Jan 23, 2011 3 min read

Dear Annie: Over the years, your readers have opened their hearts to America’s veterans by participating in the National Salute to Veteran Patients each February. This past year, more than 300,000 valentines were received at VA medical centers, and 15,252 visitors visited more than 45,000 veteran patients. This program encourages readers to visit and volunteer at our Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and to send letters of thanks to those who have protected our nation. As I saw personally during our 2010 Salute, our veterans always appreciate this heartfelt acknowledgement of their service.

An outstanding VA staff of 239,000 and 85,000 volunteers at our 1,400 sites provide care and support to our veterans with the state-of-the-art health care they earned defending our great nation. VA is projected to treat 6.1 million patients in 2011 – equivalent to the populations of Los Angeles and Chicago combined. Those 6.1 million veterans, including 439,000 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, will make 83 million outpatient visits and be treated as inpatients 937,000 times.

This year’s National Salute to Veteran Patients will take place February 13-19. Getting involved is easy! You can find all the information you need to deliver a valentine or get additional volunteer information at VA’s Volunteer Service webpage www.volunteer.va.gov. From this site, you can generate an e-mail to your local VA Volunteer Service and find out if they can use valentines or other items. I am personally committed to ensuring our nation’s veterans receive the exceptional care and respect they deserve. We have a sacred trust for those who have worn the uniform of the United States of America. Many of our facilities are planning special events during the week and would be pleased to arrange a visit. Once again, thank you, Annie, for your support of this outstanding program. – L. Tammy Duckworth, Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs

Dear Secretary Duckworth: Every year, our readers make us proud with their outpouring of appreciation for our veterans through the Valentines for Vets program. We know they will come through again. Sending a valentine or, better yet, visiting our veterans or volunteering at one of the VA medical facilities is a wonderful way to express gratitude to those who have served our country.

Every year, the dedicated members of Camp Fire USA participate in this VA program, and Salvation Army volunteers distribute valentines, gifts and refreshments at various VA facilities around the country. Eleven concerts are being held across the country as part of the 2011 National Salute to Veteran Patients Week. If you do not live close enough to a VA facility to drop off your valentines in person, it’s perfectly fine to put them in the mail. Simply check your phone book for the nearest VA facility or go to the VA website at www.volunteer.va.gov.

We can never repay these courageous veterans for the sacrifices they have made on our behalf, but we can take the time to let them know they have not been forgotten. Please remember our veterans this Valentine’s Day. We know of nothing else that costs so little and brings so much happiness. – Marcy and Kathy

Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. To find out more about Annie’s Mailbox and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.