On Friday, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) kicked off his second annual “Valentines for Veterans” drive by joining first and third graders at the Clara E. Coleman Elementary School in Glen Rock as they designed homemade valentines to send to the Paramus Veterans Home and those served by the Sussex County Community College Veteran Services Office.

The Valentines for Veterans program connects students across the Fifth District and Northern New Jersey to the community’s brave military veterans. There are 34,553 veterans in New Jersey’s Fifth Congressional District and over 400,000 across the Garden State. Congressman Gottheimer also encourages other Fifth District residents to show their appreciation for local veterans by dropping their own cards off at Gottheimer’s offices in Glen Rock and Newton.

“We must always have the backs of those who have had ours,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer. “Our Valentines for Veterans program is an opportunity for our students and community to do just that — to show our gratitude for those in our communities who have stood up to defend of our freedom.”

Rep. Gottheimer admiring the valentines first and third graders at the Clara E. Coleman Elementary School made for North Jersey veterans at the Paramus Veterans Home.

Rep. Gottheimer presenting Glen Rock Public Schools Board of Education President Bryon Torsiello with a Congressional Certificate of Recognition for helping connect students with the community’s military veterans.

Rep. Gottheimer meeting first graders at the Clara E. Coleman Elementary School as they designed homemade valentines to thank North Jersey veterans.