Community Corner

Gift Memorializes Victims of Marine Helicopter Crash

Luminosity Digital Graphics of Murrieta donated canvas prints to the families of the victims of the Feb. 22 Marine helicopter crash.

A Murrieta couple gifted a lasting memory to the families of the victims of the

Lee and Carol Stout of Murrieta-based transferred photos of the six deceased Camp Pendleton-based Marines to 28 X 20 fine art canvas prints. The canvases will be on display during a memorial service today at Camp Pendleton.

"We strongly believe that in life it’s not what you get, but what you give that matters," Carol said.

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"Our military men and women offer their lives for ours. It is a great honor for us to be able to donate these canvas prints for such a huge sacrifice."

When the couple heard of the tragedy and then read the news that one of the victims, 33-year-old near Murrieta, they said they instantly knew this was a way they could reach out to the families.

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Then it was learned that another of the six who died that day—Maj. Thomas Budrejko, 37—was a resident of Temecula. Both Marines were married with small children.

But the Stouts were unsure of who to contact so they could follow through with their idea.

As it would turn out, their daughter attends church in Oceanside and mentioned her parents' wish to a Camp Pendleton Marine's wife who was helping put together the memorial service.

She was able to assist getting photos from the families, Carol said.

"It has been a blessing to be able to bless them with something they can hang on their walls and keep forever," Carol said, noting the print quality will last at least 50 years.

"These will be an heirloom that can be passed on through the families."

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