Duty Calls: Christmas Greetings Make Holidays Brighter for Troops, Veterans

The holiday season can be a difficult and lonely time of year for our service men and women who are deployed overseas, in veterans hospitals and army installations, away from family and friends. That’s why I am thrilled that so many people across Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties took the time again this year to send holiday greetings through the “Christmas Cards for Our Troops” program.

Receiving a card through the mail can make a big difference for a current or former member of the military, letting them know that we support them and are thinking of them during the holiday season. Our troops sacrifice so much to protect our freedom and sending them warm wishes in a cheerful, holiday card is just one small way to show them we care, that we are thinking about them and are thankful for their service.

This year, over 10,000 cards were donated by students, community groups, local businesses, individuals and families across Central and Northern New York. The collected cards were part of the more than 200,000 distributed through the “Christmas Cards for Our Troops” program this year. The annual effort is spearheaded by the Albany Veterans Miracle Center and Ogdensburg native and radio personality Melody Burns.

Through the generosity of Central and Northern New Yorkers over the last several years, we have been able to send Christmas greetings and a touch of home to roughly 40,000 active duty soldiers and veterans. Whether you contributed one card or 100 cards, I would like to thank each and every person throughout our region who helped to bring a bit of holiday cheer to these brave men and women who have given so much in the name of protecting our freedom.