Veterans Day 2025 - Virtual Tribute to County Veterans
We proudly pay tribute to the Veterans living in our County who have served our country in the U.S. uniformed and armed services. We also solemnly remember and pay tribute to the County’s fallen service members who have died in service to our country on our Fallen Heroes site.
The records show these men and women as enlisting, being originally from, or having at one time lived in Montgomery County, MD. We consider the U.S. Department of Defense home of entry records as the official designation of military residency.
Please click on the tabs below:
Global War On Terror - (September 11, 2001 - Present) - Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) / Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) / Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) / Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS) / Operation New Dawn (OND)
Howard Anderson
Howard Anderson joined the U.S. Army at the age of 17 on the delayed entry program. Directly after high school, he left for basic training/advanced individual training and was assigned to Military Police. During his three years of service as an E-4, he was stationed in two cities in Germany and then in Kentucky. Anderson was raised by a very patriotic family – his father served in the U.S. Navy and then retired from the U.S. Army Reserves while both his brothers and his sister also served in the military. Anderson currently resides in Kensington, Maryland.
Jennifer L. Cooper
Major (Retired) Jennifer L. Cooper hails from a line of U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force service members on the Cooper side of her family. She was commissioned a Nurse Officer in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in 1995 through the USAF R.O.T.C. program at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and retired from the USAF Reserve in 2016. Major Cooper is a veteran of Operation Allied Force during the Kosovo war. She served most of her career in the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Cooper is employed as a Nurse Administrator for Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. She currently resides in Rockville, Maryland.
Norvell V. Coots, M.D., MSS, FAAD
Brigadier General (Ret.) Norvell Coots is a Global War on Terror-era and Iraq-Afghanistan-era Veteran who served in the U.S. Army from 1980 to 2016. He was the Final Commander at Walter Reed Healthcare System and Walter Reed Army Medical Center from 2008 to 2011. From 2012 to 2013 he served as Surgeon General, U.S. Forces Afghanistan and ISAF Joint Command Medical Advisor, and served as the Assistant Surgeon General for Force Protection and Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command from 2013 to 2014. He was also Commanding General, Regional Health Command-Europe, and Command Surgeon U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army from 2014 to 2016. He recently retired from being President and CEO, Holy Cross Health, and President and CEO, Maryland Region, Trinity Health. Brigadier General (Ret.) Coots passed away at the age of 65 on June 12, 2024. He resided in Laytonsville, Maryland with his wife and two children.
Jason Gruver
Jason Gruver served in the U.S. Air Force for 21 years. He joined the military in 1999 to be a morse code operator/signal analyst. In 2006, he cross trained to be an intelligence analyst. He deployed four times to Iraq during the Global War on Terror. Gruver grew up in Littlefield, Texas. He was stationed in Fort Meade, Maryland from 2001 to 2004. He was then stationed in South Korea from 2004 to 2005. After that, he returned to Maryland from 2005 until his retirement in 2020 as a Technical Sergeant. Gruver currently lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland with his wife Carrie, daughter Kayli, and son Chase.
Luke Holian
Luke Holian was commissioned aboard the USS Intrepid in June 1996 after graduation from Alfred University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Pre-9/11 assignments were in Quantico, Virginia at The Basic School; Camp LeJeune, North Carolina with 2d Force Service Support Group; and Garden City as an Inspector Instructor with 2d Battalion 25th Marines, New York. Deployments took him to 29 Palms, California; aboard the USS JFK CVP-67; Norway; Fort Campbell. Post-9/11 deployments took Holian to two 26-Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) deployments to the Middle East and Africa to conduct combat operations in Iraq and a Humanitarian Operation in Liberia. He made another deployment to Iraq. Holian deployed to Afghanistan twice first as the officer in charge of the material readiness team then as the Company Commander of 1st Supply Battalion (FWD). He then commanded the 3d Maintenance Battalion in Okinawa, Japan and deployed the Battalion to Korea and the Philippines for large scale exercises. His final tour of service was as the Deputy Commandant's Branch Chief of Logistics Vision, Strategy and Innovation, HQMC out of the Pentagon. Holian currently resides in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Robert Koffman
Robert Koffman, MD, MPH, is the former Vice Chair for the Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs. To better care for Veterans in his lifelong mission of suicide prevention, Dr. Koffman serves as a PREVENTS Ambassador, volunteering under Executive Order 13861 (The President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide). A passionate advocate for Animal Assisted Therapy for Veterans, Dr. Koffman is also the Senior Medical Advisor for Warrior Canine Connection. A decorated Veteran, he completed a 32-year career as a naval Medical Officer in 2015. Operationally oriented, he has deployed to Desert Storm in (1990/1991); Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003); and Operation Enduring Freedom (2009/2010). A board-certified psychiatrist, he provided behavioral health care services for service members in a multitude of maritime, combat, and peace keeping operations. He is the 2013 recipient of the prestigious USSOCOM Patriot Award for significant and enduring support for USSOCOM’s wounded warriors and their families. He and his wife reside in Silver Spring. View full profile
Cesar Laragaibort
Cesar Laragaibort served for eight years in the U.S. Navy as an E5 – Hospital Corpsman Second Class during the Global War on Terror. Originally from Ecuador, Laragaibort came to the United States. to enlist in the war on antiterrorism. He resided in Bethesda, Maryland while stationed at the Bethesda Naval Hospital (now the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center).
Casey McCabe
Casey McCabe is an Army Veteran turned Park Ranger. While enlisted in the Army, she was the Communications Property Manager with S6 (radios, computers, antennas, etc.). During deployment to Iraq, she installed radios in vehicles and ensured Communications were running properly. The skills she learned while serving in the military helped pave the path for her career with the National Park Service (NPS). Casey began her NPS career, through the Pathways Program, as an Administrative Support Assistant, for Rock Creek Park in 2015. McCabe recently took on the new role of Supply Management Specialist at National Mall and Memorial Parks in D.C. McCabe grew up in Montgomery County, graduating from the Academy of the Holy Cross in 2005 and earning her Associate degree from Montgomery College. View full profile
Trinity R. Nelson
Trinity Nelson served during the Global War of Terrorism era as a Gunnery Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. She enlisted in May 2000 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. She graduated from 4 th Battalion, November Company, Series 4024, Platoon 4025. Her Military Occupational Skill (MOS) was 5831, Corrections Specialist. This MOS entailed in-taking, supervising, and releasing military prisoners from all branches and ranks of every service. Nelson was medically retired from the Marine Corps in February 2015 after 14 ½ years of service. Her husband, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jody R. Nelson (Ret.), passed away in March 2015 from Neuroendocrine Small Cell Carcinoma. Together they have one son, Caleb. Nelson and her son currently live in Damascus, Maryland. Pictured with Nelson is her service dog York, whom she received from Hero Dogs . View full profile
LaMont A. Nowlin
LaMont Nowlin served in the U.S. Navy in OIF and OEF. He graduated from John F. Kennedy High School, Montgomery College, and University of Maryland University College.
William C. Smith, Jr.
William Smith, Jr. is a lieutenant in the United States Navy Reserves and is a Maryland State Senator. In 2019, Senator Smith deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, serving in Kabul, Afghanistan. Senator Smith is a graduate from the College of William and Mary, earned a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and a law degree from William and Mary. Senator Smith was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in November 2014 and was appointed to the Maryland Senate in December 2016. He is a member of the Senate’s Legislative Black Caucus and in December 2019 was appointed chair of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. Currently resides in Silver Spring. View full profile
Kyle Spiegel
Captain Kyle Spiegel has been serving as a member of the Army National Guard since 2011. He served on active duty in support of COVID-19, provided protection to the U.S. Capitol and was deployed to CENTCOM as part of Operation Spartan Shield to Kuwait, Jordan and Qatar. Captain Spiegel currently resides in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Wayne A. Stinchcomb
Wayne Stinchcomb served on Active Duty with the U.S. Army from 1985 to 1988. He later reenlisted in 2003 in the U.S. Army Reserves where he served as a Boat Operator and later an Instructor and progressed to the rank of Staff Sargent. In 2008 he was direct commissioned as 2 LT, Chaplain Candidate in the Army National Guard. As a Chaplain in the Maryland National Guard, he has served in two Aviation units, Joint Forces Headquarters and the 1-158th Calvaryhe has served in two Aviation units, Joint Forces Headquarters and the 1-158th Calvary, 629th Military Intelligence Battalion, 29th Combat Aviation Brigade as the Brigade Chaplain, the 58th Troop Command, the 581st Troop Command. He retired from the Maryland National Guard as a Major in January 2022. Stinchcomb is currently the Veteran Outreach Program Specialist at the Silver Spring Vet Center where he has served for over 7 years. He was born in Montgomery County, Maryland and lived in Germantown, Maryland in the mid-90s where he was employed as a Letter Carrier at the Germantown Post Office. He is married and has one child. View full profile
Anneke Vandenbroek
Dr. Anneke Vandenbroek served in the U.S. Army from 1998 to 2002. She was a recipient of the Army Health Professions Scholarship for her doctorate in psychology and entered active duty in June 1998. She completed her internship at Fort Gordon, Georgia and then served as Division Psychologist for the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. She completed her tour at Tripler Army Medical Center as a Captain. She continued to work as a psychologist serving the military as a civilian employee at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Dr. Vandenbroek has been a member of the Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs since April 2021 and was appointed Vice Chair in April 2024 by County Executive Marc Elrich. She currently resides in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Daniel Lee Viray
Daniel Lee Viray proudly served as an Army Ranger on the F.I.S.T. team with the 75th Ranger Regiment. After graduating from Wheaton High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, he volunteered for military service and joined the U.S. Army in August 2001. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and attended the Fire Support Specialist Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he was selected as the Distinguished Honor Graduate of his Advanced Individual Training class. He continued his military training at Fort Benning, Georgia where he attended the Airborne Course. After earning his jump wings, he subsequently graduated from the Ranger Indoctrination Program in April 2002. Viray was a Fire Support Specialist assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. He is a five-time combat veteran of the Global War on Terrorism, deploying three times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, and two times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (2nd award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Service Bar (2nd award), the Parachutist Badge, the Canadian Parachutist Badge, and the Israeli Defense Force Parachutist Badge. He currently resides in Silver Spring and works for Montgomery County Government as a Financial Compliance Analyst in the Financial Analysis, Audit & Compliance (FAAC) section of the Controller’s Division in the Department of Finance.
Angela Waller
Angela Waller is a Combat Veteran who served 24 years in the U.S. Army Reserve during the Global War on Terror. She served the majority of her career as a Medical Laboratory Technician and Blood Bank Operations Specialist. She was later nominated to serve as an Army Reserve Counselor for U.S. Army Reserve Command. Upon retiring, Waller began practicing yoga, writing poetry, taking pictures, playing golf and volunteering – all instrumental in helping reduce stress and anxiety. She is now a published writer, Holistic Lifestyle Coach, and registered yoga teacher, holding several specialized certifications. An avid volunteer of several organizations, Waller additionally earned the President Barack Obama Volunteer Service Award. She founded a nonprofit organization, created to bring various social events to underrepresented populations, and recently founded a wellness brand specializing in yoga for athletes, beginners and Veterans. In 2017, Waller was appointed as a Maryland Ambassador for the Military Women’s Memorial. During its 2021 inaugural search she was carefully chosen as a Proudly She Served Influencer and achieved Top Ten Finalist in the prestigious Ms. Veteran America (MVA) 2021 competition this past October where she also received the MVA 2021 Selfless Service Award. Waller is humbled and honored to bring awareness to the existence and experiences of women Veterans. She currently resides in Darnestown, Maryland.
Michael Wilson
Michael Wilson completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina and subsequently served as an Infantryman and Scout Sniper with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (1989-1993) in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. From 1994 to 2010, Wilson served in both the North Carolina Army National Guard and Virginia Army National Guard (VANG) as a Military Police Officer, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and Operations Non-Commissioned Officer. During this time, he was deployed to Kosovo in 2004 and deployed in 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he served with the VANG as a Military Police Platoon Sergeant supporting the training mission of Iraqi Police Officers. Wilson retired in 2010 as Sergeant First Class. Wilson has been a member of the
Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs since July 2020 and was appointed Chair in April 2024 by County Executive Marc Elrich. He is also a member of the Gaithersburg-Rockville (MD) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. Wilson is currently a resident of Germantown, Maryland. View full profile
Kevin (Zhao) Zhang
Kevin (Zhao) Zhang enlisted in the U.S. Army as an Airborne Cavalry Scout. After completing basic training at Harmony Church, Fort Benning, Georgia, he was assigned as a Scout Javelin Gunner with 1st Combat Brigade, 82nd Airborne. In 2016, Zhang deployed with the 82nd to Kabul, Afghanistan, as a Team Leader, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance Manager, and Operations Officer in support of Operations Freedom's Sentinel. After his active service separation, he transitioned into the Maryland National Guard (MDNG) Officer Candidate Program and earned his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. He is currently serving as a Military Intelligence Officer with the MDNG. Zhang immigrated from China to Montgomery County with his family in 2003. He graduated from Quince Orchard High School and earned his Criminology and Criminal Justice Degree from the University of Maryland College Park in 2014. He currently works for Aging and Disability Services under the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. He resides with his wife in Germantown, Maryland.
If you would like to share your story or the story of a friend or family member, please either fill out our Google form or fill out the PDF form . Questions can be directed to [email protected] .
For more information please call 240-777-1252 (V) or email [email protected]
