TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Heather Faust, MMC, FCPC, City Clerk
TITLE: Presentation of Certificate of Recognition to Kevin and Lauren Wallace in Recognition of the Van of Valor Project.
Recommended Action
Present Award.
Background Information
This award was requested by Lauren Wallace.
Over 280 days, Dr. Kevin P. Wallace - a combat-wounded veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star with Valor and Purple Heart - and Lauren W. Wallace, a historian and anthropologist, have undertaken a national pilgrimage. In their "Van of Valor," they traversed 48 states to conduct 312 interviews with Purple Heart recipients and Gold Star families, capturing firsthand accounts of service and sacrifice. This sacred mission to honor American heroes and memorialize over 400 fallen servicemembers embodies the highest ideals of citizenship, compassion, and patriotic duty.
Their work represents a vital contribution to our nation's historical record, ensuring that the personal legacies of our heroes are preserved for future generations. More than a journey, it is a profound act of grassroots scholarship and dedication that honors our military heritage with both depth and dignity.
This national pilgrimage will reach its meaningful conclusion on December 18, 2025, when the Van of Valor is officially retired in North Port. By choosing our City as its permanent home, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace have not only entrusted us with this invaluable archive but have also symbolically connected North Port to a nationwide network of remembrance and valor.
In recognition of their immense contribution to veteran advocacy, historical documentation, and the distinct honor they bestow upon our community, I respectfully request that the City of North Port issue a formal Certificate of Recognition to Dr. Kevin P. Wallace, Lauren W. Wallace, and the Van of Valor Project. This gesture would serve as our City's official expression of gratitude for work that so powerful...
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