Van of Valor co-founders Kevin and Lauren Wallace first appeared on American Warrior Radio just before they undertook a cross-country odyssey to collect the stories of 100 Purple Heart recipients and Gold Star families. They make a return appearance after traveling 27,000 miles though 48 states over 280 days. They recorded 317 stories for inclusion in their book “Van of Valor: a 27,000 Mile Journey Through American Sacrifice.”
Kevin was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Valor during his service as an Air Force combat photographer. Kevin and Lauren were walking their dog when he noticed a vehicle with Purple Heart plates and a Vietnam service ribbon. Kevin left a note under the windshield wiper that said “Sir or Ma’am, different war, but a brother who maybe gets it. If you ever need to talk, call me.” That Veteran DID call and ended up being the first story on their book.
Their used FedX van with 300,000 miles on the odometer didn’t always cooperate. Sometimes when the van broke down, they would rent a car and make day trips to surrounding appointments to record their stories. Eventually they were able to limp the van home to Florida from Billings, Montana. They both share how this journey, with all its trials and tribulations, strengthened their own marriage.
They share a couple of stories where their interaction provided a precious gift to others. One involved a bartender who never knew how much of a hero her grandfather was. The other was a Vietnam combat Veteran who carried a burden of guilt for over fifty years thinking he had shot his own soldier. Through the Van of Valor interview, he would learn that the soldier went on to have a very productive and long life.
Their labor of love racked up nearly $100,000 in debt. If you would like to help Kevin and Lauren recoup some of the costs of making this journey and recording these important stories please visit helpvov.com
TAKEAWAY: “I feel the weight of the medal in my hand. It’s a weight I share with over 1.8 million service members throughout history. But on the road with the Van of Valor, I’ve learned that this weight isn’t just in the metal of the medal itself. It’s in the stories that each one represents—stories of a single, life-altering moment, and the long road that follows.”
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