Winchester Soldier To Run in Boston Marathon

Sgt. Ray Regan of Winchester will run the Boston Marathon route to raise awareness of Question 32E on the Mass. State Tax Form.

In the next six weeks, viewers can follow Ray's progress and find out what keeps him motivated to cover the 26.2 mile course in a series of YouTube videos on Military Friends Foundation channel http://bit.ly/yCL3wa.  

Regan, who has served for the past five years, will discuss his training for the race along with the programs that Military Friends Foundation provides for military families across Massachusetts.

The organization seeks to highlight to the needs of local military families during the 2012 tax season.  

The "Take 5, Give $5" Campaign centers on Question 32E-Massachusetts Military Family Relief Fund on the Massachusetts State Income Tax Form, where people can make a voluntary contribution of $5 or more when filing their annual taxes.  

Born in Bogota, Colombia, Regan grew up in Winchester. He was All State in track and field and cross-country in 1992-1993. He graduated with a degree in political science from University of Massachusetts, Lowell in 1998. Regan originally enlisted in the military in 2003 as a Special Forces trainee. He was selected to be part of an Army pilot language program with Pentagon oversight at Fort Huachucha, AZ, in July 2008.

He served in a year-long deployment to Afghanistan, returning in July 2011. He was recently selected to Special Operations School for Civil Affairs.  

"My goal is to raise awareness for the issues that military families face before, during and after deployment," said Regan. "I'll be showing the training that leads up to the Marathon and all the differences that this organization makes, as well as how easily taxpayers can support this worthy cause through even a small donation."  

"We are proud of Sgt. Regan's service and the fact that he continues to give back to his fellow soldiers through his Boston Marathon experience," said Sarah Keller-Likins, Executive Director of the Military Friends Foundation.   Military Friends Foundation is the only non-profit directly charged by the State to care for all citizen soldiers and families of the Fallen. It has provided more than half a million dollars in grants to local military families in more than 300 cities and towns in Massachusetts. To learn more, please visit www.militaryfriends.org/takefive.