Voice of the Veteran Chairman Peter Palivos to Receive U.S. Army’s Highest Civilian Honor –
A First for Nevada
By Bob Maxwell
Air Force Veteran
Voice of the Veteran CEO
Voice of the Veteran proudly announces that its Chairman, Peter Palivos, has been selected to receive the prestigious United States Army Distinguished Civilian Service Medal (DCSM) — the Army’s highest honor bestowed upon a civilian. This award recognizes individuals whose extraordinary service and leadership have made a substantial and lasting impact on the Army’s mission and the lives of service members and their families.
The honor was approved by U.S. Secretary of the Army, Daniel P. Driscoll and will be formally presented to Mr. Palivos by Four-Star General Andrew Poppas on November 22, 2025, in Henderson, Nevada. “Peter Palivos is a
leader who doesn’t just support our Military community—he champions them with relentless passion and purpose,” said U.S. Major General Ondra Berry, in recognition of Palivos’ achievements. As Chairman of Voice of the Veteran, which is headquartered in Las Vegas, Mr. Palivos has a 30 year history of supporting U.S. Veteran and Military families. Most recently, in 2024 he served as the visionary force behind the June 8, 2024, Day of Gratitude Event at Allegiant Stadium.
This unprecedented event, which registered over 15,000 Veterans, Military members, and their families, is regarded as the largest Veteran and Military exclusive philanthropic event in US history. The event distributed more than $4 million in gifts, services, and resources to America’s heroes and their families. The event for June 6, 2026, will be even bigger and with more major surprises and support services for our Nations Heroes. In 2025, Mr. Palivos also launched the Nevada Veteran Project 5000, which is committed to building 5000 affordable ownership homes for US Veteran and Military families. Contracts have been signed, and groundbreaking is set for very early 2026.
This national recognition stands as a testament not only to Mr. Palivos’ extraordinary commitment, but also to the enduring mission and growing impact of Voice of the Veteran. Under Chairman Palivos’ leadership, the organization continues to achieve measurable, life-changing results for Veterans and their families nationwide.
“Receiving the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal is not just an honor for Mr. Palivos,” said Dan Kamanao, President of Voice of the Veteran. “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.”
“We at Voice of the Veteran are beyond proud to have such an extraordinary leader and visionary guiding our mission,” Kamanao continued. “Every Veteran, Military member, and family should join us in celebrating this historic moment, as Mr. Peter Palivos becomes the first civilian from the State of Nevada to ever receive this distinguished honor for his unwavering service and dedication to our nation’s heroes.”
General Andrew Poppas stated, “what Voice of the Veteran under Peter Palivos’ leadership is doing, sets the stage for the rest of the Veterans Organizations in the country to follow to help our Veterans and their families”.
About the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal
The Army Distinguished Civilian Service Medal is the highest honor the U.S. Army can bestow upon a civilian. It is awarded by the Secretary of the Army to a few individuals whose service demonstrates exceptional devotion and significant contributions to advancing the Army’s mission, values, and readiness.
Award Criteria: Recognizes extraordinary service and substantial contributions to the Army’s mission and its people.
Rarity: Among the most selective civilian honors in the U.S. Military, which is awarded infrequently to a very few distinguished civilian recipients.
Annual Volume: Comparable Department of Defense-level honors are presented to only 7–10 civilians per year across the entire DoD workforce, underscoring the exceptional nature of this medal distinction.
As the November 22 ceremony approaches in Henderson, there is no doubt about the additional attention on how Palivos and his team leverage this milestone, and whether the Nevada Veteran Project 5000 and other initiatives continue to deliver on their bold goals.
About Voice of the Veteran
Voice of the Veteran (VOTV) is a Nevada-based 501c(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advocacy, direct support, and resources for Veterans, Military members, and their families. Through its wide-reaching programs—including pro-bono benefits claims assistance, affordable housing initiatives, Day of Gratitude event, and its sponsored global publication Veterans World Magazine—Voice of the Veteran has served tens of thousands of individuals, secured millions of dollars in benefits, and created innovative platforms that uplift and empower America’s heroes. Another amazing fact is that no member of the Voice of the Veteran takes a salary. All Members are volunteers, and every aspect of their work is from the heart with true passion.
