Letter discovered that students wrote to WWII veterans in 1943

As the members of the Society for the Preservation of Minneota Heritage (SPMH) have been busy organizing and archiving many items accumulated over the years in the Opera Hall, every now and then they come across something they realize was in their collections.
Recently, a 78-year-old letter was found addressed to Frank Josephson by students and faculty of Minneota High School. It seems letters were sent out to all local men serving military duty either in the states or overseas.
The letter dated Dec. 14, 1943 read:
Dear Minneotans in the Services:
As the Christmas season is approaching, we wish to send you, a former student of Minneota High, our sincere greetings and best wishes.
We thought you would be interested in knowing just what we students are doing and what is happening in Minneota.
The good old school house is still much the same as when you were here. A few cracks have been added to the cement steps, the swinging doors show the marks of the hurrying feet leaving the building and those unforgettable steps that you dreaded are still there, although slightly more worn. Each time we ascend these steps we are reminded of you and all the others who once attended our school by a huge service flag displayed above the landing. We're proud of those stars on that flag and proud of what and whom those stars stand for. We're proud because we know you, and you're a product of our school. We know you once passed through these same halls, carried the same books, studied the same lessons and played the same sports.
Our Student Council sells War Stamps every Tuesday in the front hall. We, along with many other schools, belong to the "Buy a Jeep" Club and went over our quota by December 7. We will continue our stamp selling program for the rest of the school year.
Minneota High is still carrying on with its true colors. Our football team was second in the district and our basketball team has begun its season with two wins and one loss; we hope you'll be following us through the Mascot.
Minneota has changed some, but it is still the same friendly town that it always has been. This year our streets will have no street decorations, nor will there be any outside decorations on the houses. Although our town will not be brightly decorated the Christmas spirit will be present.
During the year a number of you have visited is while on furlough. We really appreciate your coming and will always be glad to see you.
Best of luck to all of you and a quick return home.

Sincerely,
Students and Faculty of Minneota High

A separate sheet of paper included in the envelope included 206 signatures of the students and faculty of Minneota High School.
The letter eventually was donated to the Opera Hall and has been stored away until the SPMH members discovered it in one of their working days. The group is planning to use some of the archived items to create displays for visitors to enjoy.