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Snowe announces new phone service options for u.s. troops serving abroad WASHINGTON, D.C. – In her unwavering support of U.S. military personnel serving abroad, U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) today was pleased to announce the new "Help Our Troops Call Home" program, authorized in conjuncture with the Department of Defense. Under the program, individuals will be able to purchase a prepaid calling card for U.S. troops serving overseas in Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom. The new AT&T calling cards provide a phone service rate without connection fees of $0.35 a minute for U.S. troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to call their family and friends in the United States. This program now allows any individual, including those who were previously unauthorized, to purchase a prepaid calling card and anonymously donate it to American servicemen and women. "With deployments extended and increased strains placed on our troops, a phone call to a loved one can help our servicemen and women get through these difficult times. I applaud the Defense Department and AT&T for recognizing the immeasurable value of providing discounted phone cards - allowing those who selflessly risk their lives to remain connected," Snowe said. Information on the "Help Our Troops Call Home" program is available at the websites of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) (www.aafes.com) and the Marine Corps Community Services (www.usme-mccs.org) The calling cards will be managed by AAFES and the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM). Previously, many phone calls made by the troops on phone calls could cost over $1 a minute and included many hidden fees including expensive connection fees. |