SARASOTA, Fla. — It was 1942 when Anthony Zhan, better known as “Tony” joined the Army Signal Corps in World War II.

As classical pianist, Tony was just 20 years old when he enlisted in the war. 

“He was his parents world, and they needed to know everything that was going on in his life,” says daughter Sherie Zhan.

As an only child, he wrote letters to his family every week. 

That’s all his daughter, Sherie, knew about her dad, until his death in 1984. 

“As I was going through my fathers things, I found a small box that I had never seen before, it was a small army footlocker,” she says.  

Inside, was nearly 256 of her fathers letters.

Anthony "Tony" Zhan joined the Army Signal Corps in 1942. (Anthony Zahn)

From letters describing basic training, to eventually life in a jungle combat zone, Tony narrated every moment he could in detail. 

“My dad had died and it seemed like he was talking to me again,” says Sherie.  

For years, Sherie says her father suffered from survivors guilt that he never recovered from. 

So she wanted to try to find a way to help other veterans by publishing his letters, called “Tony’s War." 

All the proceeds from the book will go straight to local veteran services. 

“These letters are truly amazing because they give details as to what life was like as a soldier” 

 A soldier, who she will always call, her hero.