The man told deputies he found a note on his windshield while leaving a Wal-Mart on Friday. The note read, "(Expletive) you and your son. I hope he dies."

The unidentified man said the note brought him to tears.

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office posted about the note on its Facebook page.

"We can't undo the message, and we almost hate to share it, but we decided we could use it as an opportunity to say thank you," deputies said. "To this man in Deltona, to anyone who's served or is serving our country, and to all the families who sacrifice precious months and years with a loved one: THANK YOU and your son, daughter, husband, wife, relative or friend for what you've given us."