"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Cherokee Nation Seeks Valentines for Vets

***"Little Miss Cherokee Taylor Goff presents a valentine flower to Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief Joe Grayson, Jr., who is a veteran."***

TAHLEQUAH, OK — Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and who better to show tribute to than military service men and women? As a way to honor the veterans who have fought for our country, its citizens and the freedoms that we hold dear, the Cherokee Nation is sponsoring the Seventh Annual Valentines for Vets Campaign.

“It’s important to take time to honor our veterans and remember the veterans who we cannot thank, because they gave their all for freedom,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “Valentines for Vets is a great way to show our love and support to these fine men and women for the many sacrifices they made to protect our rights as citizens of the United States and the Cherokee Nation.”

According to Rogan Noble, Tribal Veterans Representative, many hospitalized veterans and those in nursing facilities sometimes get forgotten after the holiday season.

“Many of these soldiers don’t have anyone to call on them. While there are a number of places to send cards to active duty and deployed service personnel, too many times past heroes are forgotten,” said Noble. “A Valentine from a child or group could make all the difference in the world to them. I would like to encourage all individuals, school classes, civic organizations, church groups and service organizations to join us in our effort by making handmade Valentine cards for our veterans.”

Little Miss Cherokee, Taylor Goff, made 102 Valentines to distribute to veterans and said that she would encourage other young people and groups to get involved in the campaign because it is a great way to do something nice for someone else.

“When I was making these Valentine’s for the veterans, I felt good about it,” said Goff. “I know that each and every one of these Valentine’s will bring a smile to a someone’s face. What I would love to do is see each one who gets my Valentines and meet them. I didn’t make cards but flowers. The flowers also smell. I wish that I could have made more so some could go to the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. I know I it will make someone feel really loved this Valentine’s Day and hopefully others will feel the same way to.”

The cards will be distributed to four VA facilities in the area, which include: The Jack C. Montgomery VAMC in Muskogee, the VAMC in Fayetteville, Ark. and two nursing facilities in Claremore and Talihina.

Valentines should be handmade and delivered to the Office of Veterans Affairs by Monday, February 11. Valentines can be mailed to Cherokee Nation, Office of Veterans Affairs, P.O. Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465.

For more information contact (918) 453-5694 or email veterans@cherokee.org.