By Dr. Kevin P. Wallace
Van of Valor
NORTH PORT, Fla. – As we look back on the 280-day mission of the Van of Valor, we want to share the raw numbers that powered our journey to honor America’s fallen heroes.
Every mile driven was a tribute, and every gallon burned was a testament to our commitment to never forget.
Yet, we live in a world of limited resources, and wars already fought for the little remaining.
The true cost of remembrance cannot ever be summed by dollar signs and cents, but without those monetary necessities, the mission can’t move far.
Our primary vessel, the Van of Valor, was the workhorse of this journey, consuming 2,120 gallons of diesel as it traversed the nation. Between March and December of 2025, that diesel cost us $7,780.40.
However, the road was not always smooth. The Van endured four major breakdowns — from radiator failures to snapped axles — forcing us into rental vehicles to keep the mission alive. During those times, we used an additional 422.75 gallons of gasoline, which cost us $1,480.27 in 2025.
If we were to launch this same 280-day mission today, the financial landscape would look much different. With diesel prices surging in 2026 to an average of $5.42 per gallon, the fuel for the Van alone would jump to $11,481.92, a staggering $3,700+ increase. Including gasoline and current taxes, the total fuel bill today would be roughly $14,830, compared to the $9,260 we paid in 2025.
People often ask: Is it worth it?
With fuel prices climbing and maintenance costs rising, is the Van of Valor still “vitally important?”
Our answer is a resounding yes.
You cannot put a price on honoring and remembering our bravest warriors.
The cost of a gallon of diesel may fluctuate, but the debt of gratitude we owe to those who gave everything is permanent. The Van of Valor is more than a vehicle; it is a moving monument. In a world that moves faster every day, the need to pause, reflect, and say the names of our fallen is more critical now than ever before.
We pay the price at the pump so that the families of our heroes never feel the world has forgotten their sacrifice.
The mission continues.
To read more, visit www.HelpVoV.com
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