HomeFront Sitrep
HomeFront SitRep is a powerful and heartfelt veteran-led podcast dedicated to giving a voice to those who have served—and those who continue to serve behind the scenes. It stands as a platform for real stories, real impact, and real people who genuinely care about the veteran community—not just as statistics, but as brothers, sisters, and family.
This podcast shines a spotlight on the grassroots: the unsung, often-overlooked mom-and-pop nonprofit organizations that are boots-on-the-ground, showing up daily for veterans. These aren’t corporate machines or big-budget operations—they’re passionate individuals and small teams who lead with heart, often formed by veterans or military families who know the struggle firsthand. HomeFront SitRep celebrates these organizations that haven’t lost sight of humanity, offering support, services, and community without red tape or fine print.
But the mission doesn’t stop there.
The show also brings in a vibrant cross-section of the veteran community—highlighting veteran-owned businesses, showcasing the creativity of veteran authors and musicians, and laughing alongside veteran comedians. Each episode dives deep into personal journeys, challenges, and triumphs, giving veterans from all walks of life a chance to share their story, their mission, and their voice.
Whether it’s a Marine turned mental health advocate, an Army veteran launching a clothing brand, or a Navy vet writing their first book, HomeFront SitRep serves as a rally point for veterans and patriots alike. It’s not just a podcast—it’s a mission to build connection, community, and conversation.
This is where the fight continues—on the home front. This is HomeFront SitRep.
In this powerful episode of HomeFront Sitrep, we sit down with Dr. Kevin P. Wallace and Lauren Wright Wallace, the driving force behind the nationwide storytelling initiative Van of Valor.
After decades of service and sacrifice, Kevin and Lauren made a life-altering decision: sell much of what they owned, convert a van into a mobile base of operations, and travel across the United States to preserve the stories of America’s wounded warriors and fallen heroes’ families. Their mission is simple but profound—document the lived experiences of Purple Heart recipients and Gold Star families before those stories are lost to time.
Kevin brings a deeply personal perspective to the project. A retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant, combat photographer, and Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Valor recipient, he understands firsthand the cost of war and the weight many veterans carry long after the battlefield fades from view. Lauren, a trained historian and anthropologist, helps guide the interviews and ensures these conversations become part of a meaningful historical archive.
Together, they created Van of Valor, a project they often describe as a “rolling memorial.” Rather than waiting for stories to come to them, they bring the mission directly to veterans and families—meeting them where they live, listening to their experiences, and capturing their voices in a way that honors their sacrifice.
Throughout this episode, we dive into:
The personal journey that inspired Kevin and Lauren to launch Van of Valor
Kevin’s experiences in combat and how they shaped his perspective on service and sacrifice
The emotional weight of interviewing Purple Heart recipients and Gold Star families
The importance of documenting these stories as part of America’s living military history
The impact these conversations have on veterans who have rarely shared their stories before
How storytelling can help bridge the gap between the military and civilian worlds
As they travel thousands of miles across the country, Kevin and Lauren are not just collecting interviews—they are building a living archive of courage, resilience, loss, and honor. Each story becomes another thread in the larger narrative of America’s military history and the families who carry that legacy forward.
This conversation also highlights the deeper purpose behind the mission. Many veterans struggle with moral injury, survivor’s guilt, and the invisible wounds of war. By providing a platform for them to share their experiences, Van of Valor offers something many veterans never receive—the chance to be heard, understood, and remembered.
For HomeFront Sitrep, this episode represents the heart of what the show is about: amplifying the voices of those who have served and those who continue to support the military community long after the uniform comes off.
Whether you are a veteran, a family member, or someone who simply wants to better understand the human cost of war, this episode offers a rare and powerful glimpse into the stories that shape our nation.
Join us for a conversation about sacrifice, remembrance, and the mission to ensure that the stories of America’s warriors are never forgotten.
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About the host
David Willis
HomeFront Sitrep is hosted by a Marine Corps veteran David Willis. I served in the Marines from 1997 to 2004.
I knew at a very early age that I was going into the military but didn’t know what branch. As I got older and started learning about each branch and quickly figured out that the Marines was the best. I served in the Marine Corps from 97-04. My MOS was 0311(infantry). I went to Paris Island for boot camp after bootcamp I was stationed with 2nd blt 8th Marines Golf company. While with 2/8 I went on several deployments to port a prince Haiti, Okinawa, South Korea, Greece, also did two trips to Bridgeport California for cold weather training, I wasn’t going to make a Mediterranean float so I extended and joined 1st blt 8th Marines Bravo company. During my time there we deployed to the Mediterranean and had stops in Spain, Italy, Malta, Africa, and other ports. I got out of the Marines inAugust of 01, but 9/11 happened and was recalled to go back in where I was stationed with a mobilization support battalion and deployed.
After getting out of the Marines in04, I met my now wife and westarted a family. I have two beautiful daughters. I also started working in the pest control industry, that didn’t suit me, so I went to work in the telecommunications industry and have been since 2006. I worked for Insight communications for eight years and worked myself up to supervisor and held that title for two and half years. Currently I work for AT&T as a buried services machine operator, was a Wire Technician for my first 9 years.
My passion is helping veterans, I started the Communications Workers of America Local 3310 veterans committee, where we worked with other local unions and businesses from Louisville to rebuild homes for homeless veterans called Operation Victory. Currently still co chair on this committee, but I am also the president for the state of Kentucky for AT&T Veterans, which is a chapter of the national 501c3. While being president myself and another veteran Gene Spear came up with the ideal of a tiny home community for homeless veterans. We we regaining traction when I was asked to serve on the board for Veteran’s Club Inc as sergeant of arms, where I helped build the organization into a nationally recognized 501c3. During this time I brought the tiny home community over to Veteran’s Club. I left Veteran’s Club for personal reasons and the project was canceled. My daughters and myself still volunteer with any veteran event we are able to.
I currently host a podcast called HomeFront Sitrep, we bring in 501c3’s and veteran owned businesses from around the country to tell their stories and what lead them to give back to their communities and veterans. As for The Oath that I took, I would absolutely do it again, in a heartbeat!
Semper Fi 
