STONINGTON, Conn. — On Saturday, April 5, the boiler at the residence of Robert A. Slater, a master sergeant serving in Kuwait with the 1109th Army National Guard, leaked and flooded his home’s basement. The following Monday, Slater's wife, Frances, got estimates for a replacement and e-mailed them to her husband.
The long-distance arrangements were completed when Frances Slater hired W.J. Woycik Plumbing & Heating of Mystic, Conn. Walter Woycik noted that it could cost up to $5,000, but he would not charge for labor.