U.S. troops stationed overseas recently had the opportunity to call family and friends back home, free-of-charge, thanks to a VFW Operation UplinkTM “Free Call Day,” proudly sponsored by Sport Clips Haircuts.
Troops and hospitalized veterans in Afghanistan and Kuwait could call the U.S for free for a full 24 hours on March 25. Unlike with pre-paid phone cards, troops are free to talk as long as they are able.
Isabelino Vazquez-Rodriguezposted on VFW’s Facebook page, “I am sure the troops will appreciate this opportunity to call free; they earned it and I am proud of the VFW for remembering our wounded soldiers and veterans.”
Stephen Stoops is stationed in Afghanistan and posted, “Thanks, I called a lot of my family.”
Stoops isn’t alone. He’s just one of the thousands who took advantage of the chance to stay in touch with his loved ones at no cost. By the end of the day, hundreds of thousands of free minutes had been used by troops and hospitalized veterans.
Free Call Days are offered at more than 600 MWR Internet cafes using SPAWAR located at various military installations in Afghanistan and Kuwait. The program is the only one of its kind, providing two designated days each month when deployed service members can make phone calls to the U.S. at no cost.
In 2012, Sport Clips is leading the way for this program, sponsoring 17 Free Call Days showing their tremendous support for our military.
Overall the program has provided over 6.3 million connections since it began offering Free Call Days in 2006.
The next Free Call Day is scheduled for Easter, April 8, and is sponsored by the VFW Department of Texas.
To learn more about VFW’s Operation Uplink program and other VFW National Military Services programs, click here .