Red, White & You: Honoring Texas's Military Heroes

Texas 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. Gen. Richard E. Cavazos (1929-2017)

A native Texan and Korean War hero, Gen. Richard E. Cavazos was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2024 for his extraordinary bravery as a company commander in 1953. Cavazos repeatedly risked his life to rescue wounded soldiers during a mission in enemy territory, personally evacuating several men under heavy fire before allowing treatment for his injuries. He was the first Hispanic four-star general in the U.S. Army and a trailblazer throughout his career, later honored with the renaming of Fort Hood to Fort Cavazos. A Texas Tech alumnus and son of a WWI veteran, Cavazos passed away in 2017 at age 88, leaving behind a legacy of courage, leadership and service. Read more here.

2. Stephanie Gomez

Victoria's own Stephanie Gomez served eight years as a Hospital Corpsman, completing two deployments aboard the USNS Mercy and the USS Bonhomme Richard. A natural caregiver with prior experience in nursing homes, she provided critical medical support to thousands of service members and participated in humanitarian missions abroad. Gomez, who joined the Navy in 2007 to build a better future for her children, continues to be proud of her active-duty service and hopes to inspire others — including her daughter — to follow in her footsteps. Read more here.

3. Ram Chavez

A Mobile native now based in Texas, Ram Chavez served as a combat medic with the 199th Infantry Brigade during the Vietnam War, where he saw action during the deadly Tet Offensive. Chavez delayed his return home to stay with his unit, ultimately saving a fellow soldier under fire, an act that earned him the Silver Star 40 years later. Also wounded in combat, he was awarded a Purple Heart. After the war, Chavez channeled his experiences into music, founding the Corpus Christi Veterans Band, which honors fallen service members through patriotic performances. He continues to use music as a source of healing and tribute for the veteran community. Read more here.

4. Marcelino Serna (1896-1992)

A Mexican immigrant and longtime El Paso resident, Marcelino Serna was one of Texas' most decorated World War I veterans. Despite being a private, Serna captured 24 enemy soldiers singlehandedly and received honors from France, Italy and the U.S. — but was denied the Medal of Honor due to racism and language barriers. In 2024, a bipartisan Texas legislative committee voted unanimously to posthumously award Serna the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor. Advocates continue to push for national recognition, saying his heroism was long overlooked. Read more here.

5. Cpt. Cornelius Blackshear

A Houston native and Army veteran, Cornelius Blackshear was named Disabled Veteran of the Year by the Disabled American Veterans Department of Texas in June 2023. He serves as a Transition Patient Advocate at the Houston VA, helping post-9/11 veterans and active-duty service members shift into VA care. A former Army engineer and Iraq War veteran, Blackshear is deeply involved in outreach efforts tied to the PACT Act and veteran enrollment, often partnering with local organizations to meet veterans where they are. He’s also an active member of the American Legion, DAV and VFW, continuing to advocate for his fellow veterans both on and off the clock. 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!