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David Stephens is a life member of the VFW and through the years has donated to VFW Operation Uplink™.
Stephens is also a staff and operations officer for the Commander 7th Fleet Det. 111 of the United States Naval Reserve stationed at Camp Victory in Iraq. Now on active duty, he is receiving assistance from the very programs he has long supported.
“It’s a very odd feeling. I can’t really describe it,” said Stephens. “You think of these programs benefiting 18- and 19-year-olds away from home for the first time.
“Then with a single phone call and mobilization orders, you’re in the pipeline to a war zone, and suddenly, being handed a VFW phone card from the chaplain.”
Stephens took full advantage of the phone time, which helped reduce the financial woes for his family back home. He used his card to talk to his wife and kids.
“I wanted them to know I had arrived in Kuwait safely. Plus, the kids were at summer camps, and I wanted to hear the adventure stories.”
The conversations are often simple, but Stephens wouldn’t trade them for the world. He believes they help him “keep connected to regular life.”
“It truly breaks the feeling of isolation and distance from home. I feel like I’m still involved in some small way with what is happening there,” he explained.
Each phone call reminds Stephens why he is a member of VFW.
“The fact VFW members want service members to feel important gives me great pride in this organization.
“I feel a deep appreciation for the individuals who greet the planes, who shake hands at stores and who take stands against the protestors demonstrating against the troops and not the politicians.”
When Stephens returns home, he plans to become more active in his own VFW Post. But first, there is something he has been waiting to do for a long time.
“I want to hug my family again.” | 
