During Colleyville’s 2026 Stars and Guitars patriotic celebration, held in conjunction with the grand opening of Heroes Park, Elder Bruce Carlson was honored among many community and military heroes for a lifetime of service, sacrifice, and leadership.
Family and friends gathered to support Elder Carlson during this season of Independence Day celebration. The evening included a hero induction, patriotic music, a military flyover, and fireworks — a fitting tribute to those who have served our country with courage and devotion.
Bruce is a retired four-star General in the United States Air Force. He was commissioned in 1971 through the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Minnesota, Duluth and went on to serve more than 37 years in the Air Force. During his distinguished military career, he served as a command pilot, logged more than 3,700 flying hours, including combat missions in the OCV-10 over Cambodia. He also held major leadership assignments, including command of the 49th Fighter Wing, the 8th Air Force, and Air Force Material Command.
Following his Air Force retirement, General Carlson continued to serve the nation as the 17th Director of the National Reconnaissance Office. In that role, he helped lead one of the nation’s key intelligence and space reconnaissance organizations.
In 2025, General Carlson’s lifetime of leadership was recognized again when BYU Air Force and Army ROTC honored him with the 2025 Leadership Award during the Presidential Review. Speaking to cadets, he encouraged them to draw on gospel principles for peace and perspective throughout their military service — a message that reflects the way he has carried both faith and duty throughout his life.
His leadership and national security service have continued to be recognized beyond his military career. In 2024, Utah State University awarded General Carlson an honorary Doctor of National Security Science and Policy degree, further honoring his decades of service in defense, intelligence, space, and public leadership.
Bruce is married to the former Vicki L Martens. Together they have raised 3 children and are proud grandparents of 14 grandchildren. Throughout Bruce’s military assignments, government service and church responsibilities around the world, Vicki has been a constant source of strength and support. The couple now resides in Colleyville TX.
Bruce Carlson has also given many years of faithful service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was sustained as a General Authority Seventy in April 2009 and has served in many Church callings, including bishop, high councilor, temple ordinance worker, and adviser to the Military Advisory Committee for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. During his service as a General Authority Seventy, he helped oversee the Africa North Area and supported the Church’s humanitarian efforts including refugee support.
The evening was a meaningful reminder of the strength found in faith, family, country, and community. General Carlson’s life reflects quiet courage, steady leadership, and a deep commitment to service. We are grateful that his example was honored and remembered at Heroes Park.
