Pentagon Airman collects valentines for patients Published Feb. 14, 2005 By Master Sgt. David Byron Air Force Print News WASHINGTON -- Where is the love? That is a question often asked, especially on Valentine’s Day. This year, one answer may be found in a small office in the Pentagon.Air Force Pentagon Enlisted Council officials began what they thought would be a small attempt to brighten the holiday for wounded servicemembers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here.Master Sgt. Robert Wilkins, council president, sent out an e-mail to area offices seeking Valentine’s Day cards made by children to pass on to wounded troops. He said Walter Reed officials welcomed the gesture.“They told me they normally receive outstanding public support during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays,” he said, “but that it slows down considerably the rest of the year.”The plan was somewhat short-notice. The e-mail was sent out with only 12 days until the big day.“We were hoping to get at least 100 cards,” Sergeant Wilkins said. “We were surprised by the response.”Through the magic of modern communication, he said his hope was fulfilled, and then some. His e-mail was forwarded from base to base, from Airmen to families and friends. The week before Valentine’s Day saw more than 3,000 hand-made cards arrive at his office.“They just keep coming in from around the country,” Sergeant Wilkins said. “My voice-mail and e-mail inboxes are also filled to the limit with messages from people who want to take part.”Though most of the cards are from schoolchildren from around the country, there are also a large number from adults and military units. But, the most touching are the children’s.“Kids are much more open, they express themselves well,” Sergeant Wilkins said. “It’s inspiring to see how much they appreciate the military.”The cards came in various shapes, sizes and colors with a wide range of creative effort. But for each card, from the simplest to the most complex, the words inside made the biggest impact, he said.“It can get pretty emotional reading these,” Sergeant Wilkins said. “I’ve encouraged everyone I see who seems to be having a bad day to stop by and read a few. They’ll feel prouder about their job. They’ll also likely walk away teary-eyed.”Some cards expressed gratitude.“Kids all over America were scared on 9/11 and I just wanted to say you made the difference,” read one card. ”I hope you know how thankful America is.”Some cards were simple and to the point.“Thank you for fighting for America,” was all one card read. The card was adorned by a simple stick figure drawing of a servicemember.Some cards hit closer to home.“I always pray for the Soldiers fighting for my freedom,” read yet another card. “I take it seriously because I had an uncle killed in Iraq. You are all my heroes, and you will always be my heroes.”Because of the high number of cards received, the effort will go beyond Walter Reed. Other military hospitals that will receive some of the cards are the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.; Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; and Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.Because of current security and privacy restrictions, Sergeant Wilkins was not able to deliver the cards directly to patients. Instead, he turned them over to American Red Cross officials at the hospitals who, in turn, handed them out to patients.Because of the overwhelming support of this project, Sergeant Wilkins said the enlisted council would expand its scope to other holidays by working with “America Supports You,” a nationwide program launched by Department of Defense officials to recognize citizens’ support of servicemembers.Individuals or groups wishing to show support for the troops can visit the America Supports You Web site at http://americasupportsyou.mil/. “People from the general public who have called and e-mailed me have said they feel the need to become involved,” Sergeant Wilkins said. “They want to feel they can speak to us, show their support and let us know they’re behind us.”