Friends running marathon for Oakdale Marine

Montville — Former high school classmates, family members and friends will participate in the 37th Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 28 in Washington, D.C. to honor the memory of Thomas “Bull” Budrejko.

The 37-year-old Marine and former Oakdale resident died in February in a helicopter training accident in Arizona. Budrejko was a 1992 graduate of Montville High School and later attended the United State Naval Academy before becoming an AH-1W Cobra pilot.

More than 50 people have agreed to be a part of “Team Bull Budrejko” and run either the marathon or 10K race in Washington. Team members are accepting donations that will go to the Semper Fi fund, a non-profit that raises money for injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.

As of Wednesday, the team had raised $11,800 of its $20,000. To make a donation, visit: www.active.com/donate/semperfifundmcm2012/SLaBran.