February 14, 2001
Cards express heartfelt thanks
Brownies, Girls Scouts make valentines for veterans
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
If you want to see grown men cry, bring them valentines.
Veterans (and others) have a hard time not getting choked up over sentiments such as:
Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
Sugar is Sweet
And Flags fly because of you.
This poem was composed by Lydia Belanger, a third grader at Sabin Elementary School. Belanger is also a Brownie in Troop 52 and members of her troop and Girls Scout Troop 51 made dozens of valentines for area veterans. Last year they sent their valentines to veterans living in VA hospitals downstate. This year, led by troop leader Cindy Belanger, they decided to share their efforts locally.
"We wanted to recognize veterans for their service," said Cindy Belanger, whose father is a Korean War veteran.
Last Wednesday, the 27 members of the two troops visited VFW Post 2780 in Traverse City to drop off their cards. Welcomed by post commander Ervin Lantzer, the girls' works got the tears flowing around the room.
"This means a lot to these veterans because a lot of them don't have anyone to visit them," said Lantzer, who will help distribute the valentines today to veterans living in area nursing homes. "Reading them broke my heart."
Belanger and the post's officers also arranged a talk by Sergeant First Class Barbara Conway, a member of the Army for 20 years currently stationed in Traverse City. Conway discussed her life and career in the Army as the girls eagerly peppered her with questions: is your job fun, how old are you, do you live in this building and do you have a gun were just a few of the inquires.
"My job is different every day," Conway told the girls. "I have traveled to a lot of places and just about every state in the United States. Over the course of 20 years I've picked up six different jobs."