Earlier this week students around campus celebrated Valentine's Day with presents, candy and flowers. UD's Air Force Cadets however, have been celebrating the holiday by spreading love and cheer to local Air Force veterans.

Valentine's for Veterans, a national program sponsored by the ROTC headquarters, is a chance for the cadets to show their appreciation by delivering valentines made by elementary school children.

The local Air Force Cadet Detachment 643, which is comprised of students from UD, Wright State University and Cedarville University, went to the Dayton VA Medical Center Wednesday and Thursday to visit with the veterans. They will make an additional visit today. There, they presented the Veterans with cards made by students at Kinder, Harman, Edwin D. Smith and Bell Creek elementary schools.

According to Leo Burkardt, junior mechanical engineering major and Valentine's for Veterans participant, the goal of the event is to provide thank you cards and company to local veterans to show support and gratitude.

'It's important to go see the veterans because a lot of them are from the Vietnam era and they didn't get the recognition they deserved until later on,' Burkardt said. 'It's good to say, hey thanks for what you did, we appreciate it and still remember you.'