I read this in the paper this week and wanted to pass the word along to all of the great card and letter-senders here!! 

"For many hospitalized veterans today, a kind word of acknowledgement for their service helps provide them with a sense of comfort and belonging. In 2008, over 5.5 million veterans received care in VA health care facilities. With compassionate professionals providing an outstanding level of care, it is still the human contact that provides comfort to the mind and soul of the veteran.

  The 2009 National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans is Feb. 8-14. Last year more than a million Valentines were received at our VA medical centers. There is a delight in a veteran's face when they open a Valentine delivered by a volunteer. The simple thanks proves that our citizens have not forgotten their service to our great nation.

  To deliver Valentines to your local VA hospital, you can find the address in the local phone book or visit our website at www.va.gov/directory and select your state from the map."   James Reynolds, National Salute Chairman

  Let's go at this with the usual Junkie enthusiasm and make this Valentines Day special for as many veterans across the nation as we can!!!  Thanks!!

Hi All,

BEFORE sending the valentines, PLEASE be sure to check with the hospital to be sure they are set up to receive them.

 Walter Reed has had much difficulty with being SWAMPED with Christmas Cards, etc... and has often posted NOT to send the cards unless you have a name of a specific patient.  Unfortuntely the safety screening alone is a major undertaking.

 But, yes!  The wounded/recovering troops LOVE to hear from us.  Contact a local military chaplain -- he/she may be able to get specific names for you.

Take care,

Anna - Baltimroe MD

Another place you might contact is the local Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW.  I know our group holds bingo parties monthly at the VA hospitals and nursing home in our area.  We always take cards with us to pass out for the varios holidays.  The group in your area might do something similar.  Lynne B.

I think the suggestion of sending the valentines to your LOCAL state VA hospitals will help prevent any one location from being overwhelmed with mail all at once. There are 3 hospitals in WI that I plan to send cards to. I would think that specific names don't need to be used for this project if the chairman of the event didn't indicate that. Walter Reed might be an exception because of the many patients there from Iraq and Afghanistan, but I'm guessing that VA hospitals in many of the states are serving more veterans from WW II, Korea, Vietnam, etc. than those from the current conflicts.  There is a link on the VA website to the Salute for Hospitalized Veterans week if you want to check into it more.

I think probably ever AmLegion Aux visits the VA hospitals in their areas, I know the ones is this state do.  The closes hospital is over 100 miles away, but each Aux. goes several times a year so I'm taking a bunch of the valentines the kids made at school.  One big batch was addressed to Dear Veteran,   rather than Marine, Soldier, etc. so they will be perfect.

Anita