Iowans are being asked to spread around a little love for Valentine’s Day. The Veterans Administration is planning a variety of events next week to show appreciation to men and women in uniform. Will Ackerman is spokesman for the V-A Western Iowa Health Care System. Ackerman says, “We have some different organizations that have come in and do give-aways of cookies and other things, plus we also invite organizations, such as schools and businesses to come in and visit with our veteran patients as a way to thank them for their service.”

Anyone can take part in thanking a veteran by picking up a few extra valentines and making them out to a veteran. Ackerman says, “Get involved by either bringing some valentines to their local VAs or they can mail them in to the VA ahead of time and we will give the valentines to our veterans throughout the week so they recognize they are being thanked for their service.” He says it’s an easy, inexpensive way to brighten the day of a veteran. “We’ve got a couple different organizations that are already scheduled to be there to thank them for their service and give the veterans who are coming in some of these goodies,” Ackerman says. “They’ll also be there to hand out valentines for veterans that people bring in.”

Groups involved include churches, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and others, though he says individuals are also welcome to visit and thank our servicemen and women.

(Radio Iowa)