When 1st Sergeant Charles Delcourt’s daughter was two months old, he was deployed to Iraq. He hasn’t seen her since.

Yvette Gonzalez, a member of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 1018, Dorchester, Massachusetts, was determined to change that.

The VFW Department of Massachusetts through the Military Assistance Program (MAP) provided a web cam at the Post, so families like the Delcourts' could not only hear their children’s voices, but also see their faces.

Delcourt’s wife, Julie, was able to see her husband in "real time." He delighted in seeing his daughter, now 18 months old.

"The webcam rocks!" says Julie Delcourt. "It was so nice to have that moment with my husband overseas and to send him a message of me and our daughter."

Delcourt is amazed at the technology, especially when she remembers what communication was like for her grandparents during WWII.

"I can remember my grandmother’s stories about receiving Christmas letters in July from my grandfather," she recalls.

Delcourt marvels at how much technology has progressed since then.

"A call from a combat zone is unbelievable," she said. "But now I can sit at the computer, and my husband can see and hear me. It’s motivation for him and peace of mind for me."

Gonzalez was proud to help fellow military families.

"My son is in the service and currently serving in Iraq for the second time," says Gonzalez. "I know how great it is to be able to see your family even if it’s through the web cam.

"I remember when Julie and her baby used the web cam. She was so happy to connect with her husband," recalls Gonzalez. "It was a great feeling to see that the VFW could help her in this way."

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