Frostburg First, with support from the City of Frostburg, Stevens Electrical, and Frostburg Serves, is pleased to announce the 5th year of the Frostburg Honors Banner Project. Loved ones have the opportunity to honor the community’s service members in the United States Armed Forces, past and present, and First Responders by displaying banners in the Frostburg Main Street District. All banners will be displayed in the Frostburg Main Street District starting Memorial Day and will be removed after Veterans’ Day 2026.
Ben Barry, Specialist – 5
US Army, 1968-1971: Vietnam War
Banner sponsored by wife of Ben Barry
Approximate Location: Frostburg Fiber Depot
Jack Barry
US Navy, 1959-1964
Stationed in Guantanamo Bay
Banner sponsored by brother Ben Barry
Approximate Location: Frostburg Fiber Depot
Paul E. Barry, Technician – 5
US Army, 1943-1945: WWII
Recipient of: 4 Combat Stars; Meritorious Unit Award; EAME Ribbon; Good Conduct Medal
Banner sponsored by son Ben Barry
Approximate Location: Verizon
Paul Biggs, E-3 Seaman
US Navy, 1963-1967
Recipient of: Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal
1st Black Commander of the Frostburg Farraday Post #24 Legion
Banner sponsored by wife Susan Biggs
Approximate Location: Wholesome Harvest Co-op
Harold Raymond “Dick” Blank, Staff Sergeant
US Army, 1943 – 1946
WWII, Central Burma, New Guinea. Quartermaster in Horse Trainer Calvary
Good Conduct Medal, Theater Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, WWII Victory Ribbon, Asiatic Ribbon
Staff Sergeant Blank was a quartermaster in the remount squad in the horse trainer calvary, and it was the last calvary.
Banner sponsored by daughter, Connie Sullivan
Approximate Location: Frostburg Co:Lab
Arthur T. Bond
US
Banner sponsored by Tom Bond
Approximate Location: Mechanic St Parking Lot – Across from City Place
Delmar “Del” Bond, Sergeant
US Army, 1961 – 1967
Vietnam War; Headquarters & Service Company, 5th Training Regiment, USATCA, Ft. Knox, KY
Banner sponsored by nephew, Brett Bond
Approximate Location: Princess Restaurant
Cody Boone, Ensign
US Navy, 2023 – Present
USS Charleston, LCS-18, San Diego, CA
Cody is stationed onboard the USS Charleston, LCS 18 in San Diego, CA. Cody is the 1st Lieutenant in charge of the ships deck department and also the MWR officer. He was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade in December 2025. He is the son of Carla and Todd Boone.
Banner sponsored by father, Todd Boone
Approximate Location: Frostburg Inn
Madison Shaun Cesnick, 1st Lieutenant
US Army, 2024 – Present
Army Achievement Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Distinguished Military Graduate, Warrior Spirit Award
Banner sponsored by Cesnick Insurance
Approximate Location: LG’s Pizzeria & Pub
William J. Colberg, Sergeant
US Army, 2000-2004, 2007-2012
Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom
Banner sponsored by spouse Terri Colberg
Approximate Location: Mechanic St. Parking Lot – Across from City Place
James P Cummings Sr., Technical Sergeant
US Army, 1942 – 1946: WWII
Banner sponsored by grand-daughter Melissa Wilt
Approximate Location: Broadway – Across from Somerset Trust
John Cutter, First Sergeant
US Army, 1997-2017
War on Terror, Two-time Bronze Star recipient, Combat Infantrymen Badge
Banner sponsored by mother, Debbie O’Rourke
Approximate Location: American Legion
Edward David Drew, First Sergeant
MD Army National Guard, 1/24/1956 – 3/24/1990
Recipient of: Meritorious Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Reserve Components Medal
Military schools attended included 1st Sergeant school, 1987, Advanced NCO school, 1983, and numerous military schools to fulfill his duties as a combat engineer, demolition specialist, squad leader, and truck driver. 1st Sergeant Drew started in the Infantry at Company D, 115th Infantry, 29 Division, Frostburg, Maryland. He served with Company C, 121st Engineer Battalion (Combat), Frostburg, Maryland. He concluded his career with Company B, Cumberland, Maryland until his retirement in 1990. During his service he was deployed to Cambridge, MD during the 1962 racial rioting in that area. In 1968 he again served with riot control in Baltimore, MD following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1972 he was deployed to College Park, MD to help quell Vietnam War protest riots. His Meritorious Service Medal is the highest medal a National Guardsman can attain and is received from the President through executive order. He was also a long standing member of Shaft Volunteer Fire Department and Shaft United Methodist Church serving in a leadership capacity for both. He was a dedicated husband and father who believed in service to others above self. He lived a servant leader life and was admired by many for it.
Banner sponsored by son Jim Drew
Approximate Location: Broadway – Across from Somerset Trust
Kermit “Jake” Failinger, Corporal
US Army, 1952 – 1954
Korean War
Recipient of: National Defense Service Medal, Occupation Medal, Good Conduct Medal
After the service, Jake spent most of his life in business. He started his own construction company and had many additional ventures along the way. His crowning achievement was the restoration of Frostburg’s Hotel Gunter. He and his wife Thelma restored the Hotel to its original glory. The Hotel was operated by the Failingers for 30 years. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Beall & Frost Elementary PTAs, Local & National Home Builders Association, Frostburg Lions Club and Frostburg Business & Professional Association.
Banner sponsored by daughters Dianne Failinger Short & Debra Failinger Buskirk
Approximate Location: Hotel Gunter
John Gulck, Colonel
US Air Force, 1959 – 1995: Vietnam War
Recipient of: Service Cross; Bronze Star (3x); Commendation Medal, Outstanding Unit Award; Vietnam Service Medal; with 3 bronze stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Combat Readiness Medal
Banner sponsored by daughter Kellee Smith
Approximate Location: Frostburg Fiber Depot
Nathan Hillegass , Specialist
US Army, 2019 – Present
Banner sponsored by mother, Heather Hillegass
Approximate Location: Mountain City Coffeehouse
Robert C. Hohing, Private First Class
US Army, Infantry, 1943 – 1945
World War II, Battle of the Bulge
Recipient of Purple Heart
Prisoner of War, captured by Germans during Battle of the Bulge
Banner sponsored by son, Lawrence Hohing
Approximate Location: J-R’s Embroidery & Screenprinting
Ryan William Hunt, Lieutenant Commander, Naval Flight Officer
US Navy, Jan 1, 2009 – Present: Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve
Recipient of: Commendation Medals, Navy Achievement Medals, Strike Flight Air Medals, Sea Service Deployment Ribbons
Banner sponsored by father Bill Hunt
Approximate Location: Frostburg Elks
C. Doug Kenney, Lieutenant, Ship’s Cook, (Ret)
US Navy, 1972- 2003
Approximate Location: Frostburg Elks
Robert Klink, Specialist 5 (SP5)
US Army, 1969-1970
Vietnam; 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, D Company
Served with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, D Company and was on a tank for the majority of his tour.
Banner Sponsored by son, Loren Klink
Approximate Location: Hotel Gunter
Luke Kostovick, Private First Class
US Marine Corps, 2025 – Present
Banner Sponsored by Kostovick Family
Approximate Location: Princess Restaurant
Dayne Lancaster, Firefighter
Frostburg Fire Department, 1979 – Present
Firefighter of the Year Award in 2008 and again in 2018. Firefighter, driver, Building Committee Chairman, and Treasurer. Previously a Fire Lieutenant
Banner sponsored by daughter-in-law Heather Lancaster & Spectrum Designs, LLC
Approximate Location: Spectrum Designs, LLC
Emory Lancaster, Russel Lancaster, Dayne Lancaster
Frostburg Fire Department, FFD CO.16 and Deale CO.42, Over 100 years of combined service
Banner sponsored by Stevens Electrical Inc
Gary F. Llewellyn, Sergeant First Class
US Army Reserve, 1967-1991,
Desert Shield, Desert Storm
Banner sponsored by daughter, Cathie Yutzy
Approximate Location: Wix & Wax Candle Bar
Kameron C. Lynch, Corporal
US Marine Corps, 2019 – 2024
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Sponsored by mother, Kimberly Raley
Trevor C. Lynch, Sergeant
US Marine Corps, 2017 – 2022
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National Defense Medal
Sponsored by mother, Kimberly Raley
Alexander Maddy, Airman
US Air Force, July 2021 – Present
Proudly honored by Stephanie Maddy of the Goodfellow Agency
Approximate Location: Goodfellow Real Estate
John “Jack” McKenzie, Private First Class
US Army, May 1950 to November 1950 (Declared MIA 11/2/50)
Korean War; B Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Calvary Regt, 1st Calvary Division
Recipient of Purple Heart, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal
Banner Sponsored by nephew Brett Bond
Approximate Location: American Legion
Dylan McKenzie, Private Second Class
US Army, 2023 – Present
Dylan is a 2023 Graduate of Mountain Ridge High School. He enlisted in the Army in July 2023. He is currently stationed at Fort Drum, NY. In his downtime, he loves driving around town in his 1947 Ford 1/2 ton.
Banner sponsored by The General Art Store
Approximate Location: General Art Store
Lucas McKenzie, Private Second Class (PV2)
US Army, 2025 – Present
Banner sponsored by The General Art Store
Approximate Location: General Art Store
Robert E. McKenzie, Private First Class
US Army, 1943-1946
World War II, 394th Infantry: Rifleman/Scout. Battle of the Bulge; Ardennes Forest; Rhineland; Crossing of the Rhine at Remagen.
Recipient of Good Conduct Medal, 3 star European African Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon, WWII Victory Ribbon, Army of Occupation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, US Army Sharpshooter Badge.
Served in combat with the 394th Infantry in the European Theatre of Operations as rifleman and scout.scouting. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge, the Ardennes Forest, the Rhineland, and the crossing of the Rhine at Remagen.
Banner sponsored by son, Edward McKenzie
Approximate Location: Wix & Wax Candle Bar
Trent C. Merbaugh, Sergeant
US Marine Corps, 2019 – 2026
Security Battalion, Quantico VA
Banner sponsored by parents
Approximate Location: Frostburg Library
Gracie Metts, Senior Airman
US Air Force, 2020 – Present
Banner sponsored by grandparents
Approximate Location: Water Street – across from City Place
William J. Miller, Corporal
US Army, 1942-1946
Medic stationed in New Guinea during World War II
Banner sponsored by son-in-law Lawrence Hohing
Approximate Location: Mountain City Traditional Arts
Tom Peterson, Lieutenant Colonel
US Army, 1967 – 1973, 1980 – 2002
Desert Storm, Recipient of Meritorious Service Medal
Tom was trained at Fort Sam Adams in San Antonio and Walter Reed in Washington, DC to become a nurse anesthetist. His skills were called upon to serve in Riyadh during Desert Storm as a reservist. On his way home, he was asked to perform “God Bless the USA” over the airplane’s speakers.
Banner sponsored by wife, JoAnn Peterson
Approximate Location: City Place
Charles “Chuck” Race, Sergeant
US Marine Corps, 1967 – 1971: Vietnam War
9th Marines 1968 TET Offensive; Khe Sahn Operational campaigns: Con Thien, Gio Linh Cam Lo Dong Ha Quang Tri Cua Viet
Recipient of: Meritorious Unit medal , Presidential Unit Medal, Combat action medal, National Defense medal, Good Conduct medal, Vietnam Service medal, Vietnam Campaign medal
Banner sponsored by spouse Linda Race
Approximate Location: Broadway – Somerset Trust
Cecil C. Swauger, Surgical Technician, Technician – 5
US Army, 1943 – 1946: WWII
Lightning Division, 35th Infantry, 25th Division in Luzon
Recipient of: Good Conduct Medal; Medical Badge; American Theater Ribbon; Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon; Philippine Liberation Ribbon; Victory Ribbon WWII
Banner sponsored by Tim Swauger
Approximate Location: Baker Babes
Jack Thomas, Second Lieutenant
US Army Air Forces, 1941-1943: WWII
Recipient of: Purple Heart
“Jack Thomas and his brother Ralph were both tragically lost in 1943 flying for the Army Air Forces. Ralph was lost over the Aleutians in January while Jack was shot down over Sicily in July. Their parents lived on Bowery Street and also had two other sons in the armed forces during the war, Emerson and Richard, who survived. Jack was a student at Frostburg State University when he enlisted. He left a wife and a child.”
Banner sponsored by Kevin Moroney
Approximate Location: Verizon
Ralph Thomas, Staff Sergeant
US Army Air Forces, 1941-1943: WWII
Recipient of: Purple Heart, Air Medal
Jack and Ralph Thomas were brothers from Bowery St. in Frostburg and both lost their lives in the same year during World War II. Ralph’s plane was lost in the Aleutian Islands. He and his brother Jack are memorialized on many memorials in the city.
Banner sponsored by Kevin Moroney
Approximate Location: Frostburg Library
Paul T. Wilson, Lance Corporal
US Marine Corps, 1941 – 1945, WWII
Purple Heart
Pacific Theatre; L Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Division
Banner sponsored by son, Dan Wilson
Kody Wilt, A1C
US Air Force, 2021- present
Banner sponsored by aunt Jessie Stevenson
Approximate Location: Broadway – Window Expressions