February 20, 2026 3:30 a.m. 

Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice, and Tim Freeman have congratulated Douglas County Human Resources Director Michael Kurtz as the latest recipient of the Four Chaplains Legion of Honor award.

A county release said Kurtz was surprised with the award at a special presentation on Wednesday at the Board of Commissioners weekly business meeting. Kurtz joins four other 2025/26 Four Chaplains award winners who received awards on February 7th at a local ceremony.

After receiving the award, Kurtz said, “I want to say thank you. I am deeply honored and deeply humbled.” In a speech he thought he was preparing to present to Commissioner Freeman, Kurtz said, “We veterans defend our nation against enemies to our freedoms, liberties, and constitutional rights. And in return, all we really expect is that in times of peace, that our citizens live up to those ideals. If those ideals we defended are preserved, our job was done and all the gratitude we ever need has been given”.

Kurtz spent much of his childhood in Riddle. He served in the United States Army from 1989 to 1992, during which time he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his work as a military photojournalist during the Gulf War. As a senior editor, he was part of the team that received the Department of Defense Keith L. Ware Award for producing the most outstanding military newspaper. Kurtz completed graduate studies and professional education programs at Willamette University and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Kurtz has been the Douglas County Human Resources Director since July 2012. Kurtz previously served on the board of directors for the local chapter of Court Appointed Special Advocates and Battered Persons Advocacy, which is now known as Peace at Home Advocacy Center.

Since 2012, the local Four Chaplains Chapter has awarded 4 Legion of Honor Bronze Medallions, 3 Legion of Honor Humanitarian Awards, 58 Legion of Honor Awards, and 11 Appreciation Awards.