Copyright © 2005 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2005 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Little fingers using tiny scissors to cut hearts and valentine greetings scribbled in crayon is heartwarming to everyone, including some of the bravest soldiers in the country. The Cherokee Nation is asking classrooms and individuals alike to remember the veterans of the United States military this Valentine’s Day.
Laney Cully, a student at
the Cherokee Nation
Child Development Center,
draws a heart on her home-made valentine.
"We realize that the emphasis has been on our active duty service personnel, deployed reservists and guardsmen, but let’s not forget the veterans who are confined to hospitals and nursing homes," said Rogan Noble, director of the Cherokee Nation Office of Veterans Affairs. "Many younger vets are coming home from Afghanistan and Iraq, to begin long periods of rehabilitation from wounds and injuries. We can never repay these valiant vets for the sacrifices they made, but we can do something to cheer them up and let them know that they are not forgotten."
Individuals, church groups, schools and civic organizations are invited to support this project by making valentine cards and dropping them off at the Cherokee Nation. The Cherokee Nation will distribute them.
"Some of the valentines will be sent to troops in the Middle East, Korea, Germany, Okinawa, but the biggest share will go to the VA nursing homes in Claremore and Talihina, and the two VA Medical Centers in Muskogee and Fayetteville," Noble said.
The valentines may be addressed with a general greeting similar to "Our Vets" or "My Hero" and should be signed with a first name only.
"Hand-made valentines are real heart warmers, especially the ones made by the younger kids," Noble added. "Please do not send us blank valentines. A small thank you is enough to warm the heart of any veteran. This project costs so little and brings so much happiness to the men and women who were willing to lay down their lives for us. They deserve to be remembered."
For more information on the Cherokee Nation Valentines for Vets program call Rogan Noble, phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2694). Valentines may be dropped off the at the Cherokee Nation Office of Veterans Affairs located in the Cherokee Nation Office Complex, directly behind the Restaurant of the Cherokees, 3.5 miles south of Tahlequah on Highway 62
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
|
Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |