Larry Peterson, a Vietnam combat veteran who led a yearslong capital campaign to bring an Honor Bell to the Pikes Peak region, was recently selected as the 2025 El Paso County Veteran of the Year.

Peterson, who served in the Air Force from June 1970 to November 1974, said he was surprised and humbled when he learned of the honor.

“I actually nominated another veteran for the award,” he said. “But it’s nice to be recognized.”

The Veteran of the Year program recognizes a local veteran who has demonstrated “exceptional community involvement, and a lasting commitment to supporting fellow veterans,” according to the El Paso County website. To be considered for the award, a candidate has to be honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces, reside in El Paso County and have a demonstrated history of serving the community and supporting other veterans.

Peterson, whose decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal, has always had an affinity for his fellow veterans. But he found his calling a few years ago when he learned about the Honor Bell.

At the time, the 1,000-pound bronze bell was primarily used during memorial services at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver. The Honor Bell Foundation, a Colorado-based nonprofit, would bring it to Colorado Springs two days a month.

Cast in 2016, the original Honor Bell contains donated artifacts from 12 deceased Colorado veterans, including a Purple Heart, service medals from various wars and other uniform insignia and accessories.

When Peterson learned that efforts were underway to cast a second bell for the Pikes Peak region, he offered to donated his Distinguished Flying Cross. But the foundation wouldn’t accept it.

“They told me, ‘We can’t take this. You’re not dead yet,” he said, laughing.

After more than five years of campaigning and fundraising, the second Honor Bell was dedicated in November. Since then, it has been used in more than 250 services at Pikes Peak National Cemetery, Peterson said.

“It was a long journey,” he said. “Sometimes I still can’t believe we managed it.”

Peterson dedicated more than 1,100 volunteer hours in 2025 alone, coordinating nearly 1,000 funeral honors across two national cemeteries, county officials said.

“Larry Peterson’s dedication to honoring his fellow Veterans and supporting their families reflects the very best of service,” said Charles Graves, who manages the El Paso County Veterans Services Division. “His impact is felt across our community.”

Peterson, 75, said his volunteerism is his way of continuing to serve his community.

“When veterans leave the service, the desire to serve doesn’t go away,” he said. “That’s why so many become police officers, firefighters and other public servants. They continue to not only participate in the community, but they help lead it, and help guide it.”

Louis Olivera, the late founder and first executive director of the Honor Bell Foundation, dreamed of a future where every national cemetery in the U.S. has an Honor Bell. The Department of Veterans Affairs maintains 157 national cemeteries, so the foundation has its work cut out for it.

Peterson said he hopes to be part of the effort to bring Olivera’s dream to fruition.

“Serving alongside others who are committed to honoring our fellow veterans has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my life,” he said. “It’s a privilege to continue serving in a way that supports families and keeps the legacy of our veterans alive.”