CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Veterans to receive valentines from local youth

The Oskaloosa Herald - 2/3/2017

Feb. 01--OSKALOOSA -- Hand-crafted valentines were created for veterans by local youth and adults during a special event held Tuesday.

Valentines for Veterans was an event sponsored by Penn Central Mall, the American Legion, Oskaloosa Hy-Vee and the Oskaloosa Herald, with assistance from the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Tables were set up in different areas of the mall, filled with colorful crafting materials and all the tools needed to create the cards.

American Legion Post Commander Darrin Alderson said the event was a partnership with community entities to help honor local veterans.

"The idea is to get out awareness about veterans and try to get valentines out to active duty service members who are currently serving in the armed forces," Alderson said. "It looks like we're having a really good turnout so far, so we'll be able to get to the local nursing homes as well and then [extra] also to the Iowa Veterans Home"

Most veterans, Alderson remarked, don't want any recognition other than maybe a thank you.

"There's so much going on right now in our world and our state. I think as a veteran, I want to try to help make our [area] a better place," he said.

Alderson said events like Valentines for Veterans are "a way for us to cotinue to serve our communities, our state and our nation; and that's really what the American Legion and the VFW is about. Continuing the fight for veterans' rights and legislative matters and dealing with healthcare and stuff for them."

Alderson suggested visiting the Harry L. Anderson American Legion Post 34 Facebook page for more information, or the state-level American Legion page at www.ialegion.org and the national page at www.legion.org.

The cards were artistically crafted by people of all ages; many had a patriotic theme. "Thank you for your service," was written on one, the outside festooned with flags and flowers. "I hope you get lots of love on Valentines day."

Alderson estimated around 200 cards were made and around 100 children stopped by to make them.

-- Herald staff writer Angie Holland can be reached at aholland@oskyherald.com and followed on Twitter @OskyAngie.

___

(c)2017 The Oskaloosa Herald (Oskaloosa, Iowa)

Visit The Oskaloosa Herald (Oskaloosa, Iowa) at www.oskaloosa.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.