LINCOLN — Gov. Greg Gianforte announced 77 recipients of the 2026 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation during a Veterans Day ceremony, recognizing former service members who continued contributing to their communities after leaving the military.
The governor presented the first award of the year to Lincoln resident Zachary Muse, a Navy veteran who served during the period of Operation Desert Storm. Muse has spent 20 years with Lincoln Rural Fire, including the past decade as fire chief, and has participated in the Upper Blackfoot Community Council for two decades.
According to the governor’s office, Muse has helped save eight lives through CPR during his years of emergency service.
The commendation program, begun in 2021, uses nominations from Montana residents to identify veterans whose leadership and community work extend beyond their military service. The latest selections bring the program’s cumulative recognition to more than 300 veterans.
Honorees are drawn from communities throughout the state and served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and National Guard. Their service spans multiple generations, including the Vietnam era and more recent deployments.
Billings-area recipients include Christopher Grudzinski, who served in the Montana Army National Guard, and Randy Stiles, who served in the Marine Corps and Army. Jeremy Dewell of Joliet and Clifford Slater of Laurel also received recognition.
Other recipients include veterans from Great Falls, Bozeman, Helena, Missoula, Miles City, Whitefish, Hamilton and smaller Montana communities.
The remaining recipients will be honored in county ceremonies during 2027. Each will receive a Montana state flag flown over the State Capitol in their honor.
