Jonathan Halvarsson, 16, wrote Dr. Jean Munro, 102, a letter. (Parklands Care Home via SWNS)
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By Elizabeth Hunter
A 102-year-old wartime codebreaker in Britain has received a heartfelt letter of thanks for her service - from a teen in Denmark.
Dr. Jean Munro worked at Bletchley Park during World War II helping to decipher German Army and Air Force Enigma messages.
Jonathan Halvarsson, 16, read about the top-secret work - and was so inspired that he decided to write her a letter.
He had read a book about the Nazi occupation of Denmark and wanted to show the ''deepest respect and appreciation''.
The teen also wanted to express how ''the younger generations have not forgotten your efforts''.
Jonathan, who lives in Zealand in Denmark, discovered her story through a Facebook post by the Veterans' Foundation.
(Photo by Castorly Stock via Pexels)
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His letter read: "I recently read about your service during the war, and I was deeply moved.
"I felt a strong need to express my heartfelt gratitude for everything you and your comrades did.
"Even though we are separated by hundreds of kilometres and several generations, I want you to know that a young person far away holds the deepest respect and appreciation for you.
"Please know that the younger generations have not forgotten your efforts, and we never will."
Dr. Munro, a resident at Lynemore Care Home in Grantown-on-Spey in Scotland, was a member of Hut 6 at Bletchley Park.
Historians believe their codebreaking work may have shortened the war by two to four years, potentially saving hundreds of thousands of lives.
But she was unable to tell her family and friends about her work until the 1980s.
Jonathan says he became interested in researching World War II at 12 years old after reading about the German occupation of Denmark.
After learning about Dr. Munro's work through a Facebook post, he felt it was his "duty" to reach out and say thank you.
Jonathan said: "When I was around 12 years old, I started writing letters to Danish veterans from the resistance movement during WWII.
"I believe many older people who participated in the war feel overlooked and saddened by seeing so many in the younger generation take their freedom for granted.
"It was important for me to send my letter to Dr. Munro because she directly participated in the resistance and in fighting against the power that held my country occupied for five long years."
Jonathan Halvarsson, 16, wrote the 102-year-old woman who worked as a code breaker during World War II. (Parklands Care Home via SWNS)
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Jonathan added that it was "a great honour" to know that Dr. Munro appreciated his letter, but believes more should be done to remember the work of veterans and codebreakers.
He added: "I am deeply honoured by the attention and recognition my letter has received - but at the same time I find it a bit sad that writing a letter to a woman who fought for all of our freedom is seen as something extraordinary.
"I hope people focus on Dr. Munro and her generation's efforts and not the fact that I sent her a letter - this is the least one can do!"
Pamela Cummings, manager of Lynemore said: "Jean was deeply touched to receive Jonathan’s letter.
"She is incredibly modest about her wartime service, but we are all very proud of her.
Dr. Jean Munro, 102m, worked as a codebreaker during World War II. (Parklands Care Home via SWNS)
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"It’s lovely to see her contribution, and that of her generation, recognised by someone so much younger.
"The letter was a wonderful surprise and meant a great deal to her, especially knowing a young man so far away took the time to write and thank her for her service."
In December, Dr. Munro was awarded the Freedom of Bletchley Park, a rare honour conferred by the Bletchley Park Trust, as she celebrated her 102nd birthday.
She was also presented with a specially made Veteran's pin badge.
Born in 1923 to Scottish parents, Dr. Munro went on to become a distinguished historian and author after the war, holding senior roles with several heritage organisations including the National Trust for Scotland and serving as President of The Grantown Society.
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