Calmer days in Iraq and parts of Afghanistan mean the charity started in the name of a fallen Wilton soldier can take its game beyond giving Iraqi kids soccer balls and actually help equip them for league play.

Kick for Nick got started shortly after its namesake, Pfc. Nick Madaras, was killed in Iraq. The aim was to fulfill Nick’s dream of giving soccer balls to the Iraqi kids he had seen playing in the streets with tin cans. Now the troops who distribute the soccer balls want additional equipment too.

"I just sent 30 pairs of cleats to someone in Iraq Monday," said ...

A Fairfield County soldier was killed Monday in Afghanstan, the Department of Defense has announced.

Pfc. David R. Fahey Jr., 23, of Norwalk, died Monday in Kandahar province of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

Fahey was born in Norwalk, where he lived until he enlisted.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has ordered the Connecticut and U.S. flags to fly at half staff in honor of Fahey.

"Our deepest ...