LUDOWICI – With Congress on a break, U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter is traversing his 15-county district.

This time, in conjunction with Valentine’s Day, he’s handing out Valentine’s cards to first responders and veterans.

The effort is called “Friends of the First,” and is in its second year. For its inaugural edition, it was known as “First of the First,” with Valentine’s Day cards going to first responders.

“This year we expanded it and called it ‘Friends of the First,’” Carter said. “We wanted to make sure all of our veterans and our first responders knew how much we appreciate them.”

Rep. Carter brought along dozens of cards to hand out to Long County first responders and to the Long County High School JROTC instructors in his stop in Ludowici on Tuesday..

The cards are made by school children, and Rep. Carter and his staff deliver them around the 1st District.

“It’s a win-win – it helps the kids build respect for first responder and veterans, and lets the veterans and first responders know they are appreciated and loved,” Carter said.

The tour started in Bryan County at a nursing home, with cards going to the vets and patients there, before making a stop at the VA outpatient clinic in Hinesville. The itinerary took Rep. Carter to Pierce, Ware, Appling and Bacon counties to finish the day.

Rep. Carter also plans to make his sixth trip to the U.S.-Mexico border during this break.