Thanking Veterans for Their Service

11/12 Editor’s Note: John Adams’ blog post is here: “A Veteran’s Salute”. Read below to learn more about the work he is a part of with Operation Gratitude.

In our on-going misson to express the appreciation of the American people for the sacrifices of our Military, Operation Gratitude has launched a new program to deliver thousands of care packages to Military Veterans all across the country.

A “Welcome Home Heroes” celebration sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), a weekly gathering of mostly World War II veterans and a Vietnam Veterans picnic are just a few of the venues at which many of the new “Veterans Care Packages” were recently distributed…and emotionally received.

Upon receiving his care package, one Vietnam Veteran remarked, “No one ever said ‘thank you’ to me before. All that happened when I returned home was I got cursed at and spat on.”

At the gathering of World War II veterans, package recipients nostalgically looked through the items in their care packages and commented how nice or useful it would have been to receive the enclosed snacks and hygiene products when they were at war.  The veteran warriors were especially moved by the personal letters of thanks written by children.

Operation Gratitude’s founder Carolyn Blashek wants Veterans from all eras to know their service is not forgotten. “It’s never too late to say, ‘Thank You‘ to these heroic men and women,” she says.

Blashek cherishes the words of 95-year-old World War II veteran, Steve Politis (pictured right) who said upon receiving an Operation Gratitude Care Package from her: “You are the first person in history to give a care package to someone who served in a war before you were even born.”

Many more care package distribution events are planned in the coming months, leading up to a big outreach for Veterans Day in November. Operation Gratitude volunteers are spending August and September assembling these special gifts, which contain many of the same items sent to those currently serving in harm’s way.

Blashek hopes to get the word out nationwide, noting, “We will send care packages to VA hospitals, Veterans nursing homes, Veterans groups, and other Veteran support organizations all across the country.” She added: “Just as with our care packages to deployed troops, we want to put a smile on the face of every Veteran who courageously served our nation.”

Join us! It is not too late to say “Thank You!”

Every donation of $15 covers the assembly and shipping costs to send another Veterans Care Package.

You can ensure that a care package like the one we gave to Steve Politis reaches a Vietnam War, Korean War or World War II Veteran every month! A recurring monthly donation of $15 works out to just 50-cents per day.

Check out other ways you can support the Veterans Care Package Program along with all our other Care Package Programs: How You Can Help

To request Veterans Care Packages, Program/Activity Directors and Representatives from Veterans groups should contact Operation Gratitude at opgrat@OperationGratitude.com.

Businesses wishing to donate should contact Dana Chotiner at Dana@OperationGratitude.com for more information about corporate sponsorships.