Verizon Wireless

New York, NY – June 16, 2009 –

Verizon, InComm Retailers and the USO are launching an initiative to let Americans demonstrate their appreciation for armed forces personnel serving America worldwide, just in time for the July 4 holiday.

From June 22 to July 4, consumer purchases of Verizon Prepaid Long Distance Phone Cards at participating local retailers will be matched by Verizon, on a minute-for-minute basis, and donated to active duty personnel for international and domestic long-distance calling in the form of 100-minute prepaid calling cards.  The cards will be distributed by the USO to U.S. military men and women worldwide, with an emphasis on serving deployed troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout Southwest Asia, as well as to wounded soldiers who are returning home.

Verizon will donate a minimum of 1 million minutes to the program.

“The prepaid calling cards continue to be a very useful way to keep our troops connected to their families, and we are excited to once again partner with Verizon and thank InComm retailers for providing their assistance,” said Sloan Gibson, USO president and CEO. “With this support, the USO will continue to make a difference in the lives of our service men and women.”

David Skogen, manager of Verizon’s Prepaid Business Unit, said: “We are honored once again to create a win-win-win program for everyone involved, particularly the heroic men and women serving our country.  By purchasing prepaid calling cards, consumers generate matching minutes for military men and women worldwide, which our friends at the USO deliver.  These matching minutes enable our troops to stay in close touch with their friends and families and share news and developments with them, which is a critically important, morale-building benefit.”

Participating InComm retailers include:

• Casey’s General Stores
• Holiday Station Stores
• Jackson Food Stores
• Kum and Go
• Oasis Stop N Go LLC
• Twin Stops

As a leading communications provider to the federal government, Verizon throughout the year makes technology and resources available to military personnel and their families around the world.

About the USO
The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families.  The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services.  The USO is supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners AT&T Inc., BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Gallery Furniture, S & K Sales Co. and TriWest Healthcare Alliance.  Other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381), have joined millions of individual donors to support the USO.  For more information, please visit our Web site at www.uso.org.

About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving more than 86 million customers nationwide.  Verizon’s Wireline operations provide converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation’s most advanced fiber-optic network.  Wireline also includes Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 237,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

About InComm
InComm is the industry leading marketer, distributor and technology innovator of stored-value gift and prepaid products using its state-of-the-art point-of-sale transaction technology and payment solutions to revolutionize retail product sales and customer experiences. With nearly $8 billion in retail sales transactions processed in 2007, InComm is the nation’s largest provider of gift cards, prepaid wireless products, reloadable debit cards, digital music downloads, content, games, software and bill payment solutions. InComm partners with consumer brand leaders around the world to provide more than 145,000 retail locations the products and services their customers demand. Since 1992, InComm’s patented technologies have made the buying process easier for consumers while streamlining the selling process for product and retail partners. To learn more about InComm, visit www.incomm.com or call 1.800.352.3084. InComm is headquartered in Atlanta with offices in Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, Puerto Rico, Colorado, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Oregon, Arkansas, Alabama, Minnesota and Mississippi.  For more information, visit www.incomm.com.

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Media Contact:
Bob Elek, Verizon, 813-483-2541
Stefanie Scott, Verizon, 512-495-6730
Travis Burgin, The USO, 703-740-4982
Jenn Boutwell, InComm, 770-882-2240

The 2008 Military Appreciation Monday dinner will be held on Monday, November 17, 2008 from 5 pm to 9 pm in all Golden Corral Restaurants.

The free “thank you” dinner is available to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited to participate in Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Monday dinner.

To date, Golden Corral restaurants have provided over 1.8 million free meals and contributed over $2.53 million to the Disabled American Veterans organization.

Applebee’s offers free meals to military

Active-duty members, retirees and veterans can get a free meal at a limited number of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants on Veterans Day, with proof of military service.

The 164 participating restaurants in 12 states are testing this promotion, which will offer one of the following entrees: House Sirloin, Riblet Basket, Fiesta Lime Chicken, Quesadilla Burger or Oriental Chicken Salad. Traditional side dishes are included.

“It’s an honor to host an event that helps the neighborhood come together and say thanks to our veterans and active servicemen and women,” said Mike Archer, president of Applebee’s Services, Inc., in a statement announcing the offer.

Troops and veterans must show proof of military service. This can include:

• Military ID card.

• Military retired ID card.

• DD 214 discharge certificate.

• A Leave and Earnings Statement.

• Citation or commendation.

• Photograph in uniform.

• Card from a veterans’ service organization.

Applebee Restaurants  honoring Vets:

Great Lakes personnel, both military and civilian, who are residents of Illinois, are encouraged to vote in their community’s local elections on Nov. 4. But individuals must first meet registration requirements.

“All politics is truly local and voting in local elections is the best way to exert your influence on issues that affect out Navy families,” said Capt. David Schnell, commanding officer, Naval Station Great Lakes.

“School board elections are particularly important because of their role in the quality of our children’s education,” the captain noted. “I urge everyone, especially military spouses, to vote in local elections.”

According to the Illinois Board of Elections Web site “An individual may register to vote in Illinois if he/she is 18 years or older on the next election day, resides in the jurisdiction for 30 days prior to the election and is a U.S. citizen.” There is a grace period registration
offered from the close of voter registration until the 14th day before an election. During this period, if voters who register or change address during this time wish to vote, they must do so during the grace period, voting at the county clerk’s office.

For further information, contact the Lake County Clerk’s office at (847) 377-2410. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces or merchant marine, or those discharged within 60 days of a election, who return to Illinois too late to register for the upcoming election are still entitled to vote in person in the election by affidavit. Registration is not required.

Military family members who work locally have to file an Illinois tax return, and they often become Illinois residents on that basis, said Cmdr. Paul Kapfler, executive officer, Region Legal Service Office, Midwest. Drivers license and car registration are other indicators, he added. Military members have to take an affirmative step to declare themselves Illinois residents at least 30 days after their arrival by changing their LES.

We went from Condition “ALPHA” to Condition “Delta” in a matter of 30 minutes..

The world changed for good after this….

What were you doing?? Leave a comment below..

Da-Chief

I wouldn’t ask this unless I needed your help.  Not for Corpsman.com but for a medical mission in Africa.

My wife who is a RN, will be going to Africa, January 2nd 2009 for 2 weeks to volunteer her time for health care in Nigera, Africa.

To do this, we need to raise $2,000.00 for her trip and supplies.  She will be affiliated with a Not-for-Profit Medical org that has done this for 5 years.  Karen is a ICU trained RN and she will also be training other Student Nurses.

We are asking for donations for this mission.  If you are interested, please contact me @ admin1@corpsman.com.  I will provide you with a receipt for the donation.  If you wish to donate on Paypal you can do so as well, and I can provide the receipt to you as well.

Below is a video from last years trip.

Thanks!
D/C