QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY, Md. — For Chad Baker, the battle didn’t end when he left the battlefield. A Purple Heart recipient wounded during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Baker now leads DEWA Chapter 570 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart—a national organization composed of combat-wounded veterans.

Though the chapter was formed for Purple Heart recipients, Baker says the mission extends far beyond that.

“We legitimately help any veteran. So it doesn’t matter if you're combat wounded or not—we take care of everybody,” he said.

That commitment includes visiting veterans in nursing homes, delivering food and supplies to struggling families, and advocating for policy changes. But one of Baker’s biggest passions is helping veterans successfully navigate the often-confusing process of filing cl

See Full Page