Pic of the Day: Dedham Soldier Runs in Mother's Day Race in Afghanistan

On May 10, Dedham native Capt. Dan O’Connor and more than 750 service members participated in a 10-kilometer Mother’s Day race.

For Capt. O'Connor the race not only helped relieve stress, but it also helped the soldiers feel connected to their families back home.

“Events like these become such a useful tool during deployment,” Capt. O’Connor said. “Study after study shows that physical activity reduces stress, improves moods, takes your mind off of other things, and above all, it promotes this idea of family because you’re out there and everyone next to you, motivating and pushing you, becomes a part of your family.”