Honoring Our Heroes: Showing Appreciation for US Armed Forces & Front Line Workers
At Bob Moore Ford, we deeply appreciate the men and women serving this country daily. These front-line workers and service men and women are the backbone of our country and tirelessly dedicate their lives to protecting and serving their friends, families, and neighbors. As we approach Memorial Day, we want to express gratitude for their service and ongoing dedication by telling their stories and giving you a chance to give back to honor the brave men and women in your lives.
Patriots of the Game
In the ongoing 2022-23 Athletic Season, Bob Moore Ford has had the chance to honor veterans with connections to the University of Oklahoma through our Patriot of the Game Award. This award is a public testimonial to service members and first responders who have made outstanding contributions to their country and community, and we’ve had the chance to honor over 15 Patriots this season. Explore their stories and photos below, and if you’d like to nominate someone for the award, complete our Patriot of the Game Nomination Form.
Honoring Local Heroes
In 2019, Bob Moore Ford had the opportunity to sponsor the Proud to Serve series on KFOR-Oklahoma News 4, honoring local front-line workers like Policemen, Firefighters, Paramedics, and Nurses across Oklahoma. If you want to nominate a front-line worker, visit KFOR-Oklahoma’s Proud to Serve website.
Upcoming Events
Bob Moore Ford is also proud to sponsor the upcoming Tinker Air Show. Returning after four years, the award-winning air show will have the US Navy’s legendary Blue Angels, dozens of military and civilian aerial performers, and various ground displays. Bob Moore Ford will provide ground transportation for the pilots, the Blue Angels, and other aircraft. Get Tinker Air Show updates by following the Tinker Air Force Base social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
When: July – 1st – 2nd, 2023
Where: Tinker Air Force Base
Free admission
Our Ongoing Dedication
At Bob Moore Ford, we believe in the importance of supporting those who serve our country and communities, and we continuously look for ways to express our appreciation in our everyday lives. Whether through our sponsorship initiatives or our everyday interactions with customers and those in the community, our respect and gratitude for our service members and front-line workers remain at the forefront of our mission.
US Army Major
Christopher Guthrie
Bob Moore Ford pays tribute to Major Christopher Guthrie, a U.S. Army veteran, in its Patriot of the Game recognition. Major Guthrie has been serving in the military since 2002, starting as a Fire Support Specialist and later being commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer in 2012. He has served overseas tours in Korea and Iraq, held two Battery Commands, and has been awarded numerous medals, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Order of Saint Barbara, and more. A lifetime Sooner fan, Major Guthrie has a Master’s in Administrative Leadership from the University of Oklahoma and currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Military Science and Professor of Military History and Heritage for the University of Oklahoma Army ROTC. On court to celebrate Major Guthrie’s recognition are Ben Hayes, General Manager of Bob Moore Ford, and Major Guthrie’s wife Jennifer and daughter CJ.
U.S. Army Specialist 4
Glen E Blood
Bob Moore Ford salutes U.S. Army Specialist 4 Glen E Blood as its Patriot of the Game. Specialist Blood served in active duty from 1966 to 1968, with a direct deployment to Vietnam for one tour. He was assigned to sweep villages for Viet Cong and received the Silver Star for bravery in action in the Republic of Vietnam, saving many soldiers from C Company. Despite sustaining severe injuries himself, Specialist Blood also received the Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Clusters, and Vietnam Service Medal among other accolades. On court to celebrate Specialist Blood’s recognition are Sooner Sports Properties’ Jared Brown, Specialist Blood’s wife Linda and children Dora, James, and Grant, and Ben Hayes, General Manager of Bob Moore Ford.
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant
Michael L “Mike” Jones
On Wednesday, February 1st, we honored U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Michael L “Mike” Jones as the Bob Moore Ford Patriot of the Game. Chief Jones enlisted in the Air Force in May 1997 and specialized in Health Care Management and Operations. He has been deployed across the U.S., Germany, Korea, Japan, and Afghanistan. During his time in Afghanistan, Chief Jones served as the Aeromedical Operations Team Chief and First Sergeant for over 600 Airmen, including Special Operations and Joint Special Operations operators. He concluded his career as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 71st Medical Group at Vance AFB. Among Chief Jones’ many awards are the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Joint Service Commendation Medal. Sooners Sports Properties Jared Brown, Bob Moore Ford General Manager Ben Hayes, his wife Michelle, and his daughter Maliah will join Chief Jones on the court. Congratulations to the Bob Moore Ford Patriot of the Game, Chief Master Sergeant Mike Jones.
U.S. Army Sergeant First Class
Jeff McMillan
Bob Moore Ford would like to recognize Retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Jeff McMillan, who served on active duty for 27 years starting in 1983. After retiring, Sergeant McMillan earned his undergraduate degree from West Virginia and his Masters at the University of Oklahoma. His illustrious career began at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, where he became part of the 82nd Airborne and was credited with 326 jumps. Sergeant McMillan possesses a diverse skill set, including Field Artillery, Infantry, Logistics, and Combat Engineer. He has served in various United States locations and deployed to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. During his career, Sergeant McMillan has received numerous awards, including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Four Army Achievement Medals, Five National Defense Service Awards, and the Global War on Terrorism Expedition Medal, among others. Congratulation to the Bob Moore Ford Patriot of the Game, Retired US Army Sergeant First Class, Jeff McMillan.
US Air Force Staff Sergeant & Moore Police Department Lieutenant
Derek Dean
Bob Moore Ford would like to honor U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Derek Dean. Staff Sergeant Dean enter the military as a firefighter and would serve a total of 6 years being deployed to Iraq and the United Arab Emirates. While in the Air Force Sergeant Dean received the Air Force Achievement Medal and the Command Chief Coin from the Command Chief of the U.S. Central Command. Upon his honorable discharge in 2008 Sergeant Dean joined the Moore Police Department Serving as a Sniper on the SWAT Team. Having served 14 years with the Moore Police Department and being promoted to Lieutenant, Lieutenant Dean now serves as and entry Team Leader for the Moore SWAT. Lieutenant Dean along with members of Moore SWAT and Norman SWAT provide security services at OU Football games where his duties include Overwatch/Sniper. Joining Lieutenant Dean on the court today are Bob Moore Ford General Manager Ben Hayes, Wife Kasey, Son Kade, Daughter Parker, and Mother and Father-in-Law Della and Greg Hillerman.
US Navy Retired Senior Chief Petty Officer
Daniel Rohrer
Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniel Rohrer, an Oklahoma City native, enlisted in the Navy in April 1989. After basic training and Storekeeper School, he earned his Associate Degree in Administrative and Management Studies from Excelsior College. Over his career, he held various roles and acquired numerous qualifications, including Enlisted Expeditionary Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, and Master Training Specialist. Rohrer’s career spanned from his initial sea tour aboard USS Normandy (CG-60) in 1989 to his retirement in 2009 after serving as Assistant Officer in Charge and Senior Enlisted Leader at Detachment Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 3 (VQ-3). Throughout his service, Rohrer participated in various exercises and operations, such as Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. Rohrer’s personal awards include three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals. Additionally, he has received numerous unit and campaign awards, including three Southwest Asia Service Medals, six Good Conduct Medals, and two National Defense Service Medals. Join us in honoring Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniel Rohrer as the Bob Moore Ford Patriot of the Game.
U.S. Army Staff Sergeant
Steven Young
Native of Enid, Oklahoma, Staff Sergeant Young joined the Army following the 9/11 attacks. His service included joining the first K9 combat tracker team since Vietnam, responsible for detecting IEDs and saving countless lives. Deployed to Kuwait in 2003 and Afghanistan in 2009, Staff Sergeant Young served as a member of the Quick Reaction Force. His accolades include the Combat Action Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, among others. Staff Sergeant Young’s wife Nicole and sons Gunner and Barrett joined him in receiving The Bob Moore Ford Patriot of the Game.
US Air Force Retired Colonel
Mark Fuhrmann
Bob Moore Ford is proud to recognize retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Mark Fuhrmann for his distinguished service. Commissioned in 1994, Colonel Fuhrmann commanded the 62nd Operations Group at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, overseeing the combat readiness of three C-17A Globemaster airlift squadrons, including the only one qualified for nuclear-related cargo. Colonel Fuhrmann’s deployments span the globe, including Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, and his commendations include the Bronze Star Medal and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. Colonel Fuhrmann’s wife, Angela, and daughters, Kirsten and Holly, joined in accepting his award at an OU Womens Gymnastics Event.
US Army Retired Sergeant
Morgan Llaverias
Bob Moore Ford would like to honor United States Army Retired Sergeant Morgan Llaverias. Sergeant Llaverias joined the Army in 2016 and served as a Veterinarian Food Inspection Specialist before transitioning to Operations in the 52nd Brigade Engineer Battalion. During her time in service Sergeant Llaverias became Airborne Qualified and was deployed to South Korea amongst many other locations in the United States. Sergeant Llaverias was eventually medically retired in 2022 due to injuries received while on Active Duty. Sergeant Llaverias has received the National Defense Service Medal, The Korea Defense Service Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Service Medal amongst many others. Sergeant Llaverias accepted the Patriot of the Game Award at an OU women’s Softball game alongside her Mother, Donna.
US Air Force Retired Lieutenant Colonel
Jeremy Gilbertson
US Air Force Retired Major
Roger Camp
US Air Force Colonel
Justin Boldenow
US Air Force Master Sergeant
Bryant Reinert
- Military Start Date: 08/2009
- Military End Date: N/A. Still serving
- Notable Accomplishments: B-1B Lancer crew chief. 28 maintenance group NCO of the Year. 28 maintenance group crew chief of the year. Air Force life cycle management center LT Gen Leo Marquez SNCO of the year, Meritorious service medal. Air Force commendation medal. Air Force achievement medal. Air and Space campaign medal.
- Notable Deployments: Multiple deployments in support of Operation New Dawn, Operation Odyssey Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel
- Awards: 28 maintenance group NCO of the Year. 28 maintenance group crew chief of the year. Air Force life cycle management center LT Gen Leo Marquez SNCO of the year, Meritorious service medal. Air Force commendation medal. Air Force achievement medal. Air and Space campaign medal.
US Army Corporal
David Long
- Military Start Date: 07/2004
- Military End Date: 06/2010
- Notable Accomplishments: Unit was a part for the capture of Sadam Hussein, rotated insurgents that killed troop in and out of local prisons. Helped build schools.
- Notable Deployments: Two combat tours Baghdad, Iraq – 2005 and 2007
- Awards: Several accommodation awards, distinguished soldier, honorary service, good conduct
- Born and raised in Norman. First OU alumni in his family. Dedicated to introducing others to OU programs and helping OU grads get hired in the aerospace community.
US Air Force Chief Master Sergeant
Jeremy Clark
US Air Force Tech Sergeant
Tracy Driggers
- Military Start Date: October 25, 1995
- Military End Date: October 19, 2007
- Notable Accomplishments: Served 12 years
- Notable Deployments: Desert Storm
- Airmen leadership award and distinguished graduate
- After military life worked for Cabbiness Engineering and then BP Gulf of Mexico. She now works as an engineer with AFCEC at Tinker AFB
US Army Retired Green Beret Colonel
Ryan Lehman
- Colonel Lehman hails from Lawton and was commissioned in 1995 and thereafter completed Army Special Forces Assessment and Selection at the John F Kennedy Special Warfare School. Colonel Lehman served a distinguished career in the Special Forces commanding every echelon from Platoon to Brigade/Group during his combat deployments in the Middle East supporting operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. In total Colonel Lehman served 13 combat deployments throughout the Middle East earning the Legion the Merit, The Bronze Star with 4 oak Leaf Clusters, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Lead Clusters.