JASON K. MEINERS, CAPT, USMC

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Capt Jason Meiners, USMC '96 was lost on February 3, 2001 when the TAV-8B training plane he was piloting crashed during landing at Cherry Point MCAS, North Carolina.

A native of Avon Lake, Ohio, he "was a 1991 Graduate of Avon Lake High School, where he was president of the Junior Class, Editor-in-Chief of the Yearbook, captain of the Soccer and Basketball teams, member and State Qualifier of the Track Team, and received the Knights of Columbus Athletic Award. In 1998, Captain Meiners was elected to the Avon Lake High School Sports Hall of Fame. Other High School achievements include being elected to Student Council, member of the Varsity Club, National Honor Society, Math-Science Club and Buckeye Boys State."

"In 1996 Captain Meiners graduated with honors from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD where he, as a First Class Midshipman commanded the 3rd Company. After Graduation Captain Meiners was awarded the Marine Corps Burke Scholarship for his outstanding academic achievements. He was commissioned as a second Lieutenant with the United States Marine Corps, May 24, 1996 and reported to The Basic School (TBS), Quantico, VA. After TBS, Captain Meiners reported to NAS Pensacola for Naval Aviation Preflight Indoctrination Training. From there Captain Meiners went to NAS Corpus Christi, TX for Primary Fixed Wing Training. Having received high marks, Captain Meiners was selected for Basic/Advanced Jet training in Meridian, MS. He was winged a Naval Aviator on February 25, 2000 and reported to the "Hawks" of Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 at MCAS Cherry Point, NC in May 2000 for training in the AV-8B Harrier."

His wife, Lisa, was three months pregnant with their daughter. Jason's mother, Carol, said "their little girl is inquisitive and outgoing, just like her father."

Other survivors include his father, brother, and paternal grandparents. He was predeceased by his brother Lane.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JASON_K._MEINERS,_CAPT,_USMC

TERRI S. FUSSNER, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Terri Fussner '96 was lost on March 12, 2002 when the helicopter she was piloting crashed into the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Greece. The other pilot and crewman aboard were also killed; they were members of Helicopter Squadron Light (HSL) 46, which was based in Mayport, Florida, and operating from USS Hayler (DD 997).

Terri was born and raised in the St. Louis suburb of Manchester, Missouri. She graduated in 1992 from Parkway South High School, where she was active in the honor society, starred on the swim team and was a cheerleader. At the Naval Academy she again swam, led cheers and also met her husband, Navy Lt. Garrett Luebker ('96).

Terri was 27 years old; her 28th birthday was the day after her death.

In addition to her husband, she was survived by her parents and at least one sibling.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/TERRI_S._FUSSNER,_LT,_USN

THOMAS A. BUDREJKO, LTCOL, USMC

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LTCOL Thomas Budrejko, USMC '96 was lost on February 22, 2012 when the helicopter he was aboard collided with another during a training exercise near Yuma, Arizona. He was the executive officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 469.

LtCol Budrejko was born on November 22, 1974 in Jacksonville, FL. He was a 1992 graduate of Montville High School, where he wrestled, played football, and ran track. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a degree in Aerospace Engineering in May 1996, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps.

In February 1999 he completed his flight training, designated a Naval Aviator, and was selected as an AH-1W Cobra pilot. When pinned by his father, Budrejko became the third generation of Naval Aviators to wear the same ‘Wings of Gold’ worn by his father, and his great uncle, LCDR Casey Suchcicki, all three raised in Connecticut. In 2009 he attended USMC Command & Staff College where he graduated with distinction and earned a Master’s Degree in Military Studies. He was recognized by the Marine Corps as an accomplished French Linguist.

His combat tours included Kosovo, three deployments to Iraq, and one to Afghanistan. He was scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan again in the spring. Lt. Col Budrejko’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Individual Action Air Medal w/ Combat “V” (gold numeral 2) & Air Medal Strike/Flight (numeral 19), and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 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. Well respected in the Marine Corps for his leadership abilities, as well as tactical and flying proficiencies, his next assignment was to be the Commanding Officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303. LtCol Budrejko’s contributions throughout his 15 years of honorable service have left an indelible mark on Marine Corps Aviation by virtue of the training programs he implemented, the tactics he improved upon, and the profound impact he had on the pilots he instructed and mentored throughout his career.

Tom was truly a family man of strong Christian faith, and his son Andrew was the joy of his life. He was a friend to all, and throughout his years of military service he kept in close contact with friends and family back home in CT. He had a great appreciation for nature, and especially enjoyed hiking and landscaping. He was an avid Philadelphia Eagles and Boston Red Sox fan. Tom was a great patriot, and his love of God and country was apparent to all he met. He had a passion for life, and never wasted one moment.

He was survived by his wife Dianna and 2-year-old son Andrew, his parents CDR Donald and Mary (Ickes) Budrejko, brother Stanley Budrejko, and sisters Jillian Dietz and Catherine Alexander.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/THOMAS_A._BUDREJKO,_LTCOL,_USMC

BRIAN R. HOKE

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Brian Hoke '96 was killed in action with ISIS militants outside Jalalabad, Afghanistan, on October 21, 2016. His friend, Nathaniel Delemarre, was also killed while attempting to come to Brian's aid.

A native of South Dakota, Brian became a SEAL in 1997. He served at SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team Two and SEAL Teams Three and Seven. Brian married Christy in 2008; he adopted her two boys, Sean and Stuart. Brian's daughter, Adelaide, was born in 2015.

Through his humility, sense of humor, talent, dedication and love for others, Brian became a larger than life figure who touched the souls of people from all walks of life. Most recently, Brian devoted himself to helping those from his group who had been wounded or killed, raising thousands of dollars for those who could no longer serve and those left behind.

Brian is survived by his wife, Christy; their three children, Sean, Stuart and Adelaide; his parents, Dan and Virginia; sister, Mary; brother, Dan Jr.; and their families.

Brian loved his family, his friends and his country. He gave his life protecting those he loved. He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/BRIAN_R._HOKE