From students' hands to veterans' hearts

The 507th Air Refueling Wing, along with four area schools, have partnered up to celebrate veterans from the Norman, Okla., Veterans Center this Valeentine's Day. This marks the seventh consecutive year the 507th ARW has partnered with local schools to bring Valentines for Vets to the center's residents. This year, students from Central and Surrey Hills Elementary Schools in Yukon, Okla., along with students from D.D. Kirklan Elementrary and Putnam City High School in the Putnam City, Okla., school district produced more than 850 personalized St. Valentine's Day messages. "Since 2006, I've had the privilege and honor of organizing and helping students produce more than 6,550 Valentine cards for our nation's heroes," said Bill Pierce, principal of Kirkland Elementary and a major with the 507th ARW. "For my students, it's been a great learning opportunity and a meaningful way to give back to these men and women that have sacrificed so much," said Pierce.