Lance Cpl. David McConnell has been serving in Iraq since the beginning of the year. But with the help of a nonprofit organization, Freedom Calls, he was able to celebrate his birthday with his family two weeks early.

At 9 a.m. Thursday, Eileen and Tom McConnell had one hour to talk to their son in Penn State Altoona's video conference room. And the call came at no cost to the parents or the university.

"He said for an hour, he's able to forget where he was at and that meant a lot to him," said Tom McConnell.

University officials said it's the third time they've used their equipment and facilities for families to talk to loved ones serving overseas.

McConnell and his parents agreed, it was the best gift they could give and receive.

"I can't imagine anything better than this, except having him back. That's the only thing that beats it at this point," said Eileen McConnell.