SANTA BARBARA — Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation welcomes Dennis Peterson as Chairman of the Wings of Honor Committee. He brings his years of experience in the business sector as well as service in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War to the committee.
Peterson is President of The Laurel Company and Managing Member of American Self Storage, one of the first real property asset management firms in Central California.
Peterson graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1963 prior to serving as a combat command officer in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. Peterson was awarded the Purple Heart.
Following his service, Peterson started his real estate career. After only a short time in the field, he established D.A. Peterson Enterprises, Inc., his own real estate firm, in 1973. Peterson was chosen as Property Manager of the Year for the California Coast chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) in 1989 and continues to set the bar for professionalism in property management.
The Wings of Honor, a 10-ton glass wing structure to be built at the Santa Barbara Airport, will be a world-class tribute to all the Marines, Navy, Coast Guard and civilian employees who served at the Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara during World War II. That Air Station was located where the Santa Barbara Airport exists today.
Wings of Honor is one of the many ways that the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation supports and honors veterans. To learn more about the sculpture or to donate to the project, visit www.wingsofhonorsb.org.
About Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation: Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation is committed to honoring the men and women who have served in U.S. military efforts. PCVF does this by supporting veterans and active duty members in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties as well as preserving military history and legacy. The Foundation is developing a Veterans Museum in downtown Santa Barbara as well as the “Wings of Honor” public art piece at the Santa Barbara Airport, both of which uphold Pierre Claeyssen’s vision that those who have served are “Never Forgotten.” PCVF is funded entirely by private donations. For more information, visit www.pcvf.org or call (805) 259-4394.