VZ: Verizon Business to Offer Free Calling During Holiday Season to U.S. Troops in Iraq

In an ongoing effort to help military families and loved ones stay connected around the world, Verizon Business today announced it will again provide free phone calls during this holiday season for U.S. Armed Forces personnel stationed in Iraq.

Verizon Business will provide the calls from Nov. 22 through 28 and from Dec. 22 through Jan. 2. This is the fourth consecutive year that the company is offering free holiday calls for military personnel in Iraq.

"For our troops stationed far away from home, hearing the sound of a loved-one's voice can go a long way to lift the spirits during the holidays,'' said Jerry Edgerton, group president for Verizon Federal, the sales organization within Verizon Business dedicated to serving federal government customers. "Verizon Business has made it a tradition to help the troops stay connected during the holiday season as a gesture of appreciation for the sacrifices they make daily."

As a leading communications provider to the federal government, Verizon Business has deployed to Iraq a state-of-the-art mobile communications facility outfitted with phones to allow military personnel to make calls. Verizon Business throughout the year makes technology, resources and employee support available to military personnel and their families around the world.

Verizon Business also is supporting the USO of Metropolitan Washington on Dec. 17 at Fort Belvoir, Va., by hosting a Verizon Business Phone Home for the Holidays program in conjunction with the USO's holiday event. Verizon Business will deploy one of its mobile emergency communications vehicles to allow troops and their families to make free local, long-distance and international calls as well as send e-mails.