MARYVILLE (WATE) – All you need to brighten the holiday season for some local veterans are a pen, a stamp, a card and an envelope. The Blount County Veterans Affairs office is collecting Christmas cards to send to veterans who live in nursing homes, assisted living facilities or those who may not have loved ones sending holiday greetings.
Two words, happy holidays, mean the world to someone serving on the other side of the world.
“When I was overseas, 18 months, there was nothing like mail from home and Christmas cards or gifts were special,” said Korean War Army veteran Leroy Rogers.
Years later, those Christmas cards are still just as special for Rogers. He received a holiday wish Thursday sent by someone he’s never met. It’s because of a collection by Blount County Veterans Affairs.
“When we started this last year we were hoping to get a few dozen cards that we could pass around but we actually got over 2,000 cards,” said Nathan Weinbaum with Blount County Veterans Affairs.
Some of those cards were sent as far away as North Carolina, Massachusetts, South Carolina and even Texas.
“It was amazing that people in different parts of our country and our world are thinking about our veterans here,” said Weinbaum.
If you would like to send a holiday greeting, start with “Dear Veteran,” then a sweet simple message, and sign just your first name.
It has to be dropped off or sent to the Blount County Veterans Affairs office by December 16. You’re asked not to put a return address, do not include pictures or letters, and try not choosing cards with glitter as it can irritate health issues.
Holiday cards can be mailed to:
Blount County Veterans Affairs
305 Court St. Room 429
Maryville, TN 37804
