Valentines for Vets

Technical Sergeants Ronald Olson (left) and Anthony Battaglia, Crew Chiefs, 914th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron display their custom made valentine cards at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y. on February 10, 2015. School children from various local schools in Erie County, N.Y. prepared these cards and many more with love and admiration to many local Western New York military members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Peter Borys)

With love, from Erie County

Published Feb. 11, 2015
By Peter Borys
914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --
Military members here at the base received special greetings just in time for Valentines Day.

Erie County Legislator Edward Rath III, District 6 (Amherst, Clarence, Newstead), along with Legislator Lynne Dixon representing District 9 (Buffalo, Lackawanna, Hamburg), and Legislator Joseph Lorigo, District 10 (West Seneca, Elma, Marilla, Aurora, Wales, Colden & Holland), delivered special hand made Valentine greetings for the troops made through the efforts of local students.

This is the fifth year local students from 19 area schools in Erie County, N.Y. and the legislators have gotten involved in the annual Valentines for Veterans program which keeps growing in popularity. Thousands of cards were delivered to local veterans and active members of the military to thank them for their service.

"Today we have, literally, boxes full of valentines thanking our Veterans for their service," said Edward Rath III. "All of my colleagues in the county legislature are thrilled that the children stepped up to the plate and created these beautiful Valentine's Day cards to express their appreciation, but also to thank all of (the veterans) for your heroism and commitment in protecting our freedoms."