Van of Valor

From the Heart of History By Dr. Kevin WallaceVan of Valor NORTH PORT, Fla. – The humid Florida air hangs heavy today, not just with heat, but with the weight of a nation’s recurring grief.  Here, in our new permanent home in North Port, the Van of Valor rests in our rental unit’s driveway, a… Read more: Sacred Duty Continues in North Port

How HomeFront SitRep Composed the Anthem for the Van of Valor Commentary by Dr. Kevin WallaceVan of Valor NORTH PORT, Fla. – In March of this year, the nomadic headquarters of the Van of Valor was a camp ground on a military base in Fort Walton Beach.  It was there, on a dodgy Starlink signal,… Read more: Gifted a Song for the Journey

Commentary by Dr. Kevin WallaceVan of Valor PORTLAND, Ore. – I’ve measured the weight of history on different scales. Downrange it was measured in pounds — the heft of body armor at dawn patrol, the weight of 13 loaded magazines, medical gear, food, water, camera gear, grenades, back-up gear and probably a bandolier or two… Read more: The Weight of a Name, The Length of a Nation

By Dr. Kevin WallaceVan of Valor  WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. — In a solemn ceremony merely a few months before the Van of Valor arrived in Vermont, three National Guardsmen were honored with Purple Heart Medals. The Van of Valor team, having broken down in Boston, had to arrange a rental car and missed the… Read more: CARRYING THE WEIGHT OF VALOR ON VERMONT’S TRAILS

Special Commentary By Dr. Kevin WallaceVan of Valor NORTH PORT, Fla. – I used to be on a pretty strong speaking circuit, talking about suicide and resiliency.  You walk into a room to talk about survival, carrying the weight of your own story.  You speak about the invisible shrapnel, the dark trenches of the mind,… Read more: WHEN ONE SURVIVOR MEETS ANOTHER

Tomorrow, we share our story with North Port media, but TONIGHT, we share this first look with you—our community. In 280 days, this mission has grown from 300 to over 81,000 followers. This growth isn’t about us; it’s about you. You’ve joined this journey not through family ties or old friendships, but because you carry a… Read more: For the Community: Unveiling the Van of Valor (North Port Media Feature)

Dr. Kevin WallaceVan of Valor KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – In every veteran’s story, there is a moment when character is forged, often long before the uniform is ever worn.  For Army Capt. Ross Pixler, that moment came not in the deserts of Iraq, but on the icy slopes of Pico de Orizaba, the third-tallest mountain in… Read more: From Mountain Rescue to Combat Leadership, the Unbroken Spirit

Van of Valor FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – On a clear December day in 2015, Staff Sergeant Flavio A. Martinez’s patrol was exfiltrating a routine mission near Bagram Airfield.  Suddenly, a Taliban operative on a motorcycle wove into the formation’s heart and stopped 20 feet behind Martinez.  The world erupted.  The suicide bomber’s blast killed… Read more: Into the Kill Zone: An Airman’s Story of Loss and Duty

Van of Valor FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – After 280 consecutive days on the road and over 27,000 miles logged on their odometer, Dr. Kevin and Lauren Wallace, co-founders of the Van of Valor, have learned that the most profound stories are often found off the beaten path.  One stop in Wyoming brought them to… Read more: Vietnam Soldier reflects on booby trap IED

By Dr. Kevin WallaceVan of Valor SAINT LOUIS, Mo. – In the dense, triple-canopy jungles of Vietnam, where the enemy was a ghost and the terrain an impassable wall, the U.S. Army needed a new way to fight.  The answer soared above the treetops in a whirlwind of rotor blades and a storm of fire.… Read more: The Eyes of the Ninth: How B Troop’s Hunter Kill Teams Mastered the Skies of Vietnam

A Purple Heart recipient and a Harvard anthropologist drove 27,000 miles to collect stories of sacrifice. Their van is retiring, but their mission to heal a nation is just beginning. NORTH PORT, Fla. – The engine hums with the memory of 27,106 miles traveled since the Van of Valor mission began on the Outer Banks… Read more: Van of Valor to complete journey in North Port

By Dr. Kevin WallaceVan of Valor PALM BAY, Fla. – The memory of Army Spc. Donald “Scott” Morrison lives on in the quiet, determined voices of his parents, Don and Kelly Morrison.  In their Florida home, surrounded by mementos of a life cut short, they shared his story not of his death, but of his… Read more: A Gold Star Family’s Quest to Keep Their Scott’s Name Alive

In the dense, triple-canopy jungles of Vietnam, where the enemy was a ghost and the terrain an impassable wall, the U.S. Army needed a new way to fight.  The answer soared above the treetops in a whirlwind of rotor blades and a storm of fire. This was the aerial reconnaissance unit of the 1st Squadron,… Read more: Hunter Killer series coming soon

Disclaimer: The upcoming anecdote contains uncensored language that is authentically and hilariously unfiltered. Viewer discretion is advised. Dr. Kevin WallaceVan of Valor FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — In the dust and isolation of a forward operating base in Kandahar, an unexpected friendship formed between a team of U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers and a British royal.  Harold,… Read more: A Royal in Kandahar: Special Forces Medic Recalls Unlikely Camaraderie with Prince Harry

Special Commentary by Dr. Kevin Wallace (Van of Valor) SUMMERVILLE, S.C. – In a powerful commentary from the “Van of Valor,” host Dr. Kevin Wallace revisits the harrowing and heroic story of Sgt. Ocie Gay, a soldier whose defining moment on a Baghdad checkpoint led to a lifetime of service as a chaplain. The segment,… Read more: From the Battlefield to the Pulpit: Van of Valor Recounts the Resilience of SGT Ocie Gay

NORTH PORT, Fla. – In an unprecedented pilgrimage, the Van of Valor is scheduled to connect the entire CONUS Purple Heart Trail in North Florida, December 2, 2025, before being retired to North Port later in the month. To date, that will be the first time the trail was ever attempted to be driven seamlessly.… Read more: Van of Valor connects Nation’s ‘Purple Heart Trail,’ records valor stories across CONUS

Their toughest battle began after the war. 😔➡️💪 Two Airmen. A shared mission. An unbreakable bond. Discover the story of resilience and recovery. #ForgedInFire http://www.HelpVoV.com

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.

Some bonds aren’t made in peace. They’re forged in fire. 🔥 This is the story of two warriors, a friendship that saved a life, and a mission that continues long after the battlefield. Tune in at http://www.HelpVoV.com or any of our @VanOfValor socials on Dec. 1, for a one-in-a-kind story! You will meet a special… Read more: Mind-blown this Dec. 1

Dr. Kevin WallaceVan of Valor BRISTOL, Tenn. – The hum of the tires on the asphalt was a constant companion for the Van of Valor as it cruised through the heart of Alabama, a state steeped in both military history and a profound respect for those who serve.  Our mission was to connect with the… Read more: The Van of Valor: A Journey of Remembrance from Alabama to the Highlands

Dr. Kevin WallaceVan of Valor NEW ORLEANS – This Thanksgiving, our table is a rental, and the view from our window is of a busy, unfamiliar street.  The chairs are hotel perfect.  This year, Lauren and I are spending this holiday far from the bustling gatherings of families or friends. The silence in this apartment… Read more: A Thanksgiving of Empty Chairs and Full Hearts

A raw, unfiltered dialogue between two vets who served in the same deadly Afghan valleys. They unpack the absurdity, the trauma, and their new missions in forging knives and fostering healing.

There’s a bond forged in places most will never see. In the dust, the chaos, and the deafening silence that follows. This is not a story of glory. It’s a story of shared ground. It’s in the taste of ice cream, paid for in lead on the way back. It’s in the laugh at a… Read more: Waterman story Part 4, here, tomorrow

Dr. Kevin WallaceVan of Valor ST. LOUIS – Bring them all home. For decades, that promise has fueled a relentless quest, evolving from a personal pilgrimage into the core mission of the non-profit organization, Tours of Duty, founded by Amanda Rutledge. To assist, Gold Star family member Linda Moreau enlists the help of dedicated veterans.… Read more: A Daughter’s Lifelong Mission to Bring Heroes Home

Dr. Kevin WallaceVan of Valor PUEBLO, Colo. – For weeks, the mission had a different rhythm. We conquered the soaring peaks of Colorado and the painted deserts of Utah in a rental car.  We carried the message through the neon blaze of Nevada, the deep canyons of Arizona, and the high deserts of New Mexico. … Read more: Return of ‘Van’ to Valor

Dr. Kevin P. WallaceVan of Valor Van of Valor Blog | Part 3 of 3 TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCE, N.M. – In our previous journey together, we moved from the official meaning of the Purple Heart to the personal stories that give it its true weight.  We met the individuals behind the medals—their laughter, their loves,… Read more: The Living Legacy: Carrying the Weight Forward

Dr. Kevin P. WallaceVan of Valor  Van of Valor Blog | Part 2 of 3 TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCE, N.M. – In our first installment, “The Weight of the Heart,” we explored the profound meaning behind the Purple Heart—a meaning that extends far beyond the official description of the medal.  We spoke of its true weight,… Read more: The Names Behind the Valor: Stories from the Roll of Honor

Dr. Kevin P. WallaceVan of Valor  Van of Valor Blog | Part 1 of 3 TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCE, N.M. – A recent article from the official sources laid out the facts: the Purple Heart is the nation’s oldest military award, established by General George Washington himself. It’s a badge of honor, a medal of sacrifice,… Read more: The Weight of the Heart: Beyond the Badge of Sacrifice

“You always fall back on training.” For Sgt. Thomas Waterman, that training now fuels a forge. Discover how this combat veteran traded his M-14 for a making hammer, finding a powerful path to healing by crafting custom knives. His story of transitioning from the dust of Afghanistan to the sparks of the studio is a must-read. From the Battlefield to the Forge: http://www.HelpVoV.com

There’s a bond forged in places most will never see. In the dust, the chaos, and the deafening silence that follows. This is not a story of glory. It’s a story of shared ground. It’s in the taste of ice cream, paid for in lead on the way back. It’s in the laugh at a… Read more: Waterman story Part 3, here, tomorrow

A Bridge Between Wars: A Chance Meeting on the Grand Canyon Railway

By Dr. Kevin P. WallaceVan of Valor cofounder Van of Valor Blog | Part 1 of 3 TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCE, N.M. – A recent article from the official sources laid out the facts: the Purple Heart is the nation’s oldest military award, established by General George Washington himself. It’s a badge of honor, a medal… Read more: The Weight of the Heart: Beyond the Badge of Sacrifice

By Dr. Kevin P. WallaceVan of Valor cofounder Note: also a Purple Heart recipient, and Bronze Star with Valor recipient TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, N.M. – I was here, in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, this Veteran’s Day, leaning against the side of the Van of Valor’s rented substitute.  The sun was warm on the metal,… Read more: More Than a Free Cup of Coffee: A Veteran’s Day Understanding

Van of Valor The “Van of Valor” doesn’t just traverse highways; it navigates the intricate geography of American memory, where every mile is a promise and every interview a sacred trust.  After the emotionally weighty task of honoring Sgt. Kennedy Sanders in Waycross, Georgia, co-founders Lauren and Dr. Kevin Wallace steered their mission into Florida,… Read more: Van of Valor Carries the Sacred Trust of Memory Through Florida

CW2 Bob Zahn’s story is one part of a great series featuring Zahn again, and a handful of other amazing Officers and Riflemen. You’ll learn so much. However, preceding will be a general story revealing the build of the famed Hunter Killer teams, from the Whites, to the Reds, to the Blues, and maybe even… Read more: Hunter Killer series coming soon – here

A year after their shared ordeal in Afghanistan’s deadliest corridor, two Purple Heart recipients sit down. One on the Van of Valor mission, listens as the other, a warrior turned artist, recounts how he forged a new mission from the trauma of war. By Dr. Kevin WallaceVan of Valor BRISTOL, Tenn. – The interview doesn’t… Read more: From the Ashes of Bala Baluk: A Soldier’s Journey Through Combat and Healing

Dr. Kevin P. WallaceVan of Valor Van of Valor Blog | Part 1 of 3 TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCE, N.M. – A recent article from the official sources laid out the facts: the Purple Heart is the nation’s oldest military award, established by General George Washington himself. It’s a badge of honor, a medal of sacrifice,… Read more: The Weight of the Heart: Beyond the Badge of Sacrifice

This Veterans Day, we honor every veteran. Discover a powerful message about why every service member’s contribution matters and how a simple “thank you” represents our nation’s collective gratitude.

There’s a bond forged in places most will never see. In the dust, the chaos, and the deafening silence that follows. This is not a story of glory. It’s a story of shared ground. It’s in the taste of ice cream, paid for in lead on the way back. It’s in the laugh at a… Read more: Waterman story Part 2, here, tomorrow

To our Van of Valor family, We come to you today not just as relayers of Valor, but as two people forever changed by the stories we are entrusted to tell.  We sit in the presence of giants, and in the quiet moments after the cameras stop rolling, we are often left in a state… Read more: A Message from the Heart: The Van of Valor Team to Our Followers, Families, and Friends

The Van of Valor project is adding all 19 names of the Airmen killed in the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing to their mobile memorial. Learn how this Purple Heart initiative preserves legacies of sacrifice and how you can support their mission.

“I Was a Killing Machine at 21”: A Vietnam Vet’s Raw Speech on War and Recovery. In a moving St. Louis speech, former Army pilot Bob Zahn recounted his harrowing combat experiences and shared how he found a path to healing decades later. Read his inspiring story.

Air Force veteran Dr. Kevin Wallace reflects on Navajo Marine Sgt. Alecsaiah Tree, wounded in the Kabul airport bombing. Explore his Purple Heart ceremony, his powerful words, and his deep connection to the legacy of the Navajo Code Talkers.

Lauren WallaceVan of Valor LAS VEGAS – In the terrifying, relentless crackle of gunfire, the training doesn’t fade, it takes over.  This was tested Oct. 1, 2017, when a gunman open-fired on crowds at the Route 91 Harvest Festival. While thousands of civilians at the festival froze in panic, a different instinct awakened in a… Read more: When Chaos Rained Down, Panic Set In; Yet, Not These Veterans

Lauren WallaceVan 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… Read more: IED Survivor provides shelter for homeless veterans, Nellis Airmen with PTS

Dr. Kevin WallaceVan of Valor MOAB, Utah – Get ready for a powerful and raw journey into the life of a modern American hero.  In an upcoming three-part video series, we sit down with Retired Sergeant Thomas Waterman, a man whose story is as intense and finely crafted as the knives he now forges. This… Read more: The Thomas Waterman Series: From the Battlefield to the Bladesmith

By Dr. Kevin WallaceVan of Valor FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – The story of retired Senior Master Sergeant Gus Sininger’s military career began not with a grand patriotic vision, but with a movie and a draft notice. “We come out of the movie, and across the street was a recruiting office,” Sininger recalled in an… Read more: From a Movie Theater to a Gunship: The Resilient Legacy of Purple Heart Recipient Gus Sininger

This is one of the most powerful stories of sacrifice and survival you will ever read. 🫡 In 2007, Soldier Joel Tavera was days from coming home when a rocket attack in Iraq changed everything. He was burned over 65% of his body, lost his sight, suffered a TBI, and became an amputee. Yet, his… Read more: Beyond the Scars: A Soldier’s Sacrifice and a Quest to Preserve Legacy

By Dr. Kevin WallaceVan of Valor PALM BAY, Fla. – The memory of Army Spc. Donald “Scott” Morrison lives on in the quiet, determined voices of his parents, Don and Kelly Morrison.  In their Florida home, surrounded by mementos of a life cut short, they shared his story not of his death, but of his… Read more: Beyond the Knock on the Door: A Gold Star Family’s Quest to Keep Their Son’s Name Alive

Commentary by Dr. Kevin WallaceVan of Valor MIAMISBURG, OH – The familiar, sharp ache in my neck was my constant companion, a stubborn relic of years spent under the weight of body armor and the stress of service.  It’s a feeling thousands of my brothers and sisters in arms know all too well.  So, when… Read more: A Veteran’s Firsthand Look at the Mission Healing Our Heroes

This place makes you stop and think. About a higher power. About life. It got me thinking about a soldier named Floyd Stapp. After two years of brutal captivity and torture in Korea, he came home hating everything he once loved. But he found his way to the 22. I don’t know if this could… Read more: Reflection on Trauma and Hope

“This isn’t just a war story. This is a story of a promise made in Puerto Rico and kept in the face of unimaginable sacrifice. 💜 Meet Sgt. Ingrid English, U.S. Marine, Purple Heart recipient, and a self-described “badass with a beautiful soul.” Her journey will give you chills: ▶️ Inspired by her grandfather’s Army photo. ⚓ Talked OUT of the Army by her aunt and into the Marines… because of the uniform. (“If I’m going to look badass, I’m going to look badass in a uniform.”) ✈️ Was in Okinawa on 9/11, a day that changed everything. 💔 Endured multiple combat deployments, separated from her young daughter. 💪 Was wounded in Afghanistan, earning the Purple Heart. 👩‍👧 Now, her daughter is a Marine, building on her legacy. Her story, and so many others, are being saved from fading memory by the incredible Van of Valor project. This is why their mission matters. Read the full, incredible story of promise, sacrifice, and resilience. You won’t forget it. Link in Bio or Read More: http://www.HelpVoV.com

Purple Heart recipient Dr. Kevin Wallace shares a moving letter from the Gold Star family of Vietnam pilot Lt. Dennis Peek, affirming the mission of Van of Valor to preserve the true, human stories of our heroes.

By Dr. Kevin Wallace Van of Valor SUMMIT COUNTY, Colo. – The thin, high-altitude air of the Rocky Mountains carries memories.  In the bustling towns of Frisco and Breckenridge, amid the hum of ski lifts and the chatter of tourists, the echoes of service and sacrifice remain, etched into the very landscape.  This week, the… Read more: Van of Valor team rolls through Summit County, Honors local sacrifice

🚨 VAN DOWN! 🚨 But the mission never stops. When the Van of Valor needs a rest, we roll up in a rental truck to get the story! 📦💨 Nothing—not even a mechanical hiccup—can keep us from working in ABSOLUTE PARADISE today. Just look at this office view in Dillon, Colorado! 🏔️ Moral of the… Read more: Passion is portable. Let’s go!

By Van of Valor MIDDLESBURG, FL – For Kevin and Lauren Wallace, the mission of the Van of Valor is to chase down history before it slips away.  Traveling the country in their renovated van, they seek out Purple Heart recipients and Gold Star families, ensuring that the stories of sacrifice and service are not… Read more: An Unplanned Hero: Van of Valor Captures the Raw Story of a Two-Time Purple Heart Marine

Anthropologist’s Crusade to Reclaim America’s Founding Ideals Special Feature (Van of Valor) COLORADO SPRINGS, Co. – Lauren Wallace, a Harvard historian and co-founder of the “Van of Valor,” channels the sacred stories of veterans and Gold Star families into a powerful warning against modern ideological threats. In a time of deep political division, Wallace’s message… Read more: The Price and the Principle: 

A Granddaughter’s Quest to Heal a War Hero’s Legacy By Dr. Kevin P. WallaceVan of Valor BILLINGS, Mont. — For Shania Stapp, her grandfather was a ghost in the family history; a name spoken with a mixture of pride and profound sorrow.  Private First Class Floyd Stapp, a hero of the Korean War, killed himself… Read more: Long Road Home

Commentary by Dr. Kevin WallaceVan of Valor SLATER, Wyo. – If you’ve followed our journey for long, you know the Van of Valor has seen its share of roadside naps. But this time, it’s not a mechanical gremlin or a flat tire that has us pulled over on the lonely stretch of I-25 between Casper… Read more: Hunkered Down on I-25: The Saga Continues

By Lauren WallaceVan of Valor CASPER, Who. – Here at Van of Valor, our journey to honor the fallen is built on a sacred promise: to ensure that every sacrifice is remembered.  While our mission drives us forward on the highways, it’s the heartwarming discovery of fellow patriots on the same path that reminds us… Read more: Spot a Patriot Shout-Out: The Washington State Freedom Runner 

By Dr. Kevin P. WallaceVan of Valor VIRGINIA CITY, NV – The high desert of Nevada, with its vast, silent landscapes and history forged in silver and grit, has long been a cradle of American resilience.  For Lauren Wallace and the Van of Valor, this region is not just a point on a map, but… Read more: Bearing Witness to the Fallen of the Sierra Frontier

“It reframes his struggle from vague ‘demons’ to the specific, severe trauma of prolonged captivity,” said the Harvard graduate student. “He wasn’t just troubled; he was carrying the immense weight of a brutal, state-sponsored effort to break him.” Wallace continued, “By uncovering this, we’re helping his family see his strength in a new light. Surviving… Read more: A sneak pre-read of a story that will be released very soon about a Korean War POW

VIRGINIA CITY, Nevada – The Purple Heart is a medal unlike any other. It is not sought, but bestowed; a small, enameled badge of courage paid for with blood and trauma.  For U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Blanca Taylor, that price came due on a dusty Iraqi road on New Year’s Day, 2005 — a… Read more: A SOLDIER’S SACRIFICE, A NATION’S PROMISE TO REMEMBER

Greetings from the road! The Van of Valor mission is in full swing, and the stories we’re collecting are nothing short of inspiring. Here’s the latest from this incredible journey to preserve the legacies of our heroes. We’re On the Move! Our trusty rental-car-stand-in has successfully crisscrossed the Pacific Northwest, and we’re now pushing forward… Read more: The Journey Continues! An Inside Look at the Van of Valor’s Next Chapter

Reflections of Col. Bates’ 5 decades of service as a Marine by Dr. Kevin P. WallaceCo-Founder, Van of Valor MIAMISBURG, Ohio – As a Purple Heart recipient myself, I know that the stories of our combat-wounded veterans are not just history; they are the bedrock of our nation’s character.  At Van of Valor, our mission… Read more: Reflections of Col. Bates’ 5 decades of service as a Marine

CAMBRIDGE, MA – The American landscape rolls by the windshield of a specially converted van, its exterior adorned with a simple, powerful name: the “Van of Valor.”  For its drivers, Dr. Kevin Wallace and his wife, Lauren Wallace, this vehicle is more than transportation; it is a mobile archive, a recording studio, and a vessel… Read more: The Van of Valor Carries the Story of CW3 Nathaniel Loomis

SWAN VALLEY, Idaho – For over half a century, the memory was a fragmented, painful ghost. For Lance Cpl. Bill Klobas, the date April 26, 1969, was less a specific event and more a source of a lifelong, invisible storm. It was the day a 155 mm artillery round—friendly fire—hurled him 40 feet through the… Read more: A Quest for Closure: Van of Valor Preserves a Story Five Decades in the Making

BLACKFOOT, Idaho – In an era of fleeting headlines and 24-hour news cycles, some stories risk fading from the collective memory.  But on highways and backroads across America, a converted van is on a mission to be a rolling archive of remembrance.  Its occupants are not typical tourists; they are collectors of courage, preservers of… Read more: The Van of Valor: A Cross-Country Quest to Ensure No Sacrifice is Forgotten

We have some tough news to share with you all, our incredible family who has supported this mission from the beginning. Our beloved Van of Valor, which has been our home and our heartbeat on the road, has broken down. The repairs needed are more than the van is worth, and we will soon have… Read more: A Bittersweet Update on Our Van of Valor Family

CODY, WY – The American West has always been a landscape of journeys. For centuries, the path through the Shoshone River valley has carried trappers, traders, pioneers, and legends. This week, a new kind of pioneer wagon rests in a local repair shop — not a canvas-topped Conestoga, but a behemoth of a van named… Read more: The Town that Breeds the Brave

Join us today with Bob Sanders, a Marine Infantryman from the Vietnam war, and author of, “Stories I Never Told Before.” His book is a raw, candid, and deeply personal memoir by Sanders. The book’s title reflects its core purpose: to finally unburden himself of the powerful memories, traumas, and moral conflicts he carried in… Read more: Interview with Vietnam-war Marine Infantryman, author, Bob Saunders

Dr. Kevin P. Wallace Van of Valor ST. LOUIS, Mo. —  The firebase was raw, like a dripping claret wound sliced into the jungle’s green flesh. Perched on a low hill, it was a precarious circle of order in a land of chaos. Defined by its earthen berms, tangled concertina wire, and sandbagged bunkers, it… Read more: THE WALK:  40 days to POW – The untold story

My heart is in my throat as I write this. Our beloved van, our “Van of Valor,” has given us everything she has. She’s carried us on missions of mercy, been a shelter in storms, and a vessel of hope. She’s a wheeled memorial of so many names already. But now, she’s broken down. Again.… Read more: An Urgent Plea to Save Our Van of Valor – She’s Dying and We Need a Miracle

Brothers and Sisters, I’ve walked through the shadowed places of the spirit. Like you, I’ve seen the scars that aren’t visible to the eye, the ones left by an enemy you can no longer deal with, or the bystanders, the real victims of war. If you’re having a difficult time now, these are not signs… Read more: Your Scars Aren’t Weakness; They’re Seeds of Your Redemption.

BARTELSO, IL — The silence inside the Standin’ Proud Veterans Tribute museum is a stark contrast to the roar of the jet engines that once defined the life of Marine 1st Lt. Dennis Peek.  Amid the artifacts and echoes of service, a different kind of mission was underway — one of remembrance. The Van of… Read more: A Brother’s Promise and a Community’s Enduring Tribute

The number is stark: 101 CODY, WY – September 28, 2025 –  It’s a figure that, for most, appeared as a headline after October 2006—a statistic marking a tragic month in Iraq.  For 101 families, the month was life altering. “For the world, it was a tally. For us, it was a tombstone laid over… Read more: BEYOND THE NUMBER:  Honoring the 101

CODY, Wyoming – September 27, 2025 – There is a particular magic to the American West, a promise written in the contours of a map that can only be fulfilled by traversing them.  For the Van of Valor team, it was a trip to try to drum up mission support in Cody.  “I’m told the… Read more: A Trial of Beauty: The Van of Valor Conquers the Bighorns

Dr. Kevin P. Wallace Van of Valor WAYCROSS, Ga. – March 28, 2025 – The journey of the Van of Valor is not about miles, but about memory. This week, the inspirational Van of Valor, dedicated to fallen U.S. service members, arrived in Waycross, Georgia, on a solemn mission: to walk in the footsteps of… Read more: Van of Valor Pilgrimage Honors Fallen Hero SGT Kennedy Sanders in Her Hometown of Waycross

CAMBRIDGE, England —  Grasping a fist full of pound sterling, 87-year-old James Pinkerton hailed a taxi outside London Heathrow Airport, insisting the driver bring him directly to the Cambridge American Cemetery by the quickest and most-direct route. It had been more than 50 years since Pinkerton, a Purple-Heart veteran, executed orders and undertook missions supporting… Read more: James Pinkerton’s final mission

The battlefield is a dangerous place, and Soldiers fighting there know that each engagement could be their last. When flames of combat swell into an inferno, Soldiers often rely on close-air support to overwhelm the enemy, or sometimes, to merely survive. Tactical Air Control Party Airmen control CAS, advise battle commanders, and are often that… Read more: TAC-Ps help rain hell in Bala Murghab

Starting like most other days, Harry awoke to snow falling upon the makeshift buildings at his combat outpost, high in the mountains above the Tagab Valley in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan. It was an utterly serene December morning, said then “Harry” (identity removed), an Air Force Combat Controller (CCT). But, that was all about to change.… Read more: Combat Controller Recalls Brutal Afghan Battles

Co-Founder Lauren Makes Proclamation View the full video above. VIEW MORE HERE: http://www.HelpVoV.com

“Corpsman up!” rang out like a shotgun in his ears. The 7-ton truck he was riding in just crashed back down after being thrown 5 feet into the air after hitting an improvised explosive device while on convoy in eastern Afghanistan. The smoke and dirt hadn’t yet settled, and former Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Shawn… Read more: Corpsman up! So Marines may live

It’s day two of this deployment, and I awoke rested and ready to go … and that I did. To me, the Kabul city streets looked the same as they did during my previous deployment to Afghanistan. It was my first full day at work, and the task was to command a gun truck, and… Read more: Back on that ‘horse’

With clenched fists and a heart full of anger, I read a breaking Associated Press story today about a woman I worked closely with on a humanitarian initiative a few months back, a doctor senselessly gunned down by terrorist insurgents. The attack happened after her team provided previously-unavailable eye treatment and other health care in… Read more: Dr. Woo’s legacy of hope lives on

When my 3-year-old asked me why I was going to the desert in the earl 200s, my reply was simple. I said, “Daddy has to go feed the camels,” and that was enough to sustain his curiosity. My 7 and 8-year-olds didn’t buy it. Despite their doubt and his bewilderment, I went forth and tried… Read more: Feeding camels is tiresome, yet important task

SAVANNAH, GA – In a quiet Savannah neighborhood, the home of Francine and Percell Moffett stands as a testament to both profound loss and unwavering patriotism. It is a place where the memory of their daughter, U.S. Army Sgt. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, is kept alive not just in photographs and medals, but in the very… Read more: A Savannah Family’s Sacrifice: Honoring the Life and Legacy of Sgt. Breonna Moffett

With back-scene interview w/ Harvard student SUMMERVILLE, S.C. – The Van of Valor, a mobile journalism project dedicated to preserving the stories of Purple Heart recipients and Gold Star families, recently rolled into South Carolina on its nationwide journey. Co-founder Lauren Wallace, a Harvard History Graduate Student and practicing Anthropologist, alongside her husband, Dr. Kevin… Read more: The Van of Valor Chronicles Stories of Sacrifice in South Carolina 

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. – The moment that defined Ocie Gay’s 23-year Army career lasted less than a second.  It was February 29, 2004, at a security gate leading into Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone. As a Platoon Sergeant with Alpha Company, 2/6 Infantry, Gay was leading “The Wild Bunch,” a platoon implementing new, slower procedures for… Read more: From the Ashes: Summerville Chaplain Finds Calling After Surviving Baghdad Bombing

A Four-Time Purple Heart Recipient’s Definition of True Patriotism CHARLESTON, S.C. —  In an era where patriotism is often distilled to bumper stickers and political slogans, the words of a 71-year-old Army veteran who shed blood for his nation four times over carry a weight forged in sacrifice and shrapnel. The veteran, a Green Beret… Read more: Beyond the Rhetoric: 

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The journey for Lauren and Dr. Kevin Wallace is not measured in miles, but in moments of memory and profound loss. This week, their “Van of Valor” project—a mission to honor fallen U.S. service members—wound its way through the heart of coastal Georgia, tracing a path from personal nostalgia to national tragedy.… Read more: Van of Valor Carries the Weight of Memory and Loss on a Journey Through Georgia

Couple Honors a Forgotten Marine Hero YANKTON SIOUX RESERVATION, S.D. – The journey to the quiet, windswept cemetery in South Dakota began with a simple request: a buddy check on an Iraqi Freedom-era Marine. It ended with a profound act of reverence for a hero most of the world had forgotten. Dr. Kevin P. Wallace… Read more: Mission of Valor Leads to a Final Salute: 

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The journey for Lauren and Dr. Kevin Wallace is not measured in miles, but in moments of memory and profound loss. This week, their “Van of Valor” project—a mission to honor fallen U.S. service members—wound its way through the heart of coastal Georgia, tracing a path from personal nostalgia to national tragedy.… Read more: Van of Valor Carries the Weight of Memory and Loss on a Journey Through Georgia

STANLEY, N.C. – High in the tranquil mountains outside Charlotte, a quiet man sits reflecting on a life of service, shaped by an unshakable sense of duty and faith. Ed Nixon, a Vietnam War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, recently opened his life to the “Van of Valor,” an organization dedicated to honoring and sharing… Read more: A Debt Repaid: A Vietnam Veteran’s Story of Faith, Fortitude; a Battle He Fought Twice

Life of service began on Currituck Sound ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — Anyone who has spent a considerable amount of time in Elizabeth City (EC) must have certainly seen an older man on a rascal scooter, proudly flying an American Flag, Vietnam Service Ribbon Flag, and other veteran memorabilia. However, one must wonder how many have… Read more: PURPLE HEART COASTIE: 

MANTEO, N.C. — For Vietnam veteran Thomas E. Higgins, a Purple Heart is more than a medal—it’s a testament to his service and the decades of health issues caused by Agent Orange. In a recent interview with Dr. Kevin P. Wallace of the Van of Valor, Higgins, 80, recounted being wounded in 1965 and returning… Read more: Agent Orange and a Hostile Homecoming: A Vietnam Veteran’s Story of Sacrifice

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The journey for Lauren and Dr. Kevin Wallace is not measured in miles, but in moments of memory and profound loss. This week, their “Van of Valor” project—a mission to honor fallen U.S. service members—wound its way through the heart of coastal Georgia, tracing a path from personal nostalgia to national tragedy.… Read more: Van of Valor Carries the Weight of Memory and Loss on a Journey Through Georgia