Army to salute Henderson advocate for extraordinary service to veterans
Peter Palivos, champion of veterans causes, to become first Nevadan to receive Army’s top civilian award
By Ray Brewer (contact)
Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025
Peter Palivos sat in Allegiant Stadium, surrounded by thousands of U.S. military veterans and their families, and he felt his emotions rising.
After 30 years of dedicating his life to honoring those who have served, the Henderson resident knew he was witnessing something extraordinary.
Day of Gratitude in June 2024 brought an estimated 17,000 veterans, military members and their families to the stadium for an unprecedented celebration. Organizers distributed more than $4 million in gifts, services and resources to attendees in what was believed to be the largest gathering of veterans in Nevada history.
Palivos, chairman of the Las Vegas-based nonprofit Voice of the Veteran that organized the Day of Gratitude, will receive the U.S. Army Distinguished Civilian Service Medal next week. With it, he will become the first Nevada civilian to receive the Army’s highest civilian distinction.
Secretary of the Army Daniel P. Driscoll approved the award, which will be presented by four-star Gen. Andrew Poppas at a private ceremony Nov. 22 in Henderson. The Distinguished Civilian Service Medal is reserved for individuals whose extraordinary service and leadership have made substantial and lasting effects on the Army’s mission and the lives of service members and their families.
That’s what Day of Gratitude was all about, Palivos said. “The whole event was based on love of country,” he said. Though he never served in the military himself, five generations of his family have worn the uniform — a legacy that fuels his unwavering commitment to veterans and the nation they served. “We are a divided country, and that is unacceptable,” he continued. “We are not a red America. We are not a blue America. We are a red, white and blue America.”
Retired Maj. Gen. Ondra Berry, the former head of the Nevada National Guard, nominated Palivos for the recognition. He’s “a leader who doesn’t just support our military community — he champions them with relentless passion and purpose,” Berry said.
Palivos began his work 30 years ago by organizing banquets for military members returning home to Las Vegas from deployment overseas. He called them “glad you made it home safely” lunches.
“Receiving the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal is not just an honor for Mr. Palivos,” Bob Maxwell, founder and CEO of Voice of the Veteran, said in a statement. “It stands as an affirmation of the power of steadfast advocacy, compassionate leadership, and results that don’t lie. His recognition shines a bright spotlight on what we are building here in Nevada and across the nation for those who have served our great nation.”
The Day of Gratitude offered something for everyone: Bronze Star ceremonies for service members from Nellis Air Force Base; concerts by Grammy-nominated artists Walker Hayes and Danny Gokey; a play zone for kids on the field; meet-and-greets with Las Vegas Raiders players; and the more than $4 million in gifts.
Dozens of vendors staffed booths throughout the stadium, offering health screenings, mental health services, home-buying assistance, disability benefits counseling and VA enrollment support.
Voice of the Veteran partnered with CityServe, a nonprofit that helps churches worldwide serve their communities. In 2022 alone, the organization distributed $126 million worth of goods to 2.5 million people.
That celebration was just the beginning. Voice of the Veteran’s next event at Allegiant Stadium is set for June 6, 2026, on the anniversary of D-Day. The organization is extending an invitation to all living World War II veterans to be honored at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas — a monumental undertaking that includes coordinating with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The mission is urgent. Of the roughly 60,000 World War II veterans still alive, most are centenarians. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, Palivos said, is scheduled to attend.
“Having all of the World War II heroes at Allegiant Stadium so we can honor them will be magical,” Palivos said. “These events bring us together. We are all Americans, and we all love our country.”
Palivos had high praise for the Raiders, who he says are the “Super Bowl champions of philanthropy” for allowing use of the stadium for free and donating much of the food and supplies used at the Day of Gratitude. Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan, he notes, comes from a military family.
As for the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, only a handful of such awards are given annually. When he is honored, Palivos will receive a gold medal, lapel button and a certificate in a ceremony he senses will be “very emotional and very humbling.”
And then he’ll keep advocating for veterans. His next project: The Nevada Veteran Project 5000, an initiative to build 5,000 affordable ownership homes for veteran and military families.
“We are beyond proud to have such an extraordinary leader and visionary guiding our mission,” Maxwell added.
