Seventh-grade students in Lindsay Baudier’s social studies class at Robert Frost Middle School showed their appreciation to both past and present military personnel by participating in Applebee’s National Thank You Movement. In honor of Veterans Day, the students personalized their own postcards with messages of thanks and praise for members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

“On Veterans Day, it is important to remember the soldiers who have sacrificed so much for our country,” said Baudier. She explained that the postcard activity taught students the importance of thanking all veterans who have served the country through their continued commitment, courage and honor. “Freedom is not really free,” she added.

The cards written by the students at Robert Frost will be sent, along with all cards from the New Jersey and Long Island area, to military personnel on active duty overseas, according to Applebee’s. Since its inception, Applebee’s has collected 2.6 million thank you messages and is striving for a goal of 5 million thank you messages this year.