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Van of Valor After proclaiming Roanoke America's first Purple Heart Island, Lauren/Kevin Wallace committed the next chapter of their life to tell the story of sacrifice.

The newlyweds will move onto the road full-time to tell the story of at least 100 heroes. A retired war hero’s family trade in the keys to their condo and old life in picturesque Manteo, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, to the keys to an old FedEx fleet van with just over 300,000 miles on the odometer. After taking action to ensure Roanoke Island, N.C., was named America's first Purple Heart Island in September 2024, Lauren Wright Wallace and her newly wed husband Air Force Senior Master Sgt. (ret) Dr. Kevin Wallace decided to commit the next chapter of their life to fully helping tell the story of sacrifice through social media, media, literature, art, and music. 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 or Gold Star families, or until the van dies, and they run out of money. They have already begun selling their personal belongings to help fund and begin this mission in the Spring of 2025. They can really use any support you can provide!

Wallace, a former Public Affairs Officer for Air Force One under President Barack Obama, continued, “the dashboard looke...
10/12/2026

Wallace, a former Public Affairs Officer for Air Force One under President Barack Obama, continued, “the dashboard looked like its usual constellation of warning lights, but suddenly a tire pressure warning and the empty wiper fluid light popped on too. I remember joking to Lauren, ‘hey, babes, we h

“For the world, it was a tally. For us, it was a tombstone laid over a part of our own souls,” said Dr. Kevin P. Wallace...
10/12/2026

“For the world, it was a tally. For us, it was a tombstone laid over a part of our own souls,” said Dr. Kevin P. Wallace, Van of Valor cofounder and Purple Heart recipient.

“We travel to the communities that raised these heroes because that is where their stories are most vividly preserved.” ...
10/11/2026

“We travel to the communities that raised these heroes because that is where their stories are most vividly preserved.” - Lauren Wallace, Van of Valor Cofounder

Most will never know the impact a life lost has on a grandeur community, but Kennedy's life and death have had tremendous ripples of inspiration. There now exists a 24 under 24 award in her town.

The Van of Valor's pilgrimage took us to Waycross, GA, to honor SGT Kennedy Landon Sanders. We documented the powerful tributes—

Dr. Woo’s legacy of hope lives on
10/11/2026

Dr. Woo’s legacy of hope lives on

British surgeon, Dr. Karen Woo, was one of 10 members of an all-civilian medical team murdered by Taliban insurgents Aug. 7, 2010. (Courtesy photo) With clenched fists and a heart full of anger, I …

Now on presale at Amazon for Kindle and ebooks...https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HMBH3D2SA NOTE FROM THE AUTHORThis weekend,...
10/08/2026

Now on presale at Amazon for Kindle and ebooks...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HMBH3D2S

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

This weekend, a woman in Naha lost her life, and a young U.S. Marine has been arrested in connection with her death. My deepest condolences go to her family and to the people of Okinawa.

I began writing The Marine’s Guide to Gate 2 Street more than ten years ago because of crimes like this, and because I believe they can be prevented. The book speaks directly to the young service members who arrive on Okinawa: about the harm American troops have caused there, about the island’s people and history, and about the respect every guest owes their host. A book cannot deliver justice. My hope is that it helps make sure fewer families ever need it.

— Dr. Kevin Wallace

著者より

今週末、那覇市で一人の女性の尊い命が奪われ、若い米海兵隊員が容疑者として逮捕されました。ご遺族の皆さま、そして沖縄の皆さまに、心からお悔やみを申し上げます。

私が十年以上前に『マリーンズ・ガイド ゲート2ストリートへ』を書き始めたのは、まさにこのような事件があったからです。そして、こうした事件は防ぐことができると信じているからです。

本書は、沖縄に赴任する若い米兵に直接語りかけます。米兵が沖縄にもたらしてきた苦しみについて、島の人びとと歴史について、そして客人として守るべき敬意について。本が正義をもたらすことはできません。それでも、同じ悲しみを抱える家族が一人でも減ることを願って、この本を書きました。

―― ケビン・ウォレス博士

Univ. of the Ryukyus. 琉球大学
Okinawa Questions
Okinawa Lovers
沖縄タイムス
American Warrior Radio
嘉手納 米軍基地
ラグビー日本代表

Midnight reading about TAC-P Airmen are the vital link for close-air support. Embedded with Army units, JTACs & ROMADs c...
10/08/2026

Midnight reading about TAC-P Airmen are the vital link for close-air support. Embedded with Army units, JTACs & ROMADs control airpower to overwhelm the enemy and ensure their brothers-in-arms survive.

The heartbreaking tragedy in Okinawa is exactly why I wrote "The Marine’s Guide to Gate 2 Street" (ABC News report: http...
10/05/2026

The heartbreaking tragedy in Okinawa is exactly why I wrote "The Marine’s Guide to Gate 2 Street" (ABC News report: https://abcnews.com/International/us-marine-detained-connection-death-japan-us-officials/story?id=136982210). This behavior has to stop. We must step past the gates as students of history, not occupiers.
Releasing Nov. 10, 2026, this bilingual book pushes past the neon lights of the barracks to uncover the resilient, ancient heart of the island.
Pre-order the special English/Japanese flip-cover edition today.

NORTH PORT, Florida — Following the recent, tragic death of a local Japanese woman in Naha and the subsequent arrest of a U.S. Marine Lance Corporal on suspicion of murder, questions surrounding th…

NORTH PORT, Florida — Following the recent, tragic death of a local Japanese woman in Naha and the subsequent arrest of ...
10/05/2026

NORTH PORT, Florida — Following the recent, tragic death of a local Japanese woman in Naha and the subsequent arrest of a U.S. Marine Lance Corporal on suspicion of murder, questions surrounding the behavior and cultural integration of U.S. service members stationed in Japan have once again thrust into the international spotlight.

Against the backdrop of this devastating incident, Dr. Kevin P. Wallace—a Purple Heart recipient, combat veteran, and former military photographer—is addressing the systemic divide between the military barracks and local Okinawan communities.

His upcoming bilingual book, The Marine’s Guide to Gate 2 Street, set for release on November 10, 2026, aims to challenge the way service members perceive and interact with the communities hosting them. He began this book more than a decade ago, and it's scheduled release for November 10th comes on the backdrop of yet another tragedy.

New book Nov. 10 🇺🇸🇯🇵 The Marine’s Guide to Gate 2 Street by Van of Valor http://rviv.ly/uBgbka

10/05/2026

Beyond the Neon—Combat Veteran’s New Book Calls for Shift in Military Culture Following Okinawa Through Tragedy Comes Light.

The recent tragic news out of Okinawa is a devastating reminder of why we must fundamentally change how we interact with our host nations. (Read the full news report here: https://abcnews.com/International/us-marine-detained-connection-death-japan-us-officials/story?id=136982210)

This is exactly why I wrote The Marine’s Guide to Gate 2 Street. I started writing this over a decade ago, and finished it about six months back. It is not a matter of trying to capitalize on a tragedy; it’s about addressing the exact cultural divide and behavior that we urgently need to stop.

Our service members need to step past the gates not as occupiers, but as students of history. My upcoming book challenges readers to look beyond the neon glare of the entertainment districts and discover the deep, ancient soul of Okinawa—from the sacred soil of the Ryukyu Kingdom to the timeless melodies of the sanshin.

Pre-order your copy ahead of our November 10, 2026 release. This special volume features a unique bilingual flip-cover design—read the English account, then flip it over to experience the Japanese edition. Let's build a bridge of respect.



Okinawa Lovers
Okinawa Questions
Univ. of the Ryukyus. 琉球大学
Marine Corps Heritage Foundation
American Warrior Radio
Crime Ju**ie Podcast
True Crime News
Law&Crime

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Manteo, ID
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