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Valentines to Afghanistan: Deployed Soldiers get treat

  • Published
  • By Bob Fehringer
  • U.S. Transportation Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Valentine's Day may be a little more enjoyable for many Army troops deployed to Afghanistan thanks to a United States Transportation Command Reservist and more than 100 St. Louis area school children. 

The children participated for the third year in the Valentines for Veterans program at Shenandoah Valley Elementary School in Chesterfield, Mo. 

USTRANSCOM became involved through U.S. Army Reservist Lt. Col. Katherine Hipp's daughter, Elena, 10, who attends the school. 

Colonel Hipp, a lawyer for the Army's Judge Advocate General's Corps, Joint Transportation Readiness Unit, St. Louis is currently on short term active duty as the US TRANSCOM deputy inspector general. 

"Cindy Dougherty, a speech language pathologist at Shenandoah Valley Elementary School encouraged all the elementary students to create special, hand-made valentines for the Valentines for Veterans program," Colonel Hipp said. "This is a nation-wide program with a mission to send Valentines Day greetings to our veterans." 

Ms. Daugherty said she organized the program "as a way of thanking veterans to whom we owe our freedom. 

"The children made the cards with a great deal of creativity and enthusiasm," Daugherty continued. "They are pleased to personally tell our uniformed men and women how appreciated their services are." 

Elena Hipp told Daugherty that her mother regularly sent care packages to several colleagues in Afghanistan. 

"The handmade valentines will be going to Master Sgt. Art Wilde, who I worked with at the Human Resources Command, St. Louis for several years," Colonel Hipp said. "He is currently mobilized in Afghanistan and is an outstanding mentor to younger troops and will know where to distribute the cards for the greatest personal impact." 

One of the cards Colonel Hipp sent to Sergeant Wilde was signed by USTRANSCOM Deputy Commander Vice Adm. Ann Rondeau and USTRANSCOM Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. William Johnson. 

"I am pleased to help my daughter and her teacher, who worked with great dedication to organize the kids in their creations," Colonel Hipp said, "So they have the greatest impact possible.