The coronavirus pandemic has made the situation hard for our war-time veterans and women. Like many other elderly people, they have been partially isolated from their families and communities. The card campaign run by Posti together with the war veteran associations reminds us of the importance of staying in touch.
By now, the average age of our veterans is 95. The aim of the card campaign is to send a greeting to all of our veterans and war-time women, delivered by mail carriers on Independence Day.
“We are arranging the card campaign for the sixth time already. It has become an important tradition. Many of our honorary citizens may feel lonely, and they may not be familiar with digital means of staying in touch. We know that a traditional card makes both the recipient and the sender happy. For the generation of veterans, letters and cards are the most familiar way of communicating, and we want to show them our respect in a familiar way that makes them happy,” says Posti’s Tuija Åkerman.
There are currently 6,500 card-carrying veterans in Finland. In addition, there are also roughly 15,000 war-time women remaining. The card campaign is aimed at bringing light and joy to their daily lives.
“It’s a wonderful thing our generation can remember and show gratitude to the men and women who we have to thank for a free and independent Finland. Let’s do it together and with gratitude,” says Pia Mikkonen, of the Sotiemme Veteraanit (Our War Veterans) and Sotiemme Naiset (The Women of our Wars) collection.
Cards can be sent by private individuals, school classes, groups of colleagues or groups of hobbyists. Writing a card with young people is also a great opportunity to tell them about the history and independence of Finland. You can send several cards in one envelope. You don’t need to attach stamps or add address information on the cards inside the envelope.
Sending a card is a way to show respect to the men and women who fought for us in the war. You can send your thanks and greetings on a card to:
Posti Ltd
A card for a veteran
P.O. Box 7230
FI-00002 HELSINKI, Finland
Mail carriers will deliver the cards to veterans and our war-time women in accordance with address information provided by Finland's War Veteran Association (Suomen Sotaveteraaniliitto), the Disabled War Veterans Association of Finland (Sotainvalidien Veljesliitto) and Veteran Soldiers (Rintamaveteraaniliitto), and to war widows in accordance with address information provided by the Aid Society for War Widows and Relatives of the Fallen (Kaatuneitten Omaisten liitto).
The campaign starts on October 19, and cards can be sent until November 12.
Read more and take part at www.posti.fi/kiitos
Campaign sites are only in Finnish and Swedish.
