In an initiative aimed at boosting the morale of troops posted overseas, Verizon (News - Alert), InComm Retailers and the USO have joined forces to launch a program that will allow fellow Americans showcase their gratitude to the armed forces, to coincide with the 4th of July holiday.

Beginning June 22 and up to July 4, Verizon has pledged that it will match up by 100 percent any consumer spend for the Verizon Prepaid Long Distance Phone Cards at participating neighborhood retailers. These minutes will be donated to American troops who are currently posted overseas so that they can keep in touch with their loved ones, in a 100-minute prepaid calling card format. The cards will be made available to them through the USO, with a special emphasis on troops posted in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Southwest Asia, along with embattled soldiers on their way home. Verizon estimates it will donate 1 million minutes to the initiative.

InComm (News - Alert) retailers who are part of the initiative include Casey’s General Stores, Holiday Station Stores, Jackson Food Stores, Kum and GO, Oasis Stop N Go and Twin Stops. It is the industry pioneer in marketing, distributing and evolving innovative technologies for stored-value gift and prepaid products using its advanced point-of-sale transaction technology and payment solutions to radically change the manner in which retail product sales and customer experiences are conducted.

USO President and CEO, Sloan Gibson commented, “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. With this support, the USO will continue to make a difference in the lives of our service men and women.

Verizon constantly comes out with campaigns that enable the accessibility of technology and resources to the armed forces and their loved ones globally, in keeping with their corporate social responsibility as the premier communications solutions provider to the central government.

The USO (United Service Organization) works to boost the morals of American armed forces and their families. It is a non-profit, altruistic organization, funded by donations from the American public mainly, and conducts several programs and campaigns throughout the year to serve the American troops. Its various corporate sponsors include AT&T, BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton, Clear Channel (News - Alert) Communications, the Coca Cola Company, Gallery Furniture and TriWest Healthcare Alliance.