Last Christmas Melvin Simonson received a poinsettia and a card from Leo Carey Post 56 of the American Legion. Other than the gifts from the staff at Broadway Care Assisted Living Plus during a Christmas party, this was his only gift from what can be called an “outsider.” Then sometime later the card was misplaced or lost and he became rather upset.

This situation changed on Friday morning, Feb. 13, when members of the Leo Carey Post 56 American Legion Honor Guard presented Simonson with a multitude of Valentine cards, a small stuffed puppy, several dollars for coffee breaks and treats and other gifts from area citizens.

“I was really surprised. I didn’t expect this many cards.,” Simonson said. He later added, “I don’t gel much company.”

Annabelle Frazier, owner of the retirement center at 512 S. Broadway Ave., said Melvin, a retired farmer from the New Richland area and veteran of U.S. Army service in Korea during 1960-61, now has no visitors or living relatives. She also confirmed that he has been a resident of the home since April 1996 and is a Type 2 diabetic.

Todd Utpadel, club manager of Post 56, heard about the lonely veteran and the lost card incident He decided to do something to make Valentine’s Day special for Simonson.

“Who wants to be lonely on a holiday?” was Utpadel’s comment.

What resulted was a campaign involving several area schools, KATE AM radio, the Salvation Army After School Program, and members of Post 56, its auxiliary, and especially the Honor Guard unit.

Students at Halverson, Sibley and Hawthorne elementary schools in Albert Lea, Glenville-Emmons and the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva schools created mostly handmade cards which were sent to the Legion Hall. Thus, there were over 300 cards and an estimated 150 came from Sibley.

Many of these cards ere specifically addressed to Melvin. Those described as “generic” with no name were given to veterans in area retirement centers later on Friday by the Honor Guard.

However, other people became involved with providing Melvin, and other veterans generally, with Valentine’s Day greetings and gifts. They include candy, a special large card created by Eloise Adams, some handmade crafted items, cards and other gifts resulting from requests made on KATE’s Party Line program and the “Cards for Melvin” campaign, and items donated by members of Post 56.

The candy Valentine hearts and small bars will be diverted to other veterans because of Simonson’s diabetes status.

“I’m glad the Legion could be a part of this,” Utpadel said. “This made more people smile. … Maybe folks will buy an extra card for someone else who’s alone.”