February 9, 2007
Ottawa - Canadian Veterans are looking forward to Valentines Day, not only for the chocolates and sweets they may receive, but also for the precious hand-crafted valentines made by Canadian students, youth groups and others across the country as part of Veterans Affairs Canada's Valentines for Vets program.
"Canada's New Government cares about our Veterans and this program is just one way that we are helping Canadians to honour and thank Veterans for their brave service ," said the Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs. "I am proud to announce that every Veteran in a community-care facility will receive a valentine this year, thanks to the success of the Valentines for Vets program."
Valentines range from elaborate works of art with sparkles, felt and lace, to simple cards with sweet poems. One in particular reads:
"Dear Vet, In battle you fought, I forget you not, You made our lives bright, Thanks for the fight, Roses are red, Violets are blue, Veterans are special, We love you."
Valentines are sent to the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Head Office in Charlottetown, PEI, where they are sorted and repackaged to be distributed to 2,000 long-term care facilities across Canada.
"Valentines for Vets" began in 1989 when the late American newspaper columnist, Ann Landers, made a call to action in her column, for citizens to remember their nation's Veterans by creating and sending valentines to Veterans in long-term care facilities on February 14th.
For more information on the Valentines for Vets program, visit www.vac-acc.gc.ca
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Media Enquiries:
Pamela Price
Media Relations Advisor
Veterans Affairs Canada
(902) 368-0294
Gerald A. Lefebvre
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
(613) 996-4649
All Other Enquiries:information@vac-acc.gc.ca
