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Sweet photo captures brothers' visit to dad's grave at Arlington National Cemetery

Brothers Mason and Mylan Brazel visited their father's tombstone in a touching scene at Arlington National Cemetery for the first time since his death in July.
/ Source: TODAY

As brothers Mason and Mylan Brazel visited their father's tombstone at Arlington National Cemetery for the first time, the young boys felt like they were just having a normal conversation with dad.

Kait Brazel, 29, captured the touching scene as sons Mason, 8, and Mylan, 5, curled up in front of the tombstone of Army Staff Sgt. Alfred "Fred" Brazel, who died at 37 of Stage 4 rectal cancer on July 31 after being diagnosed only five months earlier.

Brothers Mylan and Mason Brazel visited the grave of their father, Staff Sgt. Alfred Brazel, in a touching scene at Arlington National Cemetery for the first time since his death from cancer at 37 in July.
Brothers Mylan and Mason Brazel visited the grave of their father, Staff Sgt. Alfred Brazel, in a touching scene at Arlington National Cemetery for the first time since his death from cancer at 37 in July. Kait Brazel

"I felt proud while we were there," Brazel told TODAY in an email. "Obviously it was sad because the boys are talking to their dad and he can't talk back, but really I'm proud because throughout the fight our goal was to be realistic with the boys without the losing their innocence as children.

"Seeing them share their lives with their dad's headstone, I knew we accomplished exactly that."

The boys updated their on everything in their lives, from winning swimming trophies to earning a new belt in a martial arts class, their mom said.
The boys updated their on everything in their lives, from winning swimming trophies to earning a new belt in a martial arts class, their mom said. Kait Brazel

The boys went to every doctor's appointment with their dad during his fight with cancer, and their parents answered every hard question they asked about his diagnosis, Kait Brazel said.

"We never once addressed it as a sad thing,'' Brazel said. "That was the attitude and mentality we had throughout the battle. We as a family lived and continue to live life to the fullest in every moment.

"We don't shelter them from 'adult things.' It was their dad and they were a part of the fight. We have always been very open with them, and because of this I believe they have handled the whole journey amazingly."

The family mourned Fred's death in a heart-breaking scene at his funeral in August.
The family mourned Fred's death in a heart-breaking scene at his funeral in August. Alishia Potter

The family drove 24 hours from their home in Colorado Springs, Colo., to Arlington National Cemetery on Nov. 20 for the touching visit.

It was an emotional journey that came three months after Fred Brazel's funeral, a heart-wrenching day that was captured by professional photographer and family friend Alishia Potter in August.

At one point during the visit at Arlington, Mylan curled up and took a nap in front of the tombstone, while Mason updated his dad about winning a trophy in swimming.

Mylan curled up for a nap while Mason prayed and spoke to his father at one point during the visit.
Mylan curled up for a nap while Mason prayed and spoke to his father at one point during the visit. Kait Brazel

Kait is also hoping the pictures bring attention to the dangers to soldiers from burn pits. She believes Fred got cancer from exposure to toxic chemicals during a deployment in Iraq.

After their trip to Arlington, the Brazels spent Thanksgiving with family in Boston and then went to Niagara Falls, a place Fred always wanted to visit with the boys.

Brothers visit dad's grave at Arlington
Fred died 5 1/2 months after being diagnosed with Stage 4 rectal cancer in February. The Potter's Hand Photography

They are grateful for being able to share some time with Fred ahead of their first holiday season without him. Shortly before they left, Mylan gave the tombstone a hug.

"It shows the boys just how lucky they are,'' Brazel said.

Brothers visit dad's grave at Arlington
Mylan gave his dad a hug before the family left Arlington National Cemetery. Kait Brazel

"Most families who have service members buried at Arlington live so far and without means, they don't get to visit.The fact they were able to visit their dad's grave is a blessing."

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