HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today recognized two Helena veterans at the State Capitol with the 2021 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation.

Gov. Gianforte presented awards to Master Sergeant Timothy C. Peters and Lieutenant Colonel Cory Sena, both of Helena.

“I was humbled and privileged to welcome Cory and Tim, two of Montana’s most outstanding veterans, to the Capitol today and honor them,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Their spirit of duty to a cause greater than themselves was an asset to our nation, and now to our communities. Recognizing our state’s impressive, selfless veterans, like Cory and Tim, is what the Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation is all about.”

Master Sergeant Timothy C. Peters

As an airman in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, Master Sergeant Timothy C. Peters selflessly served our nation overseas, including in the Grenada Rescue Mission, Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, the Gulf War, and Bosnia & Kosovo Conflicts. Since retiring from the Air Force in 2001, Peters has been a driving force in supporting more than 7,000 VFW members and 100,000 veterans throughout the State of Montana.

As a Gold Legacy Life member of the VFW currently serving as State Adjutant and Quartermaster, Peters has been a VFW officer at all levels. Through his many years of service, Peters earned the distinctions of back-to-back All-American Post Commander, three-time All-State Post Commander, two-time Captain of the All-State team of Post Commanders, All-State Post and District Quartermaster and Co-Captain of the All-State Team of Post Quartermasters and All-American State Commander. Peters has been described as the epitome of the dedicated American Veteran who has lived up to the phrase “Still Serving.”

Lieutenant Colonel Cory Sena

Serving in the United States military for over two decades, Lieutenant Colonel Cory Sena earned many awards and commendations, including the Iraq Campaign Medal with three campaign stars, two Bronze Star Medals, and four Meritorious Service Medals, among many others. Sena rose through the officer ranks to Lieutenant Colonel as an Aviator, flying the AH-64 Apache Helicopter, serving at multiple duty assignments in the U.S. and overseas, during peacetime and in combat. Sena was selected to attend the NATO Defense College in Italy before serving as the Director of Management for the Joint Force Training Centre in Poland.

After 23 years of honorable military service, he continued to serve the communities of the Helena and Boulder valleys. Each month Sena volunteers countless hours between the American Legion, Helena Gold Rush Lions club, Life Covenant Church, and Helena Food Share, all while operating Grizzly Gardens with his wife Lynnette.

The Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation recognizes outstanding Montana veterans who have selflessly served our country in uniform and made a positive impact in their community. Nominations for the 2022 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation will open in September 2022. Thirty-one veterans received the award in 2021.