**For Immediate Release**
OPSU Offers Operation Freedom Call
-released by OPSU Campus Communications 09-06-06
by Laura Dahl
Goodwell, Okla. — Oklahoma Panhandle State University,
AT&T Pioneers and Panhandle Share-Ed Video Network
(PSVN) are working together to provide military personnel
stationed in Iraq and their families an opportunity to
visit via video conferencing. The free service provides
deployed soldiers and their families a private, live, face-to-face
20 minute video call through the use of the Freedom Call
Foundation (FCF) satellite links.
“Operation Freedom Call” is
available through all of the sites in the area that use
PSVN. The deployed person must have access to one of
the three bases served by FCF video equipment including
Camp Fallujah, Camp Taji, and Al Asad. In addition, some
links have been made to Camp Liberty.
Suzanne Fletcher serves as the Operation Freedom Call
Area Coordinator, and those who wish to set up a video
call may contact her at 806-794-2100 or via email at gf6825@att.com.
In addition to OPSU, other video locations available in
the area include the public schools in Balko, Beaver, Boise
City, Elmore, Felt, Forgan, Guymon, Hardesty, Keyes, Texhoma,
Turpin, Yarbrough, and Stratford, Texas.
Chase Griffin, PSVN Director and
2004 OPSU graduate, said, “I
know the value of connecting with family members while
deployed overseas. I served in Kuwait during Desert Storm,
and the 2-5 minute phone calls we were allowed boosted
morale considerably. I can imagine the positive effect
of a 20-minute video conference with loved ones.” PSVN
utilizes state-of-the-art videoconferencing to provide
high school and college courses in the locations listed
above through the use of Interactive Television (ITV) equipment.
The member public school systems and OPSU also provide
other educational opportunities, such as graduate degree
programs and Red Cross disaster training.
The AT&T Pioneers, a group of
retired and active employees, volunteer their time to
address educational, social and environmental needs in
their communities. For more information about the group,
visit their website at http://www.attpioneers.org.
Please help OPSU spread the word about this unique opportunity
for military personnel and their families to communicate.
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