CNN —The extraordinary discovery of a decades-old message in a bottle has inspired alumni of a Long Island, New York, high school to remember their beloved late science teacher. Merci, Gracias, Danke, Thank you, Shawn and Ben,” the letter read, addressed from Mattituck High School on Long Island in October 1992. Courtesy Adam TravisAmazement and wonder bubbled up in the Mattituck High School Alumni Facebook group about how the letter remained intact for 32 years – and how it was found just a few miles from the high school. “The message in a bottle project was one of his favorite and longest-standing projects over the years,” Brooks said. Earth science teacher Richard E. Brooks often assigned the "message in a bottle project," his son said.

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Persons: Adam Travis, “, ” Travis, Travis didn’t, Shawn, Ben, Richard E, Brooks, “ Mr, ”, Benny Doroski, ” Brooks ’, John, John Brooks, ” Brooks, Brooks ’ Organizations: CNN, Mattituck High, Facebook, Mattituck High School Locations: , New York, Shinnecock Bay, Long, Alzheimer’s, Azores, Ireland, ”