Freedom Remembered

Born: November 22, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida
Died: February 22, 2024 in Yuma, Arizona

Maj. Thomas A Budrejko, 37, of Montville, Conn., AH-1W Cobra pilot and Executive Officer of HMLA-469. Major Budrejko is a Connecticut native and 1992 Montville High School graduate. Budrejko, 37, a 1996 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, was an AH-1W Cobra attack helicopter pilot who has flown in three tours in Iraq and was preparing for his second deployment to Afghanistan. He was serving as the executive officer of the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 and lived in Temecula, Calif., with his wife and son. Maj Budrejko was one of seven Marines killed in a helicopter crash near Yuma, Ariz. His personal awards include Air Medal Individual Action with Combat „V‟ (gold numeral 2), Air Medal Strike/Flight (numeral 9), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat „V‟ (fourth award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Sacred Heart Cemetery in New Britain, Connecticut

To be updated…

Staff Sgt. Ari R. Cullers, 28, of New London, Conn., died Oct. 30, in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when an insurgent rocket-propelled grenade exploded near him. He was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. Ari is a graduate of Waterford High School. He joined the Army in October 2004. After training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, he was assigned to Camp Kyle, Korea and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Cullers arrived at Fort Drum in December 2008. He deployed to Afghanistan from December 2008 to December 2009 and deployed with his unit in March 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, four Army Achievement Medals, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, two Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, three Afghanistan Campaign Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, three Overseas Service Ribbons, the NATO Medal, the Certificate of Achievement, the Combat Action Badge, and the Driver and Mechanic Badge. He completed the Field Sanitation Team Certificate, Combat Life Savers Course, Sling Load Inspector Certificate, and the Warrior Leadership Course. He was the posthumous recipient of the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and his second Army Commendation Medal.

St. Mary Cemetery

To be updated…

Born: March 14, 2024 in Danbury, Connecticut
Died: August 27 2011 in Connecticut

Cpl Matthew A. Tooker of Naugatuck, Connecticut was born a son of Anne Connor Tooker and was educated in the local school system. He was a 2005 graduate of Emmett O’Brien Regional Technical School. Following graduation he was employed by Gar-Kenyon Technologies of Naugatuck, until he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2007. He had served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and was wounded in action. He served with the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division as a Scout Sniper, with the rank of Corporal. He was awarded the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Medal (Afghanistan) the Navy and Marine Corps. Achievement Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2nd Award) the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Navy Unit Commendation. He was released from active duty this past August. He was a member of the Royal Order of the Purple Heart. Matt passed away due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was 25. Besides his mother of Naugatuck, he leaves 3 sisters, Abigail M. Tooker of Naugatuck, Melissa A. Tooker of Darien, and Amanda M. Tooker of Vernon.

Arlington National Cemetery

The above is from his obituary

To be updated…

Born: August 23, 2024 in Stamford, Connecticut
Died: August 6, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Brian R. Bill, 31, of Stamford, Conn., died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. He enlisted in the United States Navy in July, 2001. After graduating Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois in September, 2001, he reported to Naval Aviation Technical Training Command in Pensacola, Florida and graduated in November, 2001. He then reported to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training at Coronado, California. After graduating from BUD/S in November, 2002, he reported to Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Command at Coronado, California and departed in June, 2003. He then reported to his East Coast based SEAL Team in June of 2003. His awards include, the Bronze Star with Combat “V” device for valor, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Combat “V” device for valor, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy Marine Corp Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Rifle Expert Medal, and Pistol Expert Medal.

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9930

To be updated…

Born: October 16, 2024
Died: June 14, 2024 in Farah, Afghanistan

Pfc. Eric D. Soufrine of Woodbridge, Conn., died at age 20 in Farah province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo. Eric is a 2009 graduate of Amity Regional High School. May of the following year, he enlisted in the United States Army and was deployed to Afghanistan on December 10th, 2010. Among his awards is the National Defense service Medal and the NATO Service Medal. He leaves his parents, Michael J. Soufrine and Donna Johnson Soufrine, a brother, Joshua, a sister, Army Spc Rebecca Soufrine, his girlfriend, Paige Woodward and his dog, Emma.

Burial is at Mishkan Israel Cemetery in New Haven, Connecticut

To be updated…

Born: July 8, 2024
Died: May 31, 2024 in Logar, Afghanistan

Spc. Richard C. Emmons III of North Granby, Connecticut joined the Army in September 2009. After training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and Fort Gordon, Georgia, he arrived at Fort Polk, Louisiana in May 2010. He deployed with his unit in October 2010 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His awards and decorations include, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge. He died at age 22 in Logar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with a rocket propelled grenade.
Army
2nd Battalion
30th Infantry Regiment
4th Brigade Combat Team
10th Mountain Division
Fort Polk, Louisiana

Burial is at Lawnside Cemetery in Woodstown, New Jersey

To be updated…

Born: January 16, 2024
Died: April 27, 2024 at Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan

Maj. Raymond G. Estelle II of New Haven, Conn., died at age 40 at the Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from gunfire. He was assigned to Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. Raymond served 20 years in the Air Force and was nearing his retirement. He worked as a cyberspace operations officer. He leaves his wife, Major N’Keiba J. Estelle, a newborn son, Raymond III, a daughter, Shayla, his mother, Regina Estelle, and a sister, Nyiesha Estelle.

Burial is at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida - Sec 321 Site 162

To be updated…

Born: March 30, 2024
Died: March 29, 2024 in Konar, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Frank E. Adamski III of Moosup, Connecticut entered the Army in March of 2005 arriving at Fort Campbell in April of 2009. He was an Infantryman, assigned to Charlie Company. His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal; Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge and Combat Infantryman Badge. He died at age 26 of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire in Konar province, Afghanistan.
Army
2nd Battalion
327th Infantry Regiment
1st Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia - Sec 60 Site 9612

To be updated…

Born: July 25, 2024
Died: March 12, 2024 in Wardak, Afghanistan

Sgt. 1st Class Dae Han Park, 36, of Watertown, Conn. died March 12, in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. He is a graduate of Watertown High School in Watertown and enlisted in the United States Army in February of 1998, as an Infantryman. Upon completion of basic training and advanced individual training, Park was assigned to Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. In 2000, he earned the coveted Ranger Tab and participated in the Best Ranger Competition in 2002. In March 2003 he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, as a Rifle Squad Leader. Upon his return from Iraq, Park was assigned as an observer/controller at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana. In 2005, Park volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course and completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2006. Park was then assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st SFG (A) Joint Base Lewis-McChord as a Special Forces communications sergeant with Operational Detachment Alpha 1333. During his time with 3rd Battalionn, he completed numerous worldwide missions to include: Bangladesh, Operation Iraqi Freedom VI, Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines, Cambodia, and India. He was currently serving his first rotation to Afghanistan. His military education includes the U.S. Army Airborne School, Warrior Leader Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Advanced Leader Course, Ranger School, Air Assault School, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Course, Jumpmaster Course, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course and Special Forces Qualification Course. His awards and decorations include, the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (1 OLC), the Army Good Conduct Medal (4th award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd award) Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd award), Army Service Ribbon, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Parachutist’s Badge, and the Air Assault Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. He leaves his wife, Mi Kyong Park, his daughters Niya and Sadie, his parents Joseph and Bonnie Schneider, and his sister and brother, Katie and Saejin.

Burial is at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington - Sec 25 Site 208

To be updated…

Born: December 13, 2024
Died: February 28, 2024 in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Pfc. David R. Fahey Jr of Norwalk, Connecticut enlisted in the United States Army on August 31, 2024 at Springfield, Massachusetts and reported to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri on Sept. 6, 2007 for training. He served for 12 months in Korea before reporting to Lewis-McChord. David deployed to Afghanistan in June of 2010. His awards include, the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Drivers and Mechanics Badge. He died at age 23 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.
Army
504th Military Police Battalion
42nd Military Police Brigade
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

Burial is at Rose Hill Memorial Park in Putnam Valley, New York

To be updated…