Verizon Continues Support of U.S. Military Members Through Renewal of USO-Metro Sponsorship

ARLINGTON and ASHBURN, Va., Nov. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon and the USO of Metropolitan Washington will continue to collaborate to support members of the U.S. military and their families through a renewal of Verizon's sponsorship to support USO lounges in four Washington, D.C.-area airports: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport and Joint Base Andrews.  This initiative is funded by the Verizon Foundation.

As part of its ongoing commitment to the U.S. military, this year Verizon is launching a new program – Operation Healthy Traveler – to promote healthy food options and positive mental health for traveling members of the military.  The program educates service members and their families about reducing stress and eating healthy meals and snacks while traveling, and offers them nutritious food options. 

"Our airport lounges serve as a home-away-from-home for members of our military community, and programs such as the Verizon-sponsored Operation Healthy Traveler help us provide healthy options that have a direct impact on their traveling experience," said Elaine Rogers, president and chief executive officer, USO of Metropolitan Washington.  "Thousands of military members and their families have benefitted from the use of USO airport lounges thanks to Verizon's generosity, and we're extremely grateful for their continued support."

According to a 2011 USO-TARP Worldwide survey of 7,000 active duty military and family members, the availability of refreshments was identified as one of the primary reasons to visit a USO center.  The survey also indicated that healthy food options are one of the greatest opportunities for the USO to meet the needs of U.S. troops.

"Verizon and the USO of Metropolitan Washington share a strong commitment to supporting members of the U.S. military and their families," said Susan Zeleniak, senior vice president – public sector markets, Verizon Enterprise Solutions.  "Our collaboration with the USO of Metropolitan Washington benefits service members every day, and the addition of Operation Healthy Traveler is yet another way Verizon can express its appreciation by serving those who serve our country."

Verizon has been a USO-Metro supporter since 2006 and was recently named to the USO-Metro Circle of Stars for the second consecutive year.

Verizon is a leading provider of advanced IT and communications services to governments around the world.  Visit the Verizon Public Sector website for more information.

About USO of Metropolitan Washington
USO-Metro is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization chartered by Congress, and dedicated to "Serving those who serve, and their families" in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia.  It is through the generous financial support of individuals and organizations in the local community that USO-Metro is able to fulfill its mission. With the help of nearly 5,000 devoted volunteers, USO-Metro provides programs and services for active duty troops and their families at area military hospitals; through its Mobile USO program; at five USO Centers, four USO airport lounges and through Operation USO Care Package. For more information please visit www.usometro.org or "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter by searching USO-Metro.

About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with nearly 96 million retail customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500.  A Dow 30 company with $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of 184,500.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

About the Verizon Foundation
The Verizon Foundation is focused on accelerating social change by using the company's innovative technology to help solve pressing problems in education, health care and energy management.  Since 2000, the Verizon Foundation has invested more than half a billion dollars to improve the communities where Verizon employees work and live.  Verizon's employees are generous with their donations and their time, having logged more than 6.2 million hours of service to make a positive difference in their communities. For more information, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

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SOURCE Verizon