FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Melissa Fields is about to experience the daunting task of being an Army spouse as she prepares to say goodbye to her husband Pfc. Raymond Fields. Pfc. Fields, a communication specialist assigned to the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, is about to deploy for the first time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. However, thanks to a gracious donation, they won’t have to worry about how to keep in touch.

The Fields, along with over 100 other families assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, were given free and newly refurbished desktop computers during a ceremony, Nov. 6, 2008, at the 82nd Airborne Hall of Heroes building. The computers were donated by Operation Homefront, in collaboration with CDW-Government Inc, for paratroopers and their families making it possible for military families to stay connected during this difficult time.

Operation Homefront is an organization that strives to help many families during overseas separations. The donation, mostly to junior enlisted families who otherwise could not afford a computer, will allow service members and their families to stay in touch through webcams and e-mail.

Since its inception in 2001, Operation Homefront has donated nearly 5,000 computers to military families.

“While many Soldiers have e-mail access during overseas deployments their families often lack access to dependable, cost-effective means of communication,” said Amy Palmer, chief operating officer for Operation Homefront. “Without access to a PC, families and loved ones for service members must cope with the slow response of mail or high cost phone calls. However, with the help of CDW-G, that reality has changed.”

For families like the Fields, the new computer will now help minimize the distance and let them stay in touch on a frequent basis.

“It’s a huge load off our shoulders, and it makes me feel good that I will be able to stay in touch often,” said Pfc. Fields. “We are thankful for this [new computer] because they are so expensive and it was hard for us to afford.”

Melissa added that the computer will now allow her to send pictures of their children and that the children will be able to see and speak to their father often.

During the donation ceremony, Col. Timothy McGuire, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, also expressed his gratuity on behalf on his brigade to both organizations involved in the donation of more than $150,000 worth of newly refurbished computers.