Twenty-seven Montana veterans have been honored this year by U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte.
“They make our state a better place through their service to country and community,” Gianforte said in a statement. “On behalf of all Montanans, I thank them for their sacrifice and commitment to our communities."
In September, Gianforte asked Montanans to nominate outstanding veterans for the 2019 Montana Congressional Veteran Commendation. Gianforte created the award in 2017. The veterans were honored at a ceremony and awarded commemorative flags that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol. The recipients included 23 men and four women. Since the award was created in 2017, 60 Montana veterans have been recognized for their service with the commendation.
The 2019 Montana Congressional Veteran Commendation recipients are as follows:
Justin Bradley of Lolo – U.S. Marine Corps; Operation Enduring Freedom
Herbert Cogley of Clancy – U.S. Army; Vietnam War
Michael Eisenhauer of Great Falls – U.S. Army; 1990-2008, including Iraq War
Daniel Flynn of Belgrade – U.S. Army; Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom Sentinel
LeRoy Gaub of Bozeman – U.S. Army; 1972-2003
James Geiger of Conrad – U.S. Army Air Corps; World War II
Thomas Goyette of Butte – U.S. Navy; Vietnam War
Greg Grove of Eureka – U.S. Navy; 1983-1984
Roland Heaton of Townsend – U.S. Army; Vietnam War
Donald Helmbrecht of Victor – U.S. Army; Vietnam War
Jodie Penrod Jolly of Dillon – U.S. Air Force; 1982-2014
Richard Klose, Sr. of Laurel – U.S. Army; 1961-1964
Roger Knoell of Butte – U.S. Navy; Vietnam War
Mary LaForge of Crow Agency – U.S. Air Force; 1977-1983
Dale Longfellow of Hobson – U.S. Navy; 1961-1964
Justin Madill of Great Falls – U.S. Army; Operation Enduring Freedom
Perry Miller of Chinook – U.S. Marine Corps and Montana Army National Guard; 1977-1982, 1986-1993
Adeline Mitchell of Glasgow – U.S. Navy; World War II
Neil Neary of Butte – U.S. Army; Korean War
Thomas Price of Eureka – U.S. Navy; 1944-1946, including Iwo Jima and Okinawa
Harold Riensche of Reed Point – U.S. Marine Corps; Vietnam War
Karen Semple of Montana City – U.S. Air Force; 1973-1982
Quintin Stephen-Hassard of Dillon – U.S. Navy; Vietnam War
Thomas Straugh of Dillon – U.S. Navy; 1968-1998
James Watkins of Dillon – U.S. Air Force and Montana Army National Guard; 1965-1968, 1974-1995
Bill White of Helena – U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve; 1966-1969, 1983-2007
George Wright of Laurel – U.S. Army; World War II
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