the good parts.

I just want to thank Josh for fighting for our freedom and I also want to let "ALL" of his family know that they are in our prayers and thoughts.

Rest In Peace Josh

[blam6]

Please, just remember Josh as I do, a loving son, brother, and friend, a fearless marine, and the best friend a dad could ever have. If any of us could turn out to be half the man he was, we would all be proud. The story was a tribute to my son and all he stood for. Josh, I will never forget. Love always, your dad.

[winabear]

You are right, this story is about Josh and the message that gave one small glimpse of hope to those who lose loved ones. The family thanks you for all your good thoughts and prayers. We should all place those prayers where they are most needed. Let us remember the men and women still fighting and dying in distant countries. That is where Josh would want your thoughts to be. If he were alive today, he would want to be there with them. Josh's Grandma

[lillenajo]

Joshua, this is Aunt Lena. I just wanted you to know that I watched the story last night on the news. It was a wonderful story, and I am so proud of you, and I miss you so much. I know you are watching over us all, so I know you'll somehow get this message, just like you made sure we all got your message. We love you Josh, you will be in our hearts forever.
Aunt Lena

[broncgal]

A great American to be proud of.My heartfelt condolences to the family. His young brother at the end of the report was heart wrenching. However the report should have at least mentioned the father.