Governor Gianforte Announces 2026 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation Recipients

Attends Veterans Day ceremony in Lincoln

Governor's Office

LINCOLN, Mont. - During a Veterans Day ceremony in Lincoln, Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the 77 recipients of the 2026 Montana Governor's Veteran Commendation and presented the first award of the year to Lincoln resident and U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Muse.

"Here in Montana, we have a long and proud tradition of honoring military service and what makes our veterans so special is that their commitment to service doesn't end when they take off the uniform," Gov. Gianforte said. "This Veterans Day, I am proud to announce 77 outstanding veterans will receive the 2026 Montana Governor's Veteran Commendation. Their dedication to service embodies the very best of Montana, and I'm grateful to the Montanans who nominated these deserving heroes."

Gov. Gianforte and First Lady Susan Gianforte honoring Zachery Muse with the 2026 Montana Governor's Veteran Commendation in Lincoln

Relying on nominations from Montanans, the Montana Governor's Veteran Commendation recognizes outstanding Montana veterans who have selflessly served our country in uniform and made a positive impact in their communities. Since the program began in 2021, Gov. Gianforte has recognized 230 Montana veterans whose leadership, service, and sacrifice exemplify the very best of our state. With the addition of this year's 77 recipients, the governor will have recognized a total of 309 Montana veterans since taking office.

During the ceremony in Lincoln, Gov. Gianforte today presented a Montana Governor's Veteran Commendation to Petty Officer Third Class Zachary Muse. Muse honorably served in the United States Navy from 1990 to 1994, including during Operation Desert Storm.

Following his military service, he came home to serve with Lincoln Rural Fire, where he has served for 20 years, including the past 10 years as fire chief. Throughout his years of service with the department, Muse has helped save eight lives through CPR and has dedicated 20 years to the Upper Blackfoot Community Council.

"Zach's commitment to serving others didn't end when he took off the uniform," Gov. Gianforte said. "From serving our nation in the Navy to protecting his neighbors as fire chief, he has spent his life putting others first. It's an honor to recognize him on Veterans Day and thank him for all he's done for our state."

The remaining recipients of the 2026 Montana Governor's Veteran Commendation will be honored alongside fellow recipients in their counties at ceremonies in 2027. Each recipient will receive a Montana state flag over the Montana State Capitol in their honor.

2026 Montana Governor's Veteran Commendation Recipients:

Philip Alger of Rexford - U.S. Navy, 1980 - 2002

Christina Baker of Helena - U.S Army, 2005 - 2013

Mike Batnik of Stevensville - U.S. Navy, 1957 - 1967

Eugene Beck of Glendive - U.S. Marine Corps, 1984 - 1988

Zachery Bell of Belgrade - U.S. Army, 2004 - 2024

Jeffrey Cade of Bozeman - U.S. Navy, 1975 - 1979

Brian Carpenter of Havre - U.S. Army, 1998 - 2002

Nick Chiechi of Glasgow - U.S. Navy, 1962 - 1965

Floyd Coats of Troy - U.S Marine Corps, 1958 - 1968, National Guard 1975 - 1997

Joseph Coco of Whitefish - U.S. Marine Corps, 1985 - 1993

Jeremiah Collins of Bynum - U.S. Army, 1999 - 2011

John Collis of Eureka - U.S Army, 1973 - 1993

James Coppola of Helena - U.S. Air Force, 1997 - 2018

William "Bill" Cummins of White Sulphur Springs - U.S. Marine Corps, 1966 - 1970

Dana Darko of Great Falls - Montana National Guard, 1973 - 2004

Starnell Darko of Great Falls - U.S. Army Reserves, 1978 - 2013

Jerry Davenport of Opheim - U.S. Marine Corps, 1976 - 1980

Jeremy Dewell of Joliet - U.S. Army, 2002 - 2022

Allen Dye of Troy - U.S. Army, 1969 - 1971

Derek Ivan Emery of Eureka - U.S. Marine Corps, 1991 - 2020

Dominic Farrenkopf of Hamilton - U.S. Coast Guard, 1997 - 2001

Carl Flagert of Bozeman - U.S. Army, 2001 - 2010

Andy D. Franks of Great Falls - U.S. Air Force, 1994 - 2015

Richard Galli of Bozeman - U.S. Army, 1984 - 2006

Steve Gardner of Manhattan - U.S. Navy, 1970 - 1973

Timmothy "Tim" Garrison of Frenchtown - U.S. Marine Corps, 1992 - 2020

Brian Gilman of Bozeman - U.S. Marine Corps, 1994 - 2020

Donald Goodnight of Corvallis - U.S. Army, 2005 - 2010

Christopher Grudzinski of Billings - Montana Army National Guard, 1996 - 2009

Carol Gruwell of Great Falls - U.S. Air Force, 1970 - 1981

Bryon Gustafson of Great Falls - U.S. Army, 2002 - 2007

Jerome Hecker of Sheridan - U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam

Darryl Hensley of Bozeman - U.S. Army, 1983 - 2011

Debra Hickman of Eureka - U.S. Army, 1981 - 1989

Myles Hickman of Eureka - U.S. Army, 1981 - 1991

Elvin Jellison of Miles City - U.S. Army, 1955 - 1957; U.S. Navy, 1957 - 1975

William Jolly of Missoula - U.S. Air Force, 1990 - 1996

Alvin "Bud" Kaul of Scobey - U.S. Marine Corps, 1959 - 1965

Frederick Kessner of Culbertson - U. S. Coast Guard, 1972 - 1981

Jason Kimball of Ronan - U.S. Marine Corps, 1994 - 1998; U.S. Army, 2002 - 2011

William Lafrance of Libby - U.S. Marine Corps, 1965 - 1968

Kurt Lang of Roundup - U.S. Air Force, 1979 - 2002

Lee Lantzer of Lewistown - U.S. Army, 1966 - 1997

Chuck Lewis of Ronan - U.S. Marine Corps, 1970 - 1974

David Ley of Missoula - U. S. Army, 2008 - 2017

David Liggett of Roundup - U.S. Navy, 1972 - 1976

Donald "Scotty" MacLaren of Whitefish - U.S. Navy, 1972 - 1993

Orin Marsh of Boulder - U.S. Army, 1967 - 1968

Louis Matteau of Missoula - U.S. Army, 1989 - 2010

James Matter Jr. of Belgrade - U.S. Army, 1992 - 1997

Wally McManigle of Belt - U.S. Army, 1969 - 1970

Patrick McPherson of Roundup - U. S. Navy, 1970 - 1996

Duane C. Mechels of Great Falls - U.S. Army, 1955 - 1960

Zachary Muse of Lincoln - U.S. Navy, 1990 - 1996

Edward K. Olson of Great Falls - U.S. Marine Corps, 1966 - 1970

Gregory Olson of Florence - U.S. Army, 1990 - 2022

Douglas Otto of Great Falls - U.S. Air Force, 1990 - 1995; Montana Air National Guard,

1995 - 2021

Elmer Palmer of Lolo - U.S. Marine Corps, 1962 - 1988

Anthony Perrone of White Sulphur Springs - U.S. Navy 1991- 2023

Albert F. Priselac II of Kalispell - U.S. Army, 1985 - 2015

John Quintrell of Helena - U.S. Army 1968 - 1970

Breanna Rodriguez of Missoula - U.S. Navy, 2010 - 2014

Phil Romans of Hamilton - U.S. Air Force, 1963 - 1969

Brandy Sanders of Helena - U.S. Army, 1989 - 1994

David Severson of Hamilton - U.S. Army, 1990 - 2021

Brian Simonson of Helena - U.S. Navy, 1990 - 2010

Ronald Skinner of Corvallis - U.S. Army, 1967 - 1969

Clifford Slater of Laurel - U.S. Navy, 1968 - 1972

Jamie Smothers of Hamilton - U.S. Air Force, 1996 - 2007

Randy Stiles of Billings - U.S. Marine Corps, 1983 - 1993; U.S. Army 1999 - 2014

Robert Swanekamp of Bozeman - U.S. Navy, 1980 - 2006

Michael Thorne of Sun River - U.S. Army, 2006 - 2014

Cindy Tusler of Terry - U.S Army, 1984 - 2013

Matthew Walker of Corvallis - U.S. Coast Guard, 1982 - 2016

Michael Welton of Roundup - U.S. Navy, 1968 - 1988

Maurice "Moe" Wosepka of Helena - U.S. Army, 1968 - 1969

Terry Zieba of Missoula - U.S. Navy, 1972 - 2002

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