PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Van of Valor mission, a nationwide mobile memorial dedicated to documenting the lived experiences of combat-wounded veterans, faced a high-stakes race against time this summer.
Led by Dr. Kevin Wallace, a retired Air Force senior master sergeant and recipient of both the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Valor, and anthropologist Lauren Wallace, the team first rolled into Rhode Island in July 2025.
Their mission was urgent: the state was a critical stop in their massive undertaking to interview 317 Purple Heart recipients, Prisoners of War (POWs), and Gold Star Families across the nation.
However, the team’s Mercedes Sprinter van, the heart of their mobile studio, entered the dreaded “Limp Mode” while cruising through Connecticut on its way to the Ocean State.
With a “starts remaining” countdown ticking toward zero, the team was forced to move quickly through R.I. to reach specialized help in Boston.
Recognizing the sanctity of the mission, Mercedes-Benz USA stepped in to support the veterans, covering the full cost of the maintenance in Boston. They came to the Van of Valor’s aid in Charlotte, N.C., and in Daytona, Fla., at separate times during the year.
Undeterred by the breakdown, the Wallaces returned to Rhode Island in August via rental car to finish their work, ensuring no story was left behind.
During their July and August visits, the team focused on the state’s most dedicated veteran communities:
North Kingstown: As the state’s first Purple Heart municipality, the town honors the legacy of Private 1st Class Robert Carstensen, a Korean War soldier whose sacrifice remains a cornerstone of local memory.
Middletown: The mission recognized the legacy of Staff Sgt. Christopher Potts, a local soldier killed in action in Iraq. His name lives on through Pottsy Field, a constant reminder to the community of the cost of service.
Narragansett: The team met with local leaders to document the town’s commitment to its wounded residents, many of whom served in Vietnam and have only recently begun sharing their stories.
Jamestown: On the island of Conanicut, the Wallaces honored the “quiet professionals” of this official Purple Heart Community, emphasizing that every recipient, living or dead, is a vital thread in the state’s history.
The Van of Valor mission itself was born of valor. The mission was cofounded and is co-led by a man who knows the weight of the medal.
Dr. Kevin Wallace earned his Bronze Star with Valor and Purple Heart during a brutal 2011 engagement in Afghanistan. While under fire from over 100 Taliban fighters, he continued to document the battle even after being peppered with shrapnel from an RPG.
Today, Dr. Wallace and Lauren use the Van of Valor to ensure that the stories of the 317 families they met this year are preserved for future generations, bridging the gap between the battlefield and the home front.
To learn more about the Van of Valor mission, or to read and listen to stories of unflappable valor, visit www.HelpVoV.com. One can also support their non-profit mission there.
To reach the team, email Manteo.Creative.SPOT@gmail.com.
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