Red, White & You: Honoring Maryland’s Military Heroes

Maryland has a storied tradition of military service, with countless individuals dedicating their lives to protecting our nation. While words can't fully capture the immense gratitude we feel for our servicemen and women, Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to highlight a few remarkable veterans and active-duty military members from our state. Read about their stories below, and if you know a military hero who deserves recognition, we’d love to hear from you! Simply answer a few questions, and we’ll take care of the rest.

1. Rick Krause

Rick Krause began his service in the U.S. Army as a Military Police officer, laying the foundation for a lifelong commitment to public safety and community service. After his military career, he continued to serve in the National Guard before joining the Bel Air Police Department in 2004. Known for his leadership and mentorship, Krause has guided youth through the department’s Explorer Post and police summer camp, while also protecting beachgoers each summer as a longtime Ocean City lifeguard. In 2024, his dedication earned national recognition when he was named a grand prize winner in National Life Group’s Do Good Heroes program — an honor that reflects his military roots and the lasting impact of a life spent serving others. Read more here.

2. Carolynn Baker

Carolynn Baker’s life has been shaped by military service — not just her own, but generations before and after her. A Vietnam-era veteran who joined the Women’s Army Corps right out of high school, Baker has spent decades advocating for veterans who, like her, returned home to a divided nation. In 2014, she made history as the first woman elected Commander of the American Legion Department of Maryland, where she represented more than 60,000 members. Her leadership reflects a lifelong commitment to honor those who served, especially Vietnam veterans who were once rejected by the very institutions meant to support them. Baker’s message is clear: “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.” Read more here.

3. Sgt. 1st Class Brian Burke

Odenton native Sgt. 1st Class Brian Burke (Ret.) dedicated 20 years to the U.S. Army, serving with distinction in missions across Saudi Arabia, Thailand, South Korea and Africa. A highly skilled trainer, Burke played a key role in preparing Guard and Reserve units for deployment, especially in the years following 9/11 when his unit — the 78th Division (TS) — oversaw emergency operations and mobilized soldiers for active duty. In 2025, Burke was selected as a recipient of the Help on the Homefront award, a national initiative recognizing veterans with essential housing needs and honoring their service to the country. Read more here.

4. Waverly B. Woodson Jr. (1922-2005)

Eighty years after storming the beaches of Normandy, U.S. Army medic and Gaithersburg residentWaverly Woodson Jr. was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary bravery on D-Day. Despite being wounded by enemy fire upon landing, Woodson treated more than 200 fellow servicemembers while under fire, performing heroic acts as part of an all-Black unit during World War II. Woodson's actions went unrecognized for decades due to racial discrimination within the military, but the honor was finally accepted by his widow in 2024. The medal was also placed in the sand at Omaha Beach during the 80th anniversary of the invasion — a powerful tribute to a soldier who saved lives even while risking his own. Read more here.

5. Vivian Elzie Taylor (1914-1979)

Vivian Elzie Taylor was one of 19 Maryland women who served in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, a groundbreaking World War II unit made up entirely of Black women. Deployed to Europe, the battalion worked under segregated conditions to process mail for American troops — an often overlooked but vital wartime mission. After the war, Taylor married in Paris and later returned to Maryland, where she taught art — as the school’s first art teacher — at the all-Black Salisbury High School during the era of school segregation. Her story, once known only through family memories, is now being recognized publicly through national honors and the recent release of "The Six Triple Eight," a film that has reignited awareness of this remarkable unit’s service. Read more here.

Do you know a veteran or active military member who deserves recognition? We’d love to hear their story! Click here to nominate them for a chance to be featured on Patch!