Post Cards of Thanks to Veterans

Grade 6 students from across the province are getting an opportunity to personally thank veterans for their sacrifice and dedication during wartime.

Today, the House of Assembly's standing committee on veterans affairs launched the Post Cards of Thanks program. Through the program, 13,000 students will each be provided with a thank-you card to send to a veteran during Veterans Week, Nov. 8-14.

Murray Scott, chair of the committee, says the program will provide students with a personal contact to assist in their understanding of the role veterans played in preserving democracy.

"This may seem like a simple gesture," said Mr. Scott. "But we hope that the value of the exercise will multiply tenfold by instilling in our youth a knowledge and appreciation for the sacrifice and dedication of those who came before us."

In the weeks ahead, each Grade 6 student in Nova Scotia will receive a postcard and stamp. The children will be encouraged to identify a veteran in their community so that they can write a personal thank-you note to this person. The Royal Canadian Legion, Nova Scotia Command, will help the children hook up with veterans.

The standing committee on veterans affairs is co-ordinating the program with the federal Department of Veterans Affairs, Nova Scotia school boards, and the Royal Canadian Legion. The postcards were designed and supplied by the federal department.

The program's $6,000 expense has been covered by corporate sponsors -- J.D. Irving, Olands/Labatt Breweries, TRA Maritime, and the Royal Bank.