Veterans help link active-duty warriors to home

The Veterans of Foreign Wars have found a way to help soldiers overseas.

“We buy phone cards that are given to active-duty persons, and it allows them to phone home for free,” said Bev Essex, VFW volunteer in Alma. “It’s a program sponsored by the National VFW.”

The VFW also bought computers for the soldiers so those overseas can continue their education and communication with their families, said Walt Essex, Vietnam veteran and VFW volunteer in Alma.

“Our motto is: ‘We honor the dead by helping the living,’” he said. “Operation Uplink” originated 10 years ago when troops were sent overseas during the Gulf War,” Walt Essex said.

Cards are taken to units overseas and distributed there, he said. The location raised more than $1,000 last year for the cause.

Phone cards will be purchased from AT&T and Sprint, as well as most of the major phone companies, Bev Essex said.

“Our national commander-in-chief in Bosnia took over $2.5 million in phone cards just last year,” Walt Essex said.

“To be a member of the VFW, you have to have served overseas in a war, and (VFW members) know what it’s like to be in the situation,” Bev Essex said.

Need initiated the annual program, she said. In the past, it only ran until April, but will now continue indefinitely.

“With so many men and women that we are going to be sending overseas, there’s going to be a need for it,” she said.

Walt Essex said volunteers are essential for the organization.

“On our end, there are absolutely no administrative costs whatsoever,” she said. “Ninety percent of work is through volunteers.”

“This year, we started collecting … about Oct. 1, and we’re over $200 right now,” Bev Essex said.

The group has sponsored “donations-accepted” soup lunches and bake sales, with all proceeds going to Operation Uplink, she said.

“We just wish those troops good luck, and keep them in your prayers,” Walt Essex said.

Donations for the national campaign may be sent to any VFW, including the Alma location at 1302 Wright Ave., Alma, Mich. 48801.