Troops stationed overseas were able to wish their loved ones at home a happy Easter, thanks to a VFW Operation UplinkTM “Free Call Day” (FCD) sponsored by the VFW Department of Texas.
Deployed military personnel took advantage of the event by visiting Internet cafes located throughout Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait to make over 65,000 connections home with family and friends.
The program is the only one of its kind, providing two designated days each month when deployed service members making phone calls to the U.S. and other home base locations are greeted by a recording which states the call will be free, courtesy of Operation Uplink.
With the Easter FCD, VFW surpassed 1 million free connections since September 2010.
VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members, as well as other caring citizens, generously support the program. The program provides an easy way for individuals and organizations to make an immediate difference in the lives of active-duty military personnel.
Service members are incredibly grateful for the program. Jeremiah Giles posted on VFW’s Facebook page, “This is my fourth deployment, and thank you very much for all the FREE phone calls that I’ve had over the years on the holidays!”
Dan Mabey posted, “This is my third deployment, and I am so grateful to be able to call home especially when it is for free. Thank you VFW for all the love and support you show the troops.”
To see more comments and get all of the latest VFW news, visit VFW’s Facebook page.
The next FCD is scheduled for Mother’s Day, May 8, and is sponsored by VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Click here for the full 2011 FCD schedule.