By Roger Anaya, Post Commander
John D Gamble Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8874
Los Alamos

Members of 10 different VFW Posts visited the Albuquerque Veterans Hospital Feb. 16 along with their Ladies Auxiliaries, the Military Order of the Cooties and their Auxiliaries, the Patriot Guard Riders, the Albuquerque Chapter of the American Legion Riders, the Espanola Chapter of the Blue Star Moms, the Bataan Military Academy Cadets, First Fruits Ministry, and Sangre de Cristo Chaplain Services. 

As part of the Valentines for Vets program, we distributed Valentine’s Day Cards, toiletries, writing materials, socks and undershirts, handmade lap blankets, Harley Davidson tee-shirts, books, Bibles, homemade treat gift bags and other amenities to our hospitalized veterans throughout the hospital. This could not have been possible without the generous contributions of many in our communities. We wish to express our deepest appreciation to these supporters for their devotion, thoughtfulness and charity.

We also wish to thank the following supporters who donated to this worthy cause though they were unable to attend: Dr. Jon McDonald, Los Alamos National Bank, Zia Credit Union, Del Norte Credit Union, the
Holiday Inn Express, Worldwide Military Baptist Missions, Valley Bible Baptist Church and the Courtright Apartments.

All together we were able to provide supplies totaling more than $4,020. These amenities were over and above the purpose of our visit — to distribute Valentine’s Day cards to our Veterans and thank them for their
service. Several of the above mentioned groups, handmade Valentine’s Day cards that became one of the most appreciated items our veterans received.

We wish to express our gratitude to all who participated and to all who donated to this worthy program. We add a special note of appreciation to the Albuquerque VFW Post 401 for feeding everyone after the visit and to the volunteers who spent hours making the lap blankets, food and cards. The gifts, donations, and (especially) the time invested reflect the devotion and kindheartedness of the people and businesses of our connected communities.