Governor Gianforte announces 2026 Montana veteran commendation recipients

LINCOLN, Mont. – During a Veterans Day ceremony in Lincoln, Governor Greg Gianforte 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.”

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 the 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 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 returned 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 flown 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