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Remembering Our Veterans

May 23, 2024 | Community

The following is a recreation of a flyer shared by ARM (Associated Risk Managers) created in remembrance of Jeffry Rogers, circa 2006. Portions of the flyer have been updated to ensure accuracy.

Like many young men, Jeff Rogers was moved to join the military by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. “He said he wanted to give something back,” said the late Janet Rogers, Jeffry’s mother. Cpl. Jeffry A. Rogers gave his life for his country on November 16, 2005, when he and four other marines were killed in an ambush in Uhaydi, Iraq.

Janet Rogers learned of her son’s death after returning from a business trip to Kansas. She said she still hasn’t fully processed the news. “All I can tell you is I’m going to miss him tons and tons” she said.

Rogers, 21, was the 35th Oklahoma services member killed in Iraq since the U.S. Invasion in 2003, according to the Defense Department’s records. Rogers joined the Marine Corps in 2002 shortly before graduating from Putnam City North High School. His mother said she did her best to talk him out of it but he insisted on enlisting. Rogers’ desire to join the military crystallized as he watched the horrific toll of the 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington unfold on television. “He said, ‘We have to keep our world safe. We have to protect our people’,” his mother said. Rogers prospered in the Marines, according to his mother, earning an invitation to join the security forces because of his high test scores. Those scores also netted him a $50,000 scholarship.

Jeff was proud to be a Marine and he lived his life reflecting the Marine Corps principles of honor, courage and commitment. He was a strong squad leader and had earned the respect of his unit and the commanding officers. Jeff was a courteous and loving young man who always said and did the little things to make others feels special. Cpl. Rogers’ personal awards include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and The Purple Heart.

Janet and Jim Rogers would like all who read this to remember… Jeff is an AMERICAN HERO, and please continue to pray for and support all of our troops who are fighting to maintain our freedom.
Semper Fi.

Janet Rogers was the Executive Director ARM of Mid America. (Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Colorado, Kansas)

The Family has established the Jeffry Rogers Education Memorial Fund to be used to help both military and non-military youth attend college.

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The Jeffry Rogers Memorial Fund Scholarship

The scholarship was established by family in memory of Jeffry Rogers, with awards benefitting graduating seniors of Putnam City North High School. Since its inception, the memorial fund has awarded $50,000 to 21 PCN High School students.

Award Recipients

Jesse Arnold – 2006
Amanda McBride – 2007
Bradley Brooks – 2008
Santos Gaytan – 2009
Jennifer Roberts – 2010
Stefan Glass – 2011
Amy Wallace – 2012
Cierra Chastain – 2013
Abbigail Milligan – 2014
Dylan Rodolf – 2015
Dylan Shirallie – 2016
Grant Edwards – 2017
Che Wylie – 2018
Megan Allen – 2019
Delaney Fulp – 2021
Emma Spalding – 2022
Alex Vongphakdy – 2022
Piper Bush – 2023
Winnie Du – 2023
Diana Flores – 2024
Dion Mabhoti – 2024

A plaque commemorating Cpl. Jeffry A. Rogers at PCNHS.

By The Numbers

By The Numbers

Students Awarded

Total Awarded in Scholarships

Thank you to all who have served our country. OCCF is proud to support those in uniform.

If you would like to donate to the Jeffry Rogers Education Memorial Fund, please visit our donation portal.

OCCF will be closed in observance of Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 2. We will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Best wishes from all of us to you.

OCCF