USAA to Sponsor VFW`s Operation Uplink "Free Call Day"

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Mon Nov 9, 2009 8:00am EST

Popular Program Helps Military Families Stay Connected on Veterans Day
SAN ANTONIO--(Business Wire)--
U.S. servicemen and women deployed or hospitalized around the world will be able
to call their loved ones back home at no cost this Veterans Day, thanks to
financial service provider USAA`s sponsorship of the Veterans of Foreign War`s
Operation Uplink "Free Call Day." 

Through the USAA sponsorship, members of the military are expected to make
approximately 120,000 calls - totaling some 1 million minutes - from nearly 900
Internet cafes in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as hospitals and morale, welfare
and recreation service centers on bases worldwide. 

"At USAA, we`re in direct contact with thousands of military members every day,
and we hear firsthand the family and household challenges they face. It is our
privilege to support the VFW`s Operation Uplink, which gives them an opportunity
to hear their loved ones` voices, helping ease the burden of separation that
military service often requires," said retired Rear Adm. John Townes, USAA vice
president of military affairs. "As we expand our business to serve many more
military veterans, we look forward to additional opportunities to work with the
VFW to help those who serve our nation as well as those who have served." 

USAA, founded by military officers in 1922, recently expanded its eligibility to
include all honorably discharged veterans - officer and enlisted - from all
branches of the U.S. Armed Services, regardless of years of service. USAA offers
banking, investment, insurance and financial planning products and services to
more than seven million members of the military and their families. 

Operation Uplink, launched by the VFW in 1996, is the premier calling program
for the military, and has contributed more than 105 million minutes of free
calling time to U.S. service members. In addition to contributions from the
public, the program is supported through contributions from members of the VFW,
Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW Posts and many business and corporate sponsors. 

Captain Shawn Bailey, Jalalabad, Afghanistan, FOB Fenty, says of the program, "I
am so grateful for the ability to hear my wife and my 8-month-old over the
phone. Your service is crucially important for the morale of the soldiers. You
are doing your country an immeasurable service by ensuring the communication of
military families!" 

"We are very pleased to join forces with USAA, an association recognized as a
devoted friend and advocate of the military community, to offer a special
Veterans Day Free Call Day," said Dan Shea, VFW Foundation Director. "Calling
home, even for a few brief minutes, is a tremendous morale boost for our
soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen, and helps families stay connected despite
deployments." 

VFW Operation Uplink works exclusively with DRS Technical Services Inc. to
provide the Free Call Day program - the only program of its kind. Corporations
or individuals interested in donating to the program or sponsoring a Free Call
Day are encouraged to contact Linda Ferguson of VFW National Military Services
at 816-968-1102 or lferguson@vfw.org. 

About USAA

USAA, a diversified financial services group of companies, is among the leading
providers of financial planning, insurance, investments, and banking products to
members of the U.S. military and their families. For the past three years,
BusinessWeek magazine ranked USAA among the top two "Customer Service Champs,"
highlighting our legendary commitment of providing highly competitive financial
products for 7.3 million members. For more information about USAA, or to learn
more about membership, visit usaa.com. 

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USAA
Michael Kelly, 210-913-9309
Michael.kelly@usaa.com


Copyright Business Wire 2009

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