Catholic Transcript Online

Former Marine Sgt. Kevin Braziel kisses his daughter, Jasmine, a first-grader at St. Francis of Assisi School in Naugatuck, during a program at the school Jan. 7. Mr. Braziel thanked the 160 students for collecting five boxes of goods that were sent to his unit in Afghanistan in November. He presented Thomas Fuller, principal, with a flag that was flown at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. A letter from Ambassador Karl Eikenberry accompanied the flag. Mr. Braziel told the students, "We received those boxes and we came running out like a bunch of kids – grown men, like it was Christmas morning." The afternoon program was led by fifth-grade teacher Brian Lally and included the recitation of the rosary for the special intention of all U.S. military troops in service.(Photo by Jack Sheedy)