The Thirty-Eight Twelve Memorial Foundation Friends Of Thirty-Eight Twelve
There are certain people and companies that have went above and beyond in their support of our mission to keep Jason's memory alive. We feel that they deserve special mention.
Bruce Hooley and 1460 The Fan
I had been talking to Bruce for about a year when Jason was killed. I sent an email to some friends and family and included Bruce in the blind carbon copy. He was the first to respond, and has become a very good friend of mine personally. Bruce, and his coworkers at 1460 WBNS AM in Columbus, Ohio, have gone above and beyond in their support. Bruce helped to arrange several items that were given away in our raffle at the memorial walk, including a book that he had written and an Ohio State footbal autographed by Chris Spielman. Bruce is a genuinely caring person who ardently supports our troops and has made it a point to mention Jason on his show a couple of times.
Words cannot express our gratitude to Bruce and the Fan.
Ricochet
Ricochet is an acclaimed country music band that has produced some of the most recognized songs in the genre in recent memory. Formed in 1996, they still tour extensively. In August, 2008, they played the Doddridge County Fair near West Union, West Virginia. When they learned of Jason's heroism and sacrifice in combat, they went out of their way to show appreciation and gratitude. They spent quite a bit of time with Debbie, Savannah, and Richard, and made Savannah feel like she was their special guest. Savannah was amazed that they dedicated a song "Just for Daddy."
Heath, Troy, Kenny, Dwayne, and Greg--thank you so much for all you do for our troops now, and what you have done to honor Jason for us.
The Ohio State University
Shelley Poe, the Sports Information Director at The Ohio State University, is one of the kindest individuals I have ever met. Bruce Hooley suggested that I get in touch with her, and when I did, she was very quick to respond. Though Jason was born and raised in West Virginia, OSU went above and beyond by giving us numerous Ohio State items and an autographed copy of the Don Nehlen book "My Life On The West Virginia Sidelines." This was especially ironic, given that West Virginia University, located a scant 45 minutes away from Jason's final resting place, refused (and rather rudely) to contribute themselves.
Thank you so much Shelley for giving to us.
Terry and Bobby Bowden
When WVU declined to help us, a friend of my father's suggested that we contact Terry Bowden, who had played at WVU and was previously under consideration for the head coaching vacancy. I am glad that we did--Kimberly Schiff, Coach Bowden's publicist, coordinated several autographed items from Terry, and then went even further and contacted the legendary Bobby Bowden on our behalf. Bobby personalized a photo just for our family that read "To Jason, your mission is complete, YOU ARE A CHAMP! (sg) Bobby Bowden."
The Bowdens are beloved people in our neck of the woods in Doddridge County. Thank you so much! You both are a credit to your respective universities...