LINCOLN — For Zachary Muse, service did not end with his time in the U.S. Navy.
Muse was recognized on Veterans Day for the impact he has continued to make in Lincoln, where he has spent two decades volunteering with Lincoln Rural Fire, including the last 10 years as fire chief.
Veterans, their families and community members gathered in Lincoln Tuesday to mark Veterans Day. During the ceremony, Gov. Greg Gianforte announced the 77 recipients of the 2026 Montana Governor's Veteran Commendation and presented Muse with the first award of the year.
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"It's so appropriate that when we're saying thank you to all the veterans, we call out one individual who has served in the Navy and then come home and served in the rural firefighting group here," Gianforte said.
The Montana Governor's Veteran Commendation recognizes veterans not only for their military service, but also for the impact they have made in their communities after returning home.
Muse served in the Navy from 1990 to 1994, including during Operation Desert Storm. He said those four years helped shape the direction his life would take after coming home.
"It changed my life," Muse said. "Just trying to help people means a lot to me."
For Muse, one of the places where he felt he could make the biggest difference was the local fire department.
"The fire department is where I really felt I could do the most because it's hard to find volunteers anymore," Muse said.
Over his 20 years with Lincoln Rural Fire, Muse has helped save eight lives through CPR. He has also watched the volunteer department grow from roughly eight to 10 members when he started to more than 20 today.
Muse said the work often means meeting neighbors during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
"Just, you know, always being there for people in their worst day, comforting to them and trying to help out as many people as we can," Muse said.
The leadership and sense of responsibility Muse developed during his military service have continued to influence his role in Lincoln.
"Being a leader in the community, doing what you can to help, you know, not just your country but the local folks that need those people to step up," Muse said.
That connection between military and community service extends beyond Muse at Lincoln Rural Fire.
Muse said a number of the department's volunteers are veterans.
"We've got a lot of veterans in town, and a lot of the veterans are the ones that help because it's just in their nature," Muse said.
Among them is Lincoln Rural Fire Capt. Merle Hoerner, a 15-year Army veteran.
Hoerner received the Governor's Veteran Commendation at the State Capitol in September. After receiving the honor himself, he nominated Muse, his fire chief, for the same recognition.
Hoerner said the sense of responsibility to others doesn't simply disappear when military service ends.
"No, it's always in your head," Hoerner said.
For him, that commitment has continued through the fire department.
"We're all volunteers. We don't get paid for nothing, but we're there," Hoerner said. "You call, we'll be there."
Gianforte said that continued commitment is at the heart of the commendation program.
"Veterans not only serve our country. They come home and serve community," Gianforte said. "That's what the Governor's Veteran Commendation is all about."
The program began in 2021 and had recognized 230 Montana veterans before this year's class. With another 77 recipients announced for 2026, the total will rise to 309.
The remaining 2026 recipients are expected to be recognized at ceremonies in their counties in 2027. Each recipient will also receive a Montana state flag flown over the State Capitol in their honor.
For the veterans gathered in Lincoln on Veterans Day, Muse's recognition highlighted a form of service that can continue long after a veteran comes home, whether that's responding to a neighbor's emergency, volunteering in the community or simply being willing to step up when someone needs help.
