BUTTE, Mont. – Rep. Greg Gianforte honored two Butte veterans on Friday – Harold “Pete” Godtland who served in the army in WWII, and Navy nurse Eileen Greb who served in Vietnam.
“I didn’t expect anything like this at all, for him to come all the way over here to honor me,” said Godtland.
Both received the Montana Congressional Veteran Commendation. Godtland, 93, served in the Pacific theater during the war.
“I came into Okinawa in the infantry as a replacement and they threw me right on the front lines and the old timers kept me alive,” he said.
Godtland has spent the past 20 years honoring his fellow veterans by playing the trumpet with the honor guard at veterans’ events and funerals.
“In rain, snow or shine, whatever comes up,” Godtland said. “I’m so thankful for the honor guard to say the last salute to the veterans, which is a great honor and we take it very serious.”
Greb cared for the wounded during the Vietnam war, and she’s delighted to be recognized on Vietnam Veterans Day. She said it’s important for veterans of that war to be recognized and appreciated.
“That it is absolutely important because if you’re not valued by others, we have a hard time valuing ourselves,” said Greb.
Both Godtland and Greb were given flags that flew over the U.S. Capitol.
