Dr. Kevin Wallace
Van of Valor
ROSWELL, N.M. — The Van of Valor, a rolling tribute to service and sacrifice, embarked on an ambitious pilgrimage across the diverse and dramatic landscape of southern New Mexico, connecting the dots between America’s frontier of innovation, its borders of security, and the guardians who stand watch over both.
The day began with the sunrise in Truth or Consequence, a town named for a radio game show but steeped in the sober reality of hot springs and history. The Van of Valor team also had an interview in ToC. From there, the van’s journey traced a path through what felt like different layers of the American experience.
The first stop was the future-facing silhouette of Spaceport America.
Rising from the high desert, the facility represented a leap into the cosmos — a testament to human ambition and exploration. The stark, modern architecture against the ancient desert floor set a tone of boundless possibility, a fitting starting point for a mission dedicated to those who defend the nation’s dreams.
Sadly, we were turned away from Spaceport America, as, “we had no business [there].” We left a stack of literature at their gatehouse regardless.
On the road again, we saw the road quickly turn from the horizon of space to the hard line of earth.
The team pressed on to El Paso, where the abstract national debates over immigration and security materialize into a towering steel border wall.
The visit provided a moment of stark contrast and reflection, underscoring the complex, ground-level challenges of national sovereignty.
From the border, the Van of Valor carried its message of support to the heart of American military presence in the region: Fort Bliss, Texas.
One of the Army’s largest installations, Fort Bliss is home to the servicemen and women who form the backbone of the nation’s defense. Here, the team engaged with the community, sharing the Van of Valor’s mission to honor military service and foster a deeper connection between civilians and those in uniform.
The journey then embraced the surreal beauty of the Tularosa Basin at White Sands National Park. The vast, gypsum dune field, with its brilliant white waves, offered a moment of serene, almost otherworldly tranquility—a quiet interlude between the bustling military hubs.
That interlude gave way to the roar of jets as the van arrived at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.
Home to the 49th Wing and its fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons, Holloman is where airpower comes to life. For the second time in a single day, the team promoted its mission on an active military installation, expressing gratitude and reinforcing the bond of community support for the airmen and their families.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the Van of Valor pushed north, ending its marathon day under the iconic, kitsch-filled skies of Roswell.
Known for its own unique place in American lore, the city provided a whimsical and fitting bookend to a day that began with a spaceport.
In Roswell, where curiosity about the unknown is a local industry, the van found a welcoming berth for its message of honoring those who explore and defend the final frontier.
The Van of Valor’s trek was more than just a long drive; it was a narrative woven from the threads of innovation, security, and natural wonder that define the American Southwest.
In one day, it visited the places that ask “what if?” and the places that answer “we stand ready,” proving that its mission to honor valor is as vast and varied as the land itself.
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About the Van of Valor: The Van of Valor is a mobile initiative dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Through community engagement and public outreach, the mission aims to bridge the gap between civilian life and military service, fostering a national conversation of appreciation and support. To learn more, visit www.HelpVoV.com
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