What began as a solitary journey of remembrance has become a powerful Memorial Day tradition for Army veteran Derek “Doc” Van Tuyl — one that now draws people from across the country to walk alongside him through the streets of Owensboro.
Fourteen years ago, Van Tuyl laced up his boots and began walking in honor of two friends he lost in combat, with no particular destination in mind. The former Army medic had served with the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq from 2004–05 and Afghanistan from 2008–09, and he needed a way to cope with the weight of their absence.
“I lost a couple of friends while I was overseas, and 14 years ago on the anniversary of their passing, I walked from Whitesville to the Owensboro riverfront. I just ran out of road. Since then, I’ve made it an annual tradition on Memorial Day.”
Now living in Owensboro, the Buffalo, New York, native has turned that private act of mourning into a public show of remembrance. For the 11th year in a row, he’ll host a Memorial Day walk to honor fallen service members — a nearly 11-mile loop through the city that begins and ends at Smothers Park.
The walk steps off at 8:30 a.m. Monday, with participants encouraged to arrive by 8 a.m. It’s free and open to all.
Van Tuyl’s route takes Frederica Street to Southtown Boulevard, Carter Road, Parrish Avenue, and back downtown, passing the veterans memorial at the Owensboro Sportscenter along the way — a deliberate choice that ties into the meaning behind the walk.
Before the walk begins, Van Tuyl will read aloud the names of 128 fallen service members. The list started with a few friends, but it’s grown each year as others have reached out through social media to include the names of their own loved ones.
“Each one of them matters,” he said. “They’re not here anymore, but I am. I’ve been gifted with this life, so I walk in their honor.”
Van Tuyl also creates a striking visual tribute with 250 American flags — half placed in his yard and half downtown with the City’s permission. Each flag bears the name of a fallen service member.
“People drive by all day taking pictures,” he said. “It’s powerful. It’s a reminder.”
He describes the walk as both solemn and healing.
“It’s very cathartic,” Van Tuyl said. “When I walk, I remember my friends — not the bad stuff, but the good times. That’s what Memorial Day is about for me.”
Van Tuyl moved to Kentucky after his service, having been stationed at Fort Campbell. He said he fell in love with the state and found an unexpected sense of community in Owensboro.
“The support I’ve felt here is incredible,” he said. “There’s a much bigger veteran community here than I ever expected. And every year, people from all over the country have come to walk with me.”
