Montanans have until Wednesday, Oct. 28, to nominate a veteran for the 2026 Governor’s Veteran Commendation.
The governor’s official page sets the deadline at 11:59 p.m. Mountain time. The state plans to announce this year’s honorees on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, with the honorees recognized in the new year.
Who qualifies
Under the posted rules, a nominee must:
- live in Montana now,
- have an honorable discharge from the U.S. armed services, and
- have a record of service to their community.
Veterans cannot nominate themselves. Someone else has to put their name forward. The award is not given posthumously under the current rules.
The commendation looks at what a veteran has done since leaving the service, not just how long they served. The program counts mentoring, volunteering, civic work and helping other veterans as community service.
The governor’s office says 230 Montana veterans have been recognized since the program began in 2021. The state publishes a list of past recipients.
Making a nomination
Family members and neighbors often know about help that never shows up in a public bio: the rides to appointments, the coaching, the work for a local post. Specific examples carry more weight than praise. Get dates and details right, and be careful with personal and military records.
Submitting a nomination does not guarantee recognition, and the state does not promise individual status updates.
The commendation is not a benefit program, and it is not a measure of anyone’s whole military record. Plenty of veterans who deserve thanks will never be nominated. Hi-Line families who know one can find the form on the governor’s commendation page.
