Military Families Send Valentines to Iraq

The merchants and people of Davis and neighboring communities made the Valentines and Chocolates for the Troops! event at the Davis Farmer’s Market Saturday, January 21 a rousing success.

Several hundred boxes and bags of chocolates and Valentine candy were donated. Staffed by volunteers Joy Galloway and Diana Castillo, over 100 red, pink and white heart-laced valentines were hand-made, decorated and written by both adults and children at the colorful booth festooned with Valentines Day balloons. Many people also donated money towards the shipping costs.

One tiny girl carefully drew “pictures” on several valentines, followed by her mother’s careful lettering “Frances, age 2”. Kindergarten boys wrote their names on the back of commercial baseball card valentines. Teenage girls wrote sweet messages such as “We’re thinking of you everyday” and “May the heart of this valentine reach yours”. One man wrote that he remembered mail call as being the best part of the day in Vietnam and sent his good wishes for a safe return. The moms and grandmothers of the troops receiving boxes from the event were tearfully appreciative.

Ten boxes each holding enough valentines and chocolate for 10 men and women will be sent to the following troops in various areas of Iraq to share with their squads:

SSG John Whitlock

PVT Brian D. Fowell

SSGT Robert C. Alviso

SSGT Jason D. Walker

SGT K.J. Minkler

CPL Andy Andrade

SPC4 Travis Lewis

1LT David Tsang

Michael Smith (rank unknown)

Military Families Speak Out, the event’s sponsor, would like to thank the following merchants for donations of chocolate, valentines, craft supplies, and balloons: Davis Food Coop; Safeway, East Davis; Safeway, South Davis; The Candy Store of Davis, 7-11 on L Street; Carousel Stationary; Starbucks, downtown; Longs Drugs; and Navin’s Copies. Also thanks to volunteers and donors Sequoia Harless, Nancy Patterson, Linda Hirst, Trudi Richardson, Keltie Jones, Jan Poole, Will Lotter, and Judy Reynolds.