Valentines for Vets – Teacher’s guide

Learning outcomes

To help youth understand the significance of the sacrifices and achievements of Canada's Veterans or Canadian Armed Forces members.
To link youth and Veterans or Canadian Armed Forces members in a personal way.

Valentines for Vets

The Valentines for Vets program helps us thank our Veterans all year. It provides an opportunity to talk to children and youth about Canada's proud military history and the accomplishments and sacrifices of our Veterans. Though they may never meet those who created the valentines, Veterans who receive them appreciate and cherish these messages.

Instructions

Explain what a Veteran is and what Canadian Armed Forces members do.
Discuss the different tasks these Canadians do during military service. This includes service on land, at sea and in the air. Many service members have deployed to countries around the world. Keep in mind that many of them serve in Canada. They have helped with natural disasters and emergency situations. There are dozens of trades in the military as well—they are all important. Our past and present military members deserve recognition!
Encourage youth to write messages of appreciation. You can have them write how they will remember the sacrifices and achievements of Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members.
Collect and read the valentines to ensure the messages are appropriate before you give or send them to a Veteran.

Important

Please do not include candy or chocolate with the valentines.
Do not use sparkles or materials that easily break off the cards.
Encourage your students to sign their first name on the valentines. Ask them to write a bit about themselves, such as their age and what school they attend. Exclude addresses or phone numbers.
Do not put individual valentines in sealed envelopes. Mail us all the valentines in one large envelope.
Exclude the date or year on the valentines.
Ensure your students are aware of who Veterans are. They are living and were men and women who served in the military.
Avoid using "RIP" and images related to violence or death such as graveyards or guns.
If you mail your completed valentines, please remember postage is at the sender’s expense.

Message ideas

Tell the Veteran why they are important.
Say what you plan to do this year to remember our nation's proud military history.
Express the reason you want to wish them a Happy Valentine's Day.
Thank the Veteran for his or her service, sacrifice and commitment to our country and citizens.
Write a poem. Include one of significance to Valentine's Day or to Veterans, such as, "In Flanders Fields" or "Roses are red."
Send a store-bought valentine. Hand-crafted cards, however, make Veterans feel extra special.
Valentines of all shapes, sizes, and colours are welcome. Greeting-card size is easier to package and distribute.

Message examples

"Thank you for your bravery and courage in the war. Without your courageous acts we may not be here today."
"I sincerely thank you for your dedication to our country. Your sacrifice in the face of great danger, and the bravery that you showed will echo in the generations to come. Your heroism has inspired me to do many things.”
"Thank you for risking your life for my freedom."
"I am sending you a special valentine wish. I want to let you know how much you are appreciated, and thought of often."
“Thank you for risking your life for my freedom.”
"Mere words cannot describe how thankful we all are for all of the devotion and hard work it took to go to war."
"A card made for someone special, who changed the world for the better; and for that you will always be loved, remembered, and treasured."
"For someone special, who's changed the world for the better; you are loved and appreciated and thought of often!"
"We thank you for your many efforts and sacrifices. We feel secure and safe because you made sure that we do. With much gratitude and appreciation."

Have questions about the Valentines for Vets program? Contact us at distribution@veterans.gc.ca

Date modified:: 2024-01-23