Governor Gianforte Honors Final 2025 Montana Veteran Commendation Award Recipients

Governor's Office

HELENA, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte this week recognized thirteen recipients of the 2025 Montana Governor's Veteran Commendation during ceremonies held in Townsend and Helena. Since 2021, the governor has recognized 230 Montana veterans who are nominated to receive the award. The veterans recognized this week are among 61 recipients of the 2025 award.

"These veterans answered the call to serve our country, and their commitment to service didn't stop when they took off the uniform," Gov. Gianforte said. "Through their continued service to fellow veterans, their neighbors, and their communities, Linda and these twelve veterans represent the very best of Montana. It's an honor to recognize them."

Gov. Gianforte honoring Richard Reeves with the 2025 Montana Governor's Veteran Commendation in Helena

The Montana Governor's Veteran Commendation recognizes veterans who have honorably served in uniform and continue making meaningful contributions to their communities.

During a ceremony held in Broadwater County this week, the governor recognized Staff Sergeant Linda Cousineau in Townsend. Cousineau served in the United States Air Force and later continued serving others through emergency response, health care, veterans' organizations, and community service. She has also spent 15 years with the Lewis and Clark Honor Guard and held leadership roles with the American Legion and Rotary.

At the Montana State Capitol, the governor concluded the veteran ceremonies for the 2025 award recognizing twelve veterans from Jefferson, Lake, Lewis and Clark, and Lincoln counties:

• Petty Officer Third Class Micah Clark of Libby served as a United States Navy Hospital Corpsman. In 2005, he founded Camp Patriot, which has provided outdoor experiences and support to more than 1,000 disabled and injured veterans and first responders.

• Command Master Chief Mark Dawkins of Lincoln served more than three decades in the United States Navy and Navy Reserve Seabees. He continues supporting fellow veterans through the Veteran Association of Lincoln.

• Staff Sergeant Richard Foreman of Lincoln served more than two decades in the United States Army and Army National Guard, including during the Gulf War and in counterdrug operations. After returning home, he has served for 15 years as commander of American Legion Lincoln Post 9.

• Sergeant Major Todd Gerving of Clancy served 32 years in the Montana Army National Guard, including a deployment to Afghanistan. He later founded the Montana Alaska Veterans Alliance to connect veterans with support and outdoor opportunities.

• Staff Sergeant Merle Hoerner of Lincoln served in the United States Army, supporting operations during the Vietnam War and Desert Storm. He later served his community through the Lincoln Rural Fire Department and American Legion Post 9.

• Specialist Five Larrey Lattin of Boulder served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, including with the 5th Special Forces Group. He has continued serving veterans and his community for more than five decades through the VFW and other organizations.

• Sergeant David Poole of Helena served in the United States Army with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and completed two tours in Afghanistan. He later served as an Army recruiter in Great Falls and continues supporting veterans in the Helena community.

• Sergeant First Class Richard Reeves of St. Ignatius served 35 years in the United States Army and Army Reserve, including combat service in Vietnam. He later spent 15 years mentoring University of Montana ROTC cadets.

• Machinist Mate James Richardson of Boulder served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam era. He has continued serving through decades of leadership with the VFW and American Legion and more than 20 years as a volunteer firefighter.

• Gunnery Sergeant Issac Sato of Jefferson City served 20 years in the United States Marine Corps, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He continues assisting fellow veterans through Disabled American Veterans in Montana.

• Staff Sergeant Douglas Vulcan of Lincoln served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He has continued serving through American Legion Lincoln Post 9 and through decades as a teacher, coach, and community volunteer.

• Colonel William Woolf of Wolf Creek served 23 years in the United States Air Force, including in missile and space operations. Following retirement, he founded the Space Force Association and continues supporting service members and the nation's military space mission.

Each recipient received a Montana state flag flown over the Montana State Capitol in their honor and a letter from the governor recognizing their military service and continued commitment to their communities.

Nominations for the 2026 Montana Governor's Veteran Commendation are now open until Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Recipients will be announced on Veterans Day and honored in ceremonies across the state next year.

"Since 2021, we've had the honor of recognizing 230 Montana veterans through this commendation, but we know there are many more deserving veterans across our state," Gov. Gianforte said. "We need Montanans' help to nominate them. I encourage folks in every corner of our state to let us know about a veteran who continues to serve their neighbors and community."

To learn more about the commendation and nominate a Montana veteran, visit recognizeveterans.mt.gov.

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