OTTAWA, Feb. 11, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Orléans, today visited the Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre in Ottawa to deliver valentines handcrafted by Canada's youth.
"Our Veterans need to know that Canadians appreciate and remember their actions and sacrifices made in the name of peace and freedom," said Minister Blaney. "These cards are heartfelt gestures from students across Canada. I encourage all Canadians to show their appreciation for our Veterans this Valentine's Day."
"The valentines we helped deliver today reflect the gratitude that Canadians of all ages feel for our nation's Veterans," said MP Galipeau. "I feel very fortunate to have had the chance to share them with some remarkable local men and women."
Minister Blaney also met with a group of grade four students from Briar Green Public School who were delivering their hand-made valentines to the Veterans.
"It was wonderful to see these young Canadians showing their appreciations to the Veterans," said Minister Blaney. "I could see how touched the Veterans were by the thought and effort poured in to these beautiful cards."
The Valentines for Vets program is now in its 17th year. More than 10,000 Valentine's Day cards, from Canadian schools, individuals and organizations, are distributed by February 14th to Veterans in more than 1,700 long-term care facilities across Canada.
Valentines for Vets began in 1989 when Ann Landers, the late newspaper columnist, inspired her readers to send cards on February 14 to Veterans in long-term care facilities.
For more information on the Valentines for Vets program, visit the Veterans Affairs Canada Web site at veterans.gc.ca.
Image with caption: "Minister Steven Blaney and MP Royal Galipeau meet with Veteran Charles Roberts at the Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre in Ottawa. Mr. Blaney also presented Mr. Roberts with a valentine created by a young Canadian. (CNW Group/Veterans Affairs Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130211_C4582_PHOTO_EN_23528.jpg
SOURCE: Veterans Affairs Canada
Media inquiries:
Janice Summerby
Media Relations Advisor
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468
Jean-Christophe de le Rue
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
613-996-4649
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