Van of Valor

By Dr. Kevin Wallace
Van of Valor

NORTH PORT, Fla. – The Florida sun continues to stream through the windows of a quiet, sturdy home in North Port, but the stillness inside is now complemented by the hum of the community outside. 

For Dr. Kevin P. Wallace, Lauren Wallace, and their faithful 12-year-old dachshund Sunny, the gift of permanence, provided by Building Homes for Heroes with support from Lowe’s, Chase, JPMorgan, and the local North Port Police and Fire Departments, has opened doors far beyond their own.

In the weeks since settling into their new home, which they’ve lovingly named “Hearthside,” the Wallaces have been welcomed warmly by City officials and fellow residents. 

From neighborhood meet-and-greets to discussions with local leaders about veteran advocacy, the family has found not just a house, but a community united in its respect for service and sacrifice.

Lauren, embracing this newfound stability, has channeled her formidable energy back into her academic work, diving into a new semester at Harvard. 

The home provides the quiet space necessary for deep thought and study, a stark contrast to planning research and interviews from a van’s compact interior. Sunny, with the seasoned wisdom of a road-traveled dog, has claimed a perfect patch of sunlight for her naps, her belly full and secure.

Yet, the mission of the Van of Valor continues from this new home base. 

The walls that now hold their family memories are becoming the headquarters for their next sacred duty: preparing to interview a local Korean War Purple Heart recipient. 

This brave veteran, a longtime North Port resident, has agreed to share his story, and the tough and honorable work of writing it into a book is about to begin, a task made possible by the stability of four walls and a roof.

Looking ahead, the Wallace family is preparing for an exciting new chapter in their outreach efforts. Plans are underway to remodel the Van of Valor, transforming it into a mobile educational exhibit. 

Once complete, the van will visit schools, businesses, community events, and tourist destinations throughout the region. Its mission: to inform more locals and visitors about the extraordinary living Purple Heart recipients and the fallen, and to honor the Gold Star families left behind.

From their new home, Kevin, Lauren, and Sunny extend their deepest thanks. This journey from the Van of Valor to a place of their own was paved by the support of countless volunteers and tremendous supporters like you. Thank you for staying with them through all the ups and downs. This is not an end, but a beautiful new beginning for their vital work.

Read more at http://www.HelpVoV.com