FORT BLISS, Texas--Family members of deployed servicemembers participated in made holiday greeting cards for their loved ones, courtesy of Hallmark, at the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade's family readiness headquarters.

Hallmark provided cards, ornaments, food and door prizes for the family members. The family members were able to record their voice and leave a message of up to 10 seconds on the card.

"Knowing that so many people are separated from their loved ones, we wanted to bring a little bit of holiday cheer to servicemembers and their families and establish a connection between them," said Deidre Mize, a Hallmark representative. "I think the gift of hearing your child's voice brings a little piece of home to our military who are deployed, and that is something we really wanted to do."

The children were very enthusiastic about making the cards for their deployed parents. They drew pictures of everything from Christmas trees with presents to dozens of hearts.

"I get to tell my daddy I love him, and Merry Christmas, and I hope he's having fun in the desert," said Jordan Vitela, whose father is deployed to Southwest Asia.

Hallmark also provided ornaments to the family members and took pictures of the family members so they could put the pictures inside the ornaments and record their voices on them as well.

Brig. Gen. Robert Woods, commanding general of 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, thanked Hallmark for coming out and supporting the deployed troops.

"I really believe that mail call is the most important part of the day for a deployed Soldier, and any Soldier who has ever been deployed knows the feeling of being handed a card or letter from home," said Woods. "The new cards from Hallmark are extra special because they are sound-recorded, and now the Soldiers will hear the voices of their loved ones back home."