Valentines for Our Soldiers

Here are some Valentine's Day poems for our soldiers who are far away from home, some with families but some with no family at all. I think of a young man fighting in an extremely harsh environment, constantly facing danger and the chance that he won't make it home. Many thousands haven't. My comfort and safety are owed to him.

Valentine's Day is a real part of the American culture that our soldiers grew up in. A valentine from home will give them one more needed connection with the home they love. If you know of a soldier overseas, especially one with no family here, please print the poem below and send it to him or her, or email it. It's a small way that we can tell our soldiers how we really care for them and truly appreciate what they're doing for all of us.

I've also included a poem for the child of a soldier. Children feel such a sense of relief when they can express their feelings of love and longing for someone they miss very much. Many times they don't know how to do this or even that they need to. Print this poem for your child to draw a picture on, or to write I love you on it. Then send it off and you'll see the happiness that this has brought to your child, and to you.

From a Soldier's Mother on Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day brings the memory
Of a little boy smiling up at me
His handmade valentine held out
Made just for me
Saying I Love You
Will you be my valentine?
So long ago
That precious memory
Fades to a red heart-shaped box
Of chocolates on the table
My little boy grown up-almost
In those crazy teenage years
Stopping to say I love you
On Valentine's Day...
Now you're so far away
My precious son, the soldier
All the memories
End in the same place
In my heart
And come pouring out
To say one thing
I love you
I love you so much
You are still my dear valentine...

A Valentine for the Soldier Far Away From Home
Though you don't know me
I'm thinking of you
On Valentine's Day
A soldier now, protecting us
But wondering if you remember
Being a young boy, or young girl
Sitting in school, trying to read
But really hoping for a special valentine
On that Valentine's Day
One young child
Only thinking of one small thing
A secret sign of affection
While the world waged wars
And governments rose and were brought down
I hope this can be
Your few moments to discover
That sign of affection
In someone like me
Love in my heart for you
For all you've given me, and everyone
Hoping you can come home soon
Come home to the home you give
All of us here
Soldiers like you
In my heart
On Valentine's Day...

To My True Valentine
Valentine's Day
Reminders all around
Reminding me that you're so far away
But always so close, too
In my mind
In my heart
When I open the door
I come home to the sound of your voice
The sound of a memory
Your voice calling my name
When I fall asleep at night
For just a moment
I feel you nearby
Someday soon
I pray you will be
Just know in your heart, always
That I love you
I love you so much
You are my true valentine...

To My Daddy on Valentine's Day
I wish you were here
To play with me
All day long on Valentine's Day
And tuck me in bed at night
But that's ok, Daddy
I know sometimes
A soldier has to go far away
But when you can come home
We'll play and play
And at night
When you tuck me in
You'll be right here with me
So I can say
I love you, Daddy
I love you so much
You are my valentine...