Chaparral Middle School Language Arts teacher Christy Passoth recently came up with a way for students to do something special for people who have given so much: Valentines for Veterans.

About 150 seventh grade students participated, creating poems for disabled veterans that let them know their service was appreciated. After writing a few drafts, the final verses were put onto cards.

Student Joshua Pei wrote, “You know who you are, a hero full of grit, who did everything without any personal benefit,” while Helen Huh wrote, “We honor the sacrifices you have made, and the price for freedom you have paid.”

The cards were sent to the spinal cord injury ward at the V.A. Hospital in Long Beach, and they will be distributed on Valentine’s Day.

“Their poetic writing skills illustrate their values of character,” Passoth said. “Our students truly are making a difference in the world.”