Town grieves 'great kid' who died in Afghanistan

People in the town of Raymore, Sask., are mourning the loss of a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan. Cpl. David Braun, 27, died Tuesday in a suicide bombing.

The news stunned the town of 620 residents, about an hour's drive north of Regina.

"Words don't adequately express the sense of loss we feel," said family friend Jim Braman. "He was just a great kid."

Braman said he has known Braun since the young man was five years old and he andBraman's son were attending kindergarten together. Even then, Braman said, Braun talked about growing up to be a soldier.

Family and friends spoke of his generosity, his sense of humour and his devotion to duty.

He visited with family and friends in Raymore last month before he left. He also paid a visit to the local school and told students about his experiences in the military. Braun felt strongly about going to Afghanistan.

"When he talked to them, they knew that he liked what he was doing, that he thought he was making a difference in the world, that it was something he believed in," school teacher Eva Dionne said.

Braun had served with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry stationed in Shilo, Man. A funeral will be held in the town next week.