(The Center Square) – Texans and Americans are encouraged to participate in a “Valentine’s for Veterans” program administered through the Texas General Land Office and state veterans’ homes.
The GLO manages 10 Texas State Veterans Homes, which provide affordable, long-term care for Texas veterans, their spouses and Gold Star parents. The facilities are primarily subsidized by the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
Residents’ “daily out-of-pocket rates are well below average and include the cost of medications for veterans,” the GLO explains. Facilities include private or semi-private rooms as well as Memory Care units. “Like all VLB programs, the Texas State Veterans Homes are self-supporting and cost Texas taxpayers virtually nothing. Eligible veterans with a 70% or higher service-connected disability may live at the home for free,” the GLO says.
“February is a month of love and joy, a time to cherish those closest to us. But for many of our veterans, February can also be a lonely time. Some have lost their spouses. Others may not have family nearby and many are spending Valentine’s Day away from loved ones. That’s why in 2021 we started the Valentine’s for Vets program to ensure that no veteran is forgotten on this day of love and appreciation,” GLO Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said in a video announcement encouraging Texans and others to participate in the program.
Last year, a record 37,997 Valentine’s Day cards and letters were mailed to veterans through the program – the largest card donation to date, the GLO says.
“Those cards, letters and drawings brought smiles, laughter, and tears of joy,” Buckingham said. “It was a simple gesture that made a world of difference. This year, we want to do even more.
“We need your help to send love to our veterans. Whether it’s a handwritten card, a heartfelt letter or a child’s drawing, every message matters. This is a chance to let our heroes know they are loved, appreciated and never forgotten. I’m asking all Texans, schools, churches and community groups to join us.”
Those interested in participating can download Valentine’s cards from the GLO or mail their own.
Cards and letters can be mailed to any of the 10 state veteran’s homes, should include “Valentines for Vets” in the mailing address and be postmarked by Tuesday, February 10, to ensure timely delivery, the GLO says.
By region, the state veteran’s homes addresses are:
In the Panhandle and west Texas:
Ussery-Roan Texas State Veterans Home, 1020 Tascosa Rd., Amarillo, Texas 79124; Lamun-Lusk-Sanchez Texas State Veterans Home 1809 North Highway 87, Big Spring, Texas 79720; and Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home 9650 Kenworthy St., El Paso, Texas 79924
In north Texas:
Tuskegee Airmen Texas State Veterans Home 2200 Joe B. Rushing Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76119
In central Texas:
William R. Courtney Texas State Veterans Home 1424 Martin Luther King Jr. Lane, Temple, Texas 76504
In the San Antonio area:
Frank M. Tejeda Texas State Veterans Home 200 Veterans Dr., Floresville, Texas 78114
In east Texas:
Watkins-Logan Texas State Veterans Home 11466 Honor Lane, Tyler, Texas 75708
In the Houston area:
Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans Home 1300 Seven Oaks Rd., Bonham, Texas 75418; and Richard A. Anderson Texas State Veterans Home 14041 Cottingham St., Houston, Texas 77048
In the Rio Grande Valley:
Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home 301 East Yuma Ave., McAllen, Texas 78503
Since 2021, Texas’ veteran’s homes have received more than 60,000 Valentine’s cards and letters mailed to them from across the country, the GLO says.
Last year, the Watkins-Logan Texas State Veterans Home in Tyler, Texas, received the most – 13,375 cards, the GLO says.
The Tuskegee Airman Texas State Veterans Home, which had yet to open and receive residents, received 300 cards last February. Applications weren’t accepted for new residents until October of last year.
