Michael McDowell and Love’s Ford Pays Tribute to Fallen Army Officer

As a highly decorated officer, including a Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and a Purple Heart, United States Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan R. Farmer served this country with honor.

Joining the U.S. Army March 30, 2005, Farmer attended One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and ultimately graduated as a Special Forces Engineer Sergeant in 2007 when he was assigned 5^th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

Farmer served on six overseas tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and lastly Syria where he was killed in an attack on Jan. 16, 2019.

Front Row Motorsports, Michael McDowell and Love’s are humbled to continue our partnership with Special Forces Charitable Trust to pay tribute to this Green Beret on the No. 34 Love’s Ford beginning the Memorial Day weekend race May 26.

Farmer’s name is proudly displayed on the racecar along with the Special Forces Charitable Trust paint scheme to support U.S. Army Special Forces and their families.

“On Memorial Day and every day, we recognize the sacrifices made by the brave men and women of our military,” said McDowell. “We are proud to have Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan Farmer’s name on my car. It is because of his selflessness that we are able to do what we do each and every day.”

Love’s employee to join Farmer’s family at race

At Love’s, we’re proud to employ veterans from each branch of the military. Duwane Connally, a Love’s tire care manager and Navy veteran, will join Farmer’s family, Special Forces Charitable Trust and Front Row at the May 26 race in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Connally joined the U.S Navy and served for 8 years as an engineman on ships like the USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS George Washington. He enjoyed how the Navy allowed him to travel the world, and the leadership skills he learned in the Navy helped propel him to the career he has today.

Connally said the holiday is a sacred reminder for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“Memorial Day is about remembering fallen soldiers and sailors,” Connally said. “Seeing the military establishments with flags at half-mast makes me feel for the fallen service members' families, too. It didn’t hit me until after my service how your family serves with you, too.”

A deep connection with Special Forces Charitable Trust

Love’s and Front Row’s connection with Special Forces Charitable Trust even moves off the track. If you find yourself in Fayetteville, North Carolina, visit Charlie Mike’s. A watering hole where Special Forces soldiers and veterans gather to commemorate fallen Green Berets. Among the portraits and memorabilia, you can find the racecar hood of a previous Love’s Special Forces Charitable Trust Ford.

This Charlie Mike’s Facebook post shows the memorial toast to Farmer from earlier this year.

https://www.facebook.com/charliemikespub/videos/2282115072033337/

This Memorial Day, we not only remember the sacrifice Farmer made for this great nation, but each service member who has paid the ultimate price for our freedom.