210 veterans on their way home after a journey of a lifetime
On the evening of May 21, the 10 buses will arrive back in Beloit from DC.
The parking lot at Central Christian Church, 2460 Milwaukee Road in Beloit, was filled to capacity on Saturday, May 17. It was “all hands on deck” for veterans, assistants, and a myriad of volunteers as they made the final preparations before taking off early Sunday morning, May 18, 2025. Destination: Washington DC.
On Saturday May 16, veterans and "Rosie the Riveters" from World War II, Korea, Vietnam went through the process of having identification pictures taken, going over any health issues, and medications and interviews. Each veteran received duffel bags, hats, jackets and other supplies.
Navy veteran Tod Burd, a counselor and member of the medical team, is making his first trip with VetsRoll. He said he was amazed at the organization of the event. "It is like getting ready for a military operation."
Over 400 veterans and assistants will be taking the four-day journey. Two assistants are assigned to each veteran. There are four medical personnel on each of the 10 buses.
Aaron Wilson and cameraman William Stewart from WIFR television in Rockford were there to record the final preparations. Wilson said this is his ninth VetsRoll trip.
Mark and John Finnigan are the founders of VetsRoll. They came up with the concept of the journey of a bus trip to Washington as a tribute to their father who was a WWII veteran and their mother who served as a Rosie the Riveter during World War II.
Gayle Haab has been on board the bus as a volunteer for VetsRoll every year. Her father was a World War II veteran. Her volunteer work with VetsRoll is her way of paying tribute to her father and to all veterans who have served our country. She also heads up several money raising events and donation efforts through the year.
Ten Badger Buses left Central Christian Church at 5:00 am on Sunday, May 18. They arrived in Dayton, Ohio the first day, where they toured Wright Patterson Air Force Base. The next day they continued their journey to the nation's capital.
Mail Call is one of the highlights of the journey. It was held the final evening of the return trip. Mark Finnigan, VetsRoll founder, along with his brother, John delivered mail to all of the veterans. Some of the mail was from family members, while others from children in elementary and high schools in the area.
"It is a very touching and emotional part of the trip," Haab said.
Today, May 21, the 10 busses will deliver veterans and assistants and medical teams back to the Central Christian Church at around 9:30 pm. They will be greeted by thousands of American flags flying along Milwaukee Road. Fireworks and a police escort and motorcycle escort will see the weary veterans home.
Everyone is invited to attend the VetsRoll homecoming to welcome the weary travelers home and support their service to our country.
