San Mateo County Students Create 3,000 Valentine's Cards for Vets

“Roses are red, Violets are blue, Our freedom is secure, Because of you.”

That's just one of the more than 3,000 special messages delivered to area vets this Valentine's Day as part of a project spearheaded by Congresswoman Jackie Speier.

Students ages 6 to 18 from 38 schools around San Mateo County together helped create the greetings.

According to the office of Congresswoman Jackie Speier, she helped coordinate the project along with Superintendent Anne E. Campbell, San Mateo County Office of Education, and her staff.  

“I am inspired by the outpouring of support for our veterans by our elementary, middle school and high school students," Speier said.  "They clearly care about the sacrifices made by our veterans and have found creative and moving ways to express that in art."

The congresswoman said she started the project, thanks to some inspiration from syndicated newspaper columnist Ann Landers, who when she encouraged her readers to send Valentines cards to veterans in VA facilities across the country more than 20 years ago.

Here's another message shared with Patch: 

 “Dear Veteran, Words cannot explain how grateful I am for what you have done to help our country. You risked your lives for people you have never even met, that’s what I call LOVE. And love is the most powering thing. That’s why I want you to know that thisValentine’s Day, you are LOVED, you are loved for everything you have done. I know we have never met before, but when I grow up, I want to be just like YOU. You’re amazing, you’re courageous, you’re outstanding and most of all, you are a LOVING person (and by the way, I think those are the best people on Earth). So thank you! I want you to know you are VERY appreciated for what you do.”


These local cards were delivered to the San Francisco VA Medical Hospital, according to Speier's office.