Van of Valor

Lauren Wallace
Van of Valor

LAS VEGAS – The concussion of the IED is a moment frozen in time — a blast that earns a medal and a lifetime of scars, both seen and unseen. 

For many who survive it, the return home marks the end of one battle and the beginning of another. But for a select few like Dr. John Heintzelman, that moment became a catalyst for a new, profound mission: a lifelong pledge to heal the brothers and sisters they left behind.

In a ceremony on February 15, 2017, the Nevada Department of Veterans Services recognized Heintzelman, a 22-year Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient, as “Veteran of the Month.” 

The accolades on his uniform, the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, speak to a career of valor and sacrifice. But in his retirement, the service that defines him happens far from the parade ground.

Heintzelman’s war is now against homelessness and despair. Through his work with U.S. Vets, he has been a pivotal force in securing housing for more than 480 homeless veterans and their families in the Las Vegas area. 

He volunteers at stand-down events, assembles care packages for the homeless during frigid winter months, and works tirelessly to fundraise for causes like Toys for Tots.

Perhaps most poignantly, Heintzelman now walks the halls of Nellis Air Force Base, not as a soldier, but as a peer, something the Van of Valor’s cofounder, Air Force veteran Dr. Kevin Wallace, understood well. 

Heintzelman works closely with Airmen grappling with Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), offering a unique form of counsel that can only come from someone who has borne the same invisible wounds. His continued service is a quiet, steadfast dedication — a lifelong soldier answering a new call to duty.

“The military teaches you to never leave a fallen comrade,” Heintzelman’s work seems to say. “And the battle doesn’t end when you come home.”

This ethos of relentless service finds a powerful echo in the story of Wallace and his wife Lauren too. 

If Heintzelman’s approach is that of a steadfast garrison, Wallace’s is a rapid deployment. Also a Bronze Star recipient — his notably with a “V” device for valor in combat — Wallace co-founded the Van of Valor, an organization that has completely dedicated every facet of his life to supporting veterans and Gold Star families.

While their methods differ, their origin is the same: a moment of trauma on the battlefield that forged an unbreakable bond with those who serve. Wallace’s Van of Valor represents a mobile, all-in commitment, a tangible resource and a symbol of hope for families navigating the devastating loss of a loved one.

Together, Heintzelman and Wallace represent two powerful, complementary fronts in the same war. Heintzelman fights the long campaign against homelessness and the internal struggles of PTS, providing stability and a path forward. Wallace mobilizes to address immediate, profound grief, ensuring the legacies of the fallen are never forgotten.

Their parallel paths underscore a broader ecosystem of care in Nevada, a state striving to become the nation’s most veteran-friendly. The same ceremony that honored Heintzelman also named the Nevada Veterans Foundation “Veteran Supporter of the Month” for its successful $3-million campaign to build the Las Vegas Fisher House — a “home away from home” for military families during medical crises.

From Heintzelman’s hands-on work with homeless veterans and struggling Airmen, to Wallace’s total dedication through the Van of Valor, to the foundational support of organizations like the Nevada Veterans Foundation, a network of hope is being built. It is a network led by those who understand the cost of service best — warriors who, after bearing the scars of battle, have chosen a lifetime of healing for others. Their greatest legacy is not the medals on their chests, but the lives they are still saving, long after the guns have fallen silent.

Other notable and famous veterans either from or who lived in Las Vegas for a lengthy period of time include:

Military and entertainment figures

Ahrez “Jim” Karim: A highly decorated WWII veteran who served as a paratrooper and was awarded the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and the WWII Victory Medal.

Leroy Wagner: Another highly decorated WWII veteran from Las Vegas who received the Chevalier of the National Order of the Legion of Honor from France, the highest honor given by France.

Joe Vento: A musician who served in the U.S. Army during WWII, where he played in the Army Band and backed famous artists like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.

Wayne Newton: Though not from Las Vegas, Newton is a famous entertainer who has spent most of his career there and is a veteran of the U.S. military.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.: A world-famous boxer who has resided in Las Vegas for much of his career.

Morgan Freeman: The acclaimed actor has a history of military service, having joined the U.S. Air Force after graduating from high school.

Elvis Presley: The “King of Rock and Roll” was a soldier in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960, and spent part of his time stationed in Germany.

Johnny Cash: A musician and songwriter, Cash served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950 to 1954.

Jimi Hendrix: A legendary guitarist, Hendrix enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1961 but was discharged a year later due to an injury.

Clint Eastwood: The actor and filmmaker served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

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