DETROIT (NBC) -- A Detroit, Michigan homeowner was surprised when he found lost love letters and pictures from World War II tucked above a heating duct in his basement.

"When we saw this we were hoping it would be a bag of bonds or bag of money, honestly. It was just really cool," said Hubert Sawyers, the homeowner.

The letters and pictures all belong to a late World War II veteran named Sam Gargas.

"There are a few love letters from a lady named Violet," said Sawyers.

Stan Gargas had lived in Sawyers' home decades ago, but the letters weren't found until Sawyers and his wife began remodeling last year.