Volunteers at VA ‘Santa Post Command’ send holiday messages to sailors aboard USS Iwo Jima
At the VA Christmas Celebration in Cape Coral Saturday, Dec. 6, veterans, caregivers and family stopped in at the Senior Helpers’ “Santa Post Command” to hand write cards filled with encouragement and holiday messages for service members unable to be home this season. The writers ranged in age from 5-year-olds to Vietnam veterans.
This was an emotional, highly visual moment, according to organizers. Veterans sat down at Santa’s Command Post and wrote messages like, “I’ve been in your shoes…I know how you feel.” Several thanked volunteers through tears, expressing how meaningful it felt to send support directly to those currently deployed.
At one point, a young girl wrote “Merry Christmas, Dad,” believing her note would reach him overseas.
In total, 250 cards are now headed to 2,000 sailors aboard the USS Iwo Jima, and the VA has already asked Senior Helpers to return next year because of the overwhelming response to this effort supporting our troops overseas.
The VA Clinic in Cape Coral is at 2489 Diplomat Parkway, E. Visit va.gov for more about the facility.