Operation Valentine

Project provides homemade cards to Fort Hood soldiers, VA residents

Feb 06, 2023

A group of Bell County funeral homes seeks help in making Valentine’s Day greeting cards to distribute at Fort Hood and at the Veterans Center in Temple. Cards may be dropped off at Los Tres Magueyes Cantina, 2801 S. General Bruce in Temple, and Jason’s Deli by Feb. 12. David Stone photo

DAVID STONE | OUR TOWN TEMPLE

A Central Texas business wants to make sure local soldiers and veterans receive a special treat this Valentine’s Day.

The company — Letum, Inc. — is asking kids, adults, church groups and organizations to create the cards, which will be distributed on Fort Hood, at local VFW posts and at the Olin E. Teague Veterans Center in Temple.

Operation Valentine is in its fourth year, and it has steadily grown.
“There are a lot of lonely soldiers and veterans in our area who don’t have families or loved ones nearby,” said Dava Villafranca, Operation Valentine organizer and a family service counselor at Letum’s Temple Garden of Memories, Heritage Funeral Home in Harker Heights and Killeen Funeral Home and Cemetery.

“So far, we have about 50 cards made, and we need hundreds to distribute,” she said. “We hope the public gets behind this project to show support to our military and those who have served our great country. We want to thank and encourage military personnel.”

Last year, more than 200 cards were distributed, and Villafranca hopes to crush that number this Valentine’s.

Cards may be dropped off at Los Tres Magueyes Cantina, 2801 S. General Bruce, and Jason’s Deli at MarketPlace Shopping Center, both in Temple; at Killeen Funeral Home or at Heritage Funeral Home in Harker Heights. The drop-off deadline is Sunday, Feb. 12.

The Killeen funeral home has set up a card-making table for people who need supplies.

“Receiving a special greeting on Valentine’s Day is a wonderful way to say thank you to our service men and women, and to our veteran community,” Villafranca said. “Troops often go days or even weeks without hearing from a loved one.”

“Bell County is heavy on the military, and we want to show our local heroes that we care.”

Many of the cards already received were created by school kids, and most have a military theme.