MANTEO, N.C. (January 27, 2025): The Van of Valor is scheduled to depart the Outer Banks March 13, 2025, and begin its more than 15,000-mile journey throughout the continental U.S., to bring forward the stories of American war heroes from World War II to present.
After capturing the stories of two of Dare County’s living Purple Heart recipients, the Van of Valor project will soon depart toward Southport, N.C., and Myrtle Beach, S.C., with a keen focus on Summerville, S.C., where, according to the 2022 Military of the Purple Heart Member Directory, 27 Purple Heart recipients call home.
The Van of Valor idea was dreamed up by Lauren and Kevin Wallace during an art event they were hosting for wounded veterans, first responders and Gold Star Families in Dayton, Ohio. Lauren, a cultural anthropologist, and Kevin, a Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Valor recipient with a background in photography, journalism and communication, make a dynamic team.
It’s lucky they do, as they will be trading in their keys to a picturesque condo on the Outer Banks to a self-converted FedEx fleet van with over 300,000 miles on the odometer, and a plethora of other issues. Still, the Wallaces are certain they will complete their mission, and they’ve already overcome their first challenge.
“The highest form of honor is to remember,” Lauren said after taking steps locally to ensure future generations honor their county’s fallen and wounded. . In September 2024, Lauren proclaimed Roanoke Island America's first Purple Heart Island. Her proclamation was unanimously ratified by the Dare County commissioners, and plans are now in place for signage, and a commemorative plaque is scheduled to be placed in downtown Manteo.
The Van of Valor project will begin publishing the stories of heroism and sacrifice through the first-hand accounts of Purple Heart recipients from all eras, military branches and walks of life. The lives of the fallen will be immortalized through the memories and the sacrifices of those left behind, through the stories of Gold Star spouses, parents and children.
The newlyweds committed themselves, along with their 10-year-old dachshund Sunny, to moving onto the road full-time until either they can tell the story of at least 100 Purple Heart recipients and Gold Star families, or until the van dies, and they run out of money.
“I think this mission is as important to Kevin as it is to so many of these other heroes; telling the stories of heroism and sacrifice gives him purpose. When I think of this journey together, I think he will move from combat to campgrounds,” said Lauren. “I believe this is us giving all we can. This is our quest to keep the legacy of the brave alive.”
Kevin agreed, adding:
“The battlefields for me is making sure these people are not forgotten, and that they’re honored and remembered, and hopefully immortalized through our work,” he said. “My final job in the military was to tell the story of the warfighter, not the other way around. This is our quest to honor America’s bravest and their families. It’s an honor.”
The Van of Valor project will continue to keep you up to date with heroic anecdotes as well as their progress through periodic emails. You can also follow the Van of Valor at www.VanOfValor.com, and through their Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube accounts.
God bless you both!! Your work is so important!