Four Grand Prize Winners Named in Jeep(R) Heroes Nomination Program
10 Novembre 2005 - 12:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
* Winners selected from more than 2,500 entries for demonstrating
"exemplary, unique & heroic service" * Grand prize winning Jeep
Heroes receive new 2006 Jeep Commander or Jeep Grand Cherokee
Laredo AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- What
do a California helicopter pilot, a New Mexico firefighter, a
Wisconsin emergency medical technician and a Texas U.S. Army
Commander Sergeant Major share in common? They are the four Grand
Prize Winners -- one in each of four categories -- to be recognized
in a nationwide Jeep Heroes program which was established by the
Jeep(R) brand to honor military, police, fire and emergency medical
services (EMS) personnel who deliver exemplary, unique and heroic
service to improve the quality of life in cities and towns across
America. The Jeep brand's goal was to recognize the important
service these individuals perform every day and to reward the Grand
Prize Winners -- the Best people to represent America's Best --
with a rugged, dependable Jeep vehicle that will give them the same
sense of security and reliability they give Americans. More than
2,500 nominations were submitted by friends, colleagues and loved
ones over the last 10 months and narrowed down to 12 finalists. An
Advisory Committee -- made up of military, police, fire and EMS
association representatives, uniformed services advocates and
former public officials -- reviewed the nominations and selected
the 12 finalists, including four Grand Prize Winners. The Grand
Prize Winning Jeep Heroes, who won their choice of an all-new 2006
Jeep Commander or 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, are: * Military
- Vera Harris from Denton, Texas, was nominated by her daughter,
Nitia. Harris recently returned from 15 months of service in Iraq
for the U.S. Army as a Commander Sergeant Major, where she was
responsible for the training, health and welfare of soldiers. *
Police - J.C. Dodd from Applegate, Calif., is a California Highway
Patrol (CHP) search and rescue helicopter pilot. He was nominated
by his wife, Jacqueline Dodd. On behalf of Dodd, Jeep will donate
his prize to a charity of his choice as state and CHP policies
prevent him from accepting the vehicle. * Fire - Bud Brinkerhoff
from Placitas, N.M., is a firefighter who spends time teaching fire
safety to kids, in addition to responding to more than 50 percent
of the 400+ calls per year. He was nominated by his colleague and
friend in the Placitas Fire Department, Drew Owen. * EMS - Cindy
Gibson of Star Prairie, Wis., is a volunteer first responder and
emergency medical technician for more than 20 years. Her son, Rick
Larson, nominated her, calling her "Mrs. Volunteer." "There is a
natural affinity between those who serve others and the Jeep brand.
Both have a long record of accomplishment in times of need," said
Jeff Bell, Vice President, Jeep. "It is an honor for us to
recognize Vera Harris, J.C. Dodd, Bud Brinkerhoff and Cindy Gibson
for being amazing, dedicated and authentic American Heroes."
Entries in the Jeep Heroes Nomination Program were accepted from
January through October 2005. In order to nominate a person for the
Jeep Hero award, nominators submitted an essay of 200 words or less
on why a nominee deserved to be honored as a Jeep Hero. Those who
nominated the four Grand Prize Winners will receive $500 toward new
Jeep brand merchandise (Jacqueline Dodd, wife of Jeep Hero J.C.
Dodd, donated her prize to charity.) For information on all twelve
Jeep Heroes finalists and Grand Prize Winners, visit
http://www.jeep.com/Heroes DATASOURCE: Chrysler Group CONTACT:
Carrie McElwee, +1-248-512-2664, , Eileen Wunderlich,
+1-248-512-0332, , both of Chrysler Group; or Lauren Vidovich of
Clear!Blue, +1-312-464-1984 ext. 250, Web site:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/ http://www.jeep.com/Heroes
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