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Harrison Students Bring Valentines' Greetings To Veterans

HARRISON, N.Y. -- Students from Parsons Elementary School showed their love for veterans Wednesday night, Feb. 12, by giving them Valentine's Day cards at the Harrison American Legion post.

Harrison veterans and students came together Thursday night so that the students could show their appreciation for their service.

Harrison veterans and students came together Thursday night so that the students could show their appreciation for their service.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue
Students from Parsons Elementary School hand Valentine's Day Cards to Harrison veterans as part of the "Valentines for Vets" program.

Students from Parsons Elementary School hand Valentine's Day Cards to Harrison veterans as part of the "Valentines for Vets" program.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue
The "Valentines for Vets" program was started this year by Assemblyman David Buchwald as a way for the community to show their appreciation for veterans and their service.

The "Valentines for Vets" program was started this year by Assemblyman David Buchwald as a way for the community to show their appreciation for veterans and their service.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue
The students from Parsons Elementary School's Green Key Club, who created and distributed the Valentine's Day cards for veterans.

The students from Parsons Elementary School's Green Key Club, who created and distributed the Valentine's Day cards for veterans.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue
Veterans from both the Harrison American Legion and the Harrison VFW came out Thursday night to meet the students from Parsons.

Veterans from both the Harrison American Legion and the Harrison VFW came out Thursday night to meet the students from Parsons.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue
Harrison American Legion Commander Joe Mazzullo, Assemblyman David Buchwald and Parsons Elementary Principal Mark Woodard.

Harrison American Legion Commander Joe Mazzullo, Assemblyman David Buchwald and Parsons Elementary Principal Mark Woodard.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue

The event was part of Assemblyman David Buchwald's new program "Valentines for Vets." Across the county, students from 15 schools are delivering about 2,000 Valentine's Day cards to veterans to show their appreciation for their service to our country. 

"Valentine's Day is a day of love, so what better time to do this than this time of year?" said Joe Mazzullo, commander of the Harrison American Legion Post. "I am very, very impressed and very, very humbled by how many did show up. I like the idea of children getting to know what veterans are all about."

"We're so thrilled that so many members of the community, both young and old, have realized how important it is to say "Thank you" to veterans," Buchwald said. "It shows that Valentine's Day is an occasion to express gratitude to everyone who makes this community to special."

Ten students from Parsons' Green Key Club handed about 300 valentines to veterans from both the Harrison American Legion and the Harrison Veterans of Foreign Wars. The Green Key Club is coordinated by teachers Emily Almeida and Chris Gallagher, and performs many charitable acts in the community throughout the year, including collecting clothes and blankets, holding bake sales for non-profits and raising money for soup kitchens and the Harrison Food Pantry.

"They loved this. They spent a lot of time and effort on these cards. They are very dedicated students," said Almeida.

"Green Key is all about helping our community," said Hannah Karkout, a fifth-grade student at Parsons. "We enjoy helping the Valentines for Veterans project, and it has become a success."

Another Valentines for Vets event planned for Friday at 11 a.m. at the Harrison Senior Center was postponed because of inclement weather.

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