Posted on 05/04/2006 4:15:47 PM PDT by SandRat
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Army News Service, May 4, 2006) – This Mothers’ Day, deployed troops at select locations in Iraq will be able to call home free, courtesy of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. For 24 hours May 14, the VFW will foot the bill for all voice over IP (VoIP) phone calls from 191 phone and Internet cafes throughout Iraq.
The connection time, according to Operation Uplink manager Linda Ferguson, will allow servicemembers in isolated locations throughout Iraq to connect to U.S. phone numbers via Internet telephony service.
Ferguson said the VFW-sponsored Free Call Day is an extension of the Operation Uplink phone card program, which, since 1996, has provided millions of free phone minutes to deployed servicemembers and hospitalized veterans.
“There are some locations overseas where phone cards do not work,” she said. “Sponsoring Free Call events, like this one on Mother’s Day, for the military-operated Internet telephony service allows us to fill that gap and extend free calling time to any servicemember virtually anywhere U.S. forces deploy.”
Ferguson said phone calls and connecting with those back home is key in maintaining and boosting troop morale. While the satellite phone system used at Morale, Recreation and Welfare Cafes offers Soldiers the ability to call family and friends in the U.S. at discounted rates, Operation Uplink is focused on giving Soldiers a break and providing the service free for a day.
“It is the least we can do,” Ferguson added, “considering all the sacrifices they are rendering on behalf of the American people. This Free Call Day is for them and is the VFW’s way of saying ‘thank you’. The VFW hopes to provide additional Free Call days throughout the year to continue to “Connect those who SERVE…With those who CARE”.
The VFW assists all veterans and their families in obtaining veterans' entitlements and other services. In addition, the organization works for the well being of those serving on active duty, in the National Guard and the Reserves.
Annually, the VFW contributes more than 14 million volunteer hours and more than $50 million toward community-service projects. The VFW was founded in 1899. There are 2.4 million members of the VFW and its auxiliaries located in approximately 9,000 posts worldwide.
Troops Call Home RING!!!!!
BTTT
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