Van of Valor

04/14/2026

🚨 ONE WEEK UNTIL TAKEOFF! 🚨 🚁✨

What happens when a fighter pilot meets a beauty queen during a time of war? ✈️👑 🌏

In just 7️⃣ days—on April 21st—the wait is finally over! 🙌 L. Wright Wallace’s incredible true story, A Wingman for Miss Universe, officially hits the shelves! 📚💥 This isn't just a book; it’s a heartfelt journey through the Vietnam War era and a connection that spanned 50 years! 🎖️❤️

We’ve logged 27,000 miles in the Van of Valor 🚐💨 to honor stories just like this one—stories of honor, brotherhood, and the legacy of our heroes. 🇺🇸🙏

🔥 Be the first to grab it! Pre-order here: https://a.co/d/07DA4R9t
👇

⏳🎖️

The Breese Journal
North Port Matters
Standin’ Proud Veterans Tribute

Bartelso News and Information
Carl's Four Wheel Drive & Performance Center
Bartelso Veteran’s Recognition

The Miss Universe pageant of 1967, and its lasting echo across five decades, have long faded from the headlines that once blazed with Sylvia Hitchcock's triumph. Fresh histories have eclipsed it, and the relentless march of time has drawn our attention away from this seven-day drama that unfolde...

04/13/2026

You've read the teaser, you're eagerly awaiting this Wednesday for the full story of one of my personal heroes and a truly great American and human being.

Only 2 days to go, Fam. In the meantime, rock out to his music video, made to lyrics Kevin Wallace made with precise detail about McAlpine's story, and set to the great music that came out at the very time our precious sons went abroad to stop the evil spread of communism, and to keep it off our shores. I'm talking music like Creedence Clearwater Revival’s "Fortunate Son," Jimi Hendrix's "All Along the Watchtower," and Buffalo Springfield’s "For What It's Worth", maybe even a bit of Joplin. If you thinik that type of music rocks, then you're going to love this song!!

Please watch it, if for no other reason, to honor one of America's bravest sons., Staff Sgt. (Dr.) Barry McAlpine.

https://youtu.be/BxJyAkteEVY

Upper Midwest Chapter Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association -VHPA
North Carolina Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
1st Cavalry Division
Vietnam War Veterans
Vietnam War Veterans !!!!
Venice Gondolier
North Port Matters

Hunter-Killer Sky(Verse 1)Rotor blades thunder, dust devils riseHuey skims low through the morning skiesM16 pressed tight to my chestGreen hell below, no tim...

04/13/2026

Three times he volunteered for Vietnam. Twice they said no.

Barry McAlpine could have stayed in Germany playing baseball for the Army. Safe. Easy. He said no.

He became Blue 31. A Hunter-Killer. 1/9 Cavalry.

February 27, 1967. Ambush. Squad leader dead. Three men down. McAlpine crawled through enemy fire. Pulled them out one by one. Then went back alone and cleared the enemy from the rocks.

May 27, 1967. A helicopter crashes outside the perimeter. Burning. Trapped crew. McAlpine runs through machine guns. Cuts them free. Carries them home.

Three Purple Hearts. Two Silver Stars. One Bronze Star.

He came home. Became a doctor. Healed Americans for forty years.

Some think men like him are a dying breed.

They are wrong.

America still makes heroes.

🇺🇸 Full story April 15. Follow for more.

04/11/2026

Burned, blinded, and a double amputee, Joel Tavera is one of the Iraq War's most severely wounded survivors. Read his incredible story of survival, faith, and unwavering patriotism, preserved by the Van of Valor project.

https://helpvov.com/2025/11/03/beyond-the-scars-a-soldiers-sacrifice-and-a-quest-to-preserve-legacy/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=jetpack_social

04/10/2026

What happens when a fighter pilot meets a beauty queen during a time of war? 🚁✨

Coming April 21, 2026, "A Wingman for Miss Universe" tells the poignant true story of L. Wright Wallace and a connection that spanned fifty years. Rooted in the sacrifice of the Vietnam War era, this narrative honors the spirit of those who served and the lasting impact of a single encounter.

Don’t miss this extraordinary piece of military history.

📖 Pre-order now:

The Miss Universe pageant of 1967, and its lasting echo across five decades, have long faded from the headlines that once blazed with Sylvia Hitchcock's triumph. Fresh histories have eclipsed it, and the relentless march of time has drawn our attention away from this seven-day drama that unfolde...

04/10/2026

🇺🇸 THE FOOD THAT FUELS THE MISSION! 🥖🇺🇸

There is nothing quite like the smell of fresh sourdough to get the patriotic spirit moving! today we took a little detour in our new hometown North Port to support a local sourdough stand called Sourdough Lane , and let’s just say… the van is smelling like absolute heaven right now! 😋✨

As we get ready to break bread tonight, we can’t help but reminisce about our incredible Northern California leg of the Van of Valor mission last year. 🏔️☀️ Back then, sourdough wasn't just a treat—it was the fuel that kept us going through every powerful veteran interview and every mile of tour mission in the northern-most parts of the Golden State! 🍞💪

We haven't forgotten about the rest of the coast, though! 🌊 Our hearts are still set on finishing what we started. From the streets of San Francisco, down to Monterey and Cayucos, then SLO, L.A. all the way down to San Diego, we have so many more stories of valor waiting to be told. 🎤🇺🇸

We had to postpone those interviews last year due to some stubborn van troubles (the road isn't always easy!), but the mission hasn't changed. We FULLY intend to get back out there, revisit Cali, and honor the heroes we missed! 🚐💨

Tonight, we toast to our veterans, to local community bakers, and to the road ahead! 🥂🇺🇸

🇺🇸🐻🥖✨

What is your favorite local "mission fuel" in your hometown? 🥨☕👇

04/09/2026

Two worlds collided in 1967: A Marine aviator and Miss Universe. 🚀👑

L. Wright Wallace’s "A Wingman for Miss Universe" uncovers an incredible true story of patriotism and heart that remained hidden for five decades. Discover the promise kept across 50 years of history. 📜🦅

Pre-order this moving tribute to Vietnam War heroes today!

🛒 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTK14XSR
📅 Arriving: April 21, 2026

04/08/2026

🔥 MY FREAKIN’ EYEBALLS ARE ON FIRE RN 🔥

Just finished going through our editor’s first round of notes 😵💫📝

How are y’all SO AMAZING?? ✨💀
And WHY is this book SO LONG?! 📖💔

Should’ve just written a 10-page comic book, tbh 🦸‍♂️😂

JK JK — y’all are 1000% WORTH IT 🙌💯

And to the fallen featured… no disrespect at all 🖤

Just… my… poor… eyes… 😩🔴👓

SOS send coffee & dark mode ☕️🕶️

04/08/2026

✨ COMING SOON! ✨

Get ready for an incredible true story that’s been hidden for over 50 years! 🕊️📜 "A Wingman for Miss Universe" by L. Wright Wallace is almost here! 🚀🙌

In 1967, a Marine fighter pilot 🚁🇺🇸 and Miss Universe 👑✨ crossed paths in a collision of two very different worlds. What started as a fleeting encounter became a 50-year journey of honor, sacrifice, and a promise kept. 🎖️❤️

This isn't just a book—it's a tribute to the quiet heroes of the Vietnam War era. 🇻🇳🎗️

🗓️ OFFICIAL RELEASE: April 21, 2026
🛍️ PRE-ORDER NOW ON AMAZON: ⬇️
👉 https://a.co/d/035pKzvy 🛒📱

Don't miss out on this poignant narrative of patriotism and heart! 🦅📖💖

🇺🇸✨📚

Writers Guild of America, East
Writers Guild of South Africa. A place for Writers by Writers
Writers' Guild of Great Britain
Writers Guild
Writers' guild
Bartelso News and Information
Bartelso Blaze - Santa Fe/Bartelso Fire Department Auxiliary
The Breese Journal
Standin’ Proud Veterans Tribute
Bartelso Veteran’s Recognition

The Miss Universe pageant of 1967, and its lasting echo across five decades, have long faded from the headlines that once blazed with Sylvia Hitchcock's triumph. Fresh histories have eclipsed it, and the relentless march of time has drawn our attention away from this seven-day drama that unfolde...

04/08/2026

Drafted in '65, Barry McAlpine was sent to Germany to play Army baseball. ⚾️🇩🇪 Safe and easy—but he hated it. 😤
He volunteered for Vietnam. Denied. ❌
Volunteered again. Denied. ❌
The 3rd time? APPROVED. ✅🇻🇳🫡
Honoring a true story of selfless courage

Van of Valor to Release Full Story of Army Sgt. Barry McAlpine, Two-Time Silver Star Recipient Who Volunteered Three Times for Vietnam By Dr. Kevin P. WallaceVan of Valor NORTH PORT, Fla. – He coul…

04/07/2026

The Hunter-Killer concept changed everything. White Scouts. Red Gunships. Blue Infantry. And at the tip of the spear: men like Sgt. Barry McAlpine, Blue 31 of B Troop, 1/9 Cavalry.

February 27, 1967. An Loa Valley. McAlpine's squad was ambushed in a rocky defile. Three wounded. Squad leader killed. McAlpine left cover, crawled through automatic weapons fire, and pulled each casualty to safety. Then, when his men couldn't locate the enemy, he went alone and cleared the position.

May 27, 1967. Duc Pho. A resupply Huey took hits and crashed upside down outside the perimeter. The pilot and co-pilot were trapped in the burning wreckage. VC machine guns had the crash site zeroed. McAlpine left the defensive perimeter and ran through the kill zone. He cut both pilots free and carried the most severely wounded back to friendly lines.

That is not duty. That is love for one's brothers.

McAlpine earned two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts. He came home, became a chiropractor, and served his community in Holland, Michigan for forty years.

The Hunter-Killer mission was dangerous. The statistics say the 1/9 Cav. initiated over half of the 1st Air Cavalry's major contacts and accounted for more than half of its enemy kills. But statistics don't capture what it meant to drop into a hot LZ with men like McAlpine leading the way.

Blue 31. Hunter-Killer. American hero.

Full story drops April 15.



Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association -VHPA
North Carolina Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
Upper Midwest Chapter Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots And Crew Chiefs And Door Gunners II
1st Cavalry Division
Standin’ Proud Veterans Tribute

04/07/2026

May 27, 1967. Duc Pho. Resupply Huey shot down. Crashed upside down. Crew trapped. VC machine guns firing. McAlpine ran through the kill zone, cut both pilots free, carried the wounded one to safety.

Second Silver Star. Three Purple Hearts. 🇺🇸

Van of Valor to Release Full Story of Army Sgt. Barry McAlpine, Two-Time Silver Star Recipient Who Volunteered Three Times for Vietnam By Dr. Kevin P. WallaceVan of Valor NORTH PORT, Fla. – He…