UAW, VFW team up to aid military families

The UAW and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) will team up to aid military families, the two organizations announced Dec. 11 in Detroit.

The UAW will donate $15,000 to the VFW to support Operation Uplink, a program that provides free phone cards to members of the U.S. armed forces stationed overseas so they can stay in touch with their families during their terms of military service.

“We’re proud to provide assistance to military families,” said UAW Vice President Cal Rapson, who directs the union’s Veterans Department. “The men and women of the U.S. armed forces make great sacrifices on behalf of our country, and their families sacrifice as well during their absence. It’s good to know that with the help of the VFW, we can provide some assistance to help families stay in touch, especially during this holiday season.”

“We always know we can count on the UAW,” said Sherwood H. Pea, Michigan State Commander of the VFW and UAW Local 651 member. “This donation for Operation UpLink is just another example of how UAW members have been generous in every way possible in their support for military families and veterans.”

In 2006 donations from UAW members across the country helped construct a $400,000 duplex to help house single-parent veteran families at the VFW National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, Mich.

“This union is never going to forget those who are actively serving our country or our veterans,” Rapson said. “We’re going to continue to help in any way we can.”

More information about Operation UpLink, including an application for members of the military services to request a phone card, is available at www.operationuplink.org.