ALBANY, N.Y. – On October 23-24, 2026, the Dwyer Coalition for Military Veterans & Families will launch the inaugural “Tour de Valor: One Million Voices,” a statewide awareness initiative connecting communities across New York through a symbolic 200+ mile bicycle journey from Albany County to Suffolk County.
The mission of Tour de Valor is to connect communities across New York through a 200+ mile journey from the Albany County Veterans Service Bureau to the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Memorial in Rocky Point, Long Island. The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) is supporting the inaugural Tour de Valor and helping amplify awareness of this important event and its vital message of connection, peer support and hope for Veterans, Service Members, Military Families, and caregivers.
Guided by the powerful theme “One Million Voices,” the journey symbolizes the path many Veterans, Service Members, Military Families, and caregivers travel through life’s challenges, reminding individuals that hope can be found along the way, support walks beside them, and no one should have to face those challenges alone. The Tour de Valor’s continuous 22-hour ride without sleep symbolizes the physical and emotional exhaustion that can accompany mental health and physical obstacles. The 200+ mile journey represents the road many travel through life’s challenges. Stops with fire departments symbolize hope and support. Law enforcement escorts represent the people and organizations who guide, protect, and stand beside us during difficult moments. Two Veterans riding together symbolize the camaraderie and peer support reminding us that no one has to make the journey alone.
Tour de Valor also seeks to raise awareness of those whose service is often overlooked. National Guard members, Reservists, Military Families, caregivers, and others within the military-connected community are not always reflected in the statistics most commonly used to describe the Veteran population. Tour de Valor encourages conversations that recognize the entire military-connected community and the importance of ensuring every voice is heard.
The inaugural ride will be completed by two Veterans. Gavin T. Walters Sr., MSW, a disabled United States Air Force Veteran and Executive Director of the Dwyer Coalition for Military Veterans & Families, will ride alongside Jason Puckett, who honorably served 22 years in the military, including four years in the United States Navy as a submariner and 18 years in the New York Air National Guard at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh. Their journey reflects the camaraderie, trust, and peer support that are central to the mission of Tour de Valor.
“Tour de Valor is about more than the miles we will travel. It is about the journey so many Veterans, Service Members, Military Families and caregivers experience, and the reminder that none of us has to make that journey alone. As Veterans, we understand the power of having someone beside you who has walked a similar path. That is what peer support is all about. Jason and I are honored to carry that message from Albany to the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Memorial and to recognize the communities, first responders and supporters who stand with our military-connected families every day.” Gavin T. Walters Sr., MSW, U.S. Air Force Veteran and Executive Director, Dwyer Coalition for Military Veterans & Families, Inc., said.
“The Tour de Valor is a powerful reminder that no Veteran, Service Member or Military Family should ever have to navigate life’s challenges alone. At the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services, we are proud of our strong partnership with the Dwyer Coalition and of the extraordinary peer-to-peer network that continues to reach Veterans where they are, with understanding, connection, and hope. Under Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership, the Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program was successfully expanded statewide, ensuring that Veterans across New York have access to the life-changing power of peer support. We are grateful to Governor Hochul and proud to stand with the Coalition, and all those taking part in Tour de Valor as they carry that message from Albany to Long Island: there is strength in connection, there is hope on the road ahead, and we are committed to Serving All Who Served,” Dr. Viviana M. DeCohen, USMC, Commissioner, New York State Department of Veterans’ Services, said.
Private First-Class Joseph P. Dwyer was a U.S. Army combat medic from Long Island who served in Iraq and became widely known after being photographed carrying an injured Iraqi child to safety in 2003. After returning home, PFC Dwyer struggled with post-traumatic stress and a traumatic brain injury and passed away in 2008. The PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Program was created in his memory to connect Veterans with fellow Veterans through confidential, non-clinical peer support.
For more information visit: www.josephpdwyerpeerproject.org/2026-tour-de-valor.
About the Dwyer Coalition for Military Veterans & Families:
The Dwyer Coalition for Military Veterans & Families works to reduce Veteran suicide, improve mental health, address substance use, and strengthen the well-being of military-connected communities by supporting New York’s Joseph P. Dwyer Peer-to-Peer Veterans Support Program network. We accomplish this by connecting organizations, facilitating statewide collaboration, developing shared resources, leveraging technology, supporting advocacy, and creating innovative opportunities that strengthen local Dwyer Programs and the people they serve. Learn more by visiting: https://www.josephpdwyerpeerproject.org/about-us.
About the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services:
The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services proudly serves New York’s Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families, connecting them with benefits, services, and support. All Who Served should contact the Department at 888-838-7697 or via its website – veterans.ny.gov – to meet in-person or virtually with an accredited Veterans Benefits Advisor to receive the benefits they have earned. Follow DVS on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Threads, and Bluesky.
