Minister of Veterans Affairs delivers students' Valentines to Veterans residing at Hillsdale Estates and Terraces

Minister O'Toole meets with Veterans of Regional Municipality of Durham

OSHAWA, ON, Feb. 13, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Erin O'Toole, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Member of Parliament for Durham, today presented Veterans at Oshawa's Hillsdale Estates and Terraces with hand-crafted valentines bearing messages of thanks and admiration. The unique and special cards were created by students, organizations and individuals from across Canada as part of the Valentines for Vets program.

Each year, Valentines for Vets delivers thousands of valentines to long-term care facilities across the country. The program is particularly popular in schools, giving students the opportunity to appreciate and understand the tremendous sacrifices and achievements of Canada's men and women in uniform.

Earlier today, Minister O'Toole, along with Pat Perkins, Member of Parliament for Whitby–Oshawa, and Corneliu Chisu, Member of Parliament for Pickering–Scarborough East, also met with Veterans from the Regional Municipality of Durham to gain their perspectives on key issues facing Veterans and their families. 

Quick Facts  

• Over 11,000 valentines will be distributed this year to Veterans in more than 1,500 long-term care facilities across Canada.
• Valentines for Vets began in 1989 when the late columnist Ann Landers encouraged her readers to create special valentines for Veterans.
• In 1996, to continue Ann Landers' legacy, Veterans Affairs Canada became involved with the program and has been receiving and distributing valentines to Veterans in care facilities across the country ever since.
• All Canadians are encouraged to send a special Valentine's Day message of their own by sending virtual cards to Veterans they know and love.

Quotes

"The Valentines for Vets program is a great way to connect young people with our Veterans in a way that thanks them for their service and encourages young people to learn more about our military history."
The Honourable Erin O'Toole, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Member of Parliament for Durham

"I appreciated the time Minister O'Toole took to meet with Veterans from Pickering–Scarborough East. To ensure Veterans and their families have the support they need, it is important we maintain an open and respectful dialogue."
Corneliu Chisu, Member of Parliament for Pickering–Scarborough East

"I am pleased Minister O'Toole is meeting with Veterans from the Durham Region to gain a better understanding of the issues facing those who have served."
Pat Perkins, Member of Parliament for Whitby–Oshawa

"We are pleased to show our love and gratitude to our Veteran residents on the occasion of Valentine's Day as a way of saying thank you for serving our country. We also take a moment to remember the fallen."
Jhon Rankin, Administrator, Hillsdale Terraces

Related Products

• Valentines for Vets Program
• Remembrance: veterans.gc.ca/iremember
• World Wars Commemoration

Associated Links

• Hillsdale Estates
• Hillsdale Terraces
• The Ontario Regiment

SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada

Related Links

www.veterans.gc.ca