VetsRoll trip gives veterans proper closure, gratitude and respect, with three Hononegah students assisting
VetsRoll is taking 200 of our nation's veterans on the trip of a lifetime, along with numerous volunteers.
In the past 16 years, VetsRoll, Inc. has hosted thousands of World War II, Korean, and Vietnam-era veterans and "Rosie the Riveters" from 38 states and the District of Columbia, with all expenses covered by generous donors. The bus convoy to Washington, D.C. offers proper closure, gratitude, and respect to our nation's veterans.
The term "Rosie the Riveter" covers (mostly) ladies who went to work in America’s factories during World War II to fulfill a vital need for the Allied war effort and also to allow more young men to enlist in the service between 1941 and 1948.
This year, 200 veterans will experience this special trip. Among those taking the trip are three Hononegah students.
Vets Roll coordinator, volunteer, and HCHS School Board member Gayle Haab gave an overview of what it means to the three students at the April Board of Education meeting.
“It is really my honor to have Brooke Etnyre, Camden Greenfield, and Addison Erb [to] represent Hononegah High School.”
"Each applied to go as student volunteer assistants. They will have a trip of a lifetime and will have the opportunity to meet with and to help the veterans on a day-to-day basis, to help with any assistance they may need. This will be a life-changing trip.”
Haab added, “Up until this year, we had World War II veterans and Rosie the Riveters... Of our World War II veterans, the youngest is 98.” This year is predominantly those who served in the Korean War and Vietnam. "We would like to invite everyone to a send off on Sunday morning from Harlem High School on May 17 at 5:15 a.m."
The Eclipse Center had been the launching point in previous years, but it is no longer in existence and the Central Christian Church had a conflict.
On May 20, when VetsRoll returns to Harlem High School, a warm homecoming will include fireworks, flags, signs and the best of patriotism. Everyone is encouraged to welcome our veterans back home.
Hononegah Principal Chad Dougherty addressed the three students, “The thing that I think is going to be most spectacular is that you will be your first time seeing these memorials in Washington and you will be experiencing them with those who made them possible, and even might be the first time they have seen them as well.”
Haab added, “They are three out of 175 assistants, we have gone regionally to the schools. We have nine student assistants from five different schools.”
The VetsRoll trip was created for “Rosie the Riveters” and WWII era veterans who were on active duty before 1949, as well as honorably discharged veterans who served before 1967.
VetsRoll was started in 2010 by John and Mark Finnegan in loving memory of their father Sy, who was a businessman and a WWII veteran. Their mom, Barbara, worked as a decoder for the War Department in Arlington, VA – an Army Signal Corps civilian office employee whom VetsRoll classifies as a "Rosie."
The Finnegan family is joined by a dedicated board of directors in this venture. The team includes a volunteer flag crew, a medical team, special recorder Brad Scott, Gayle Haab - also known as “Bev Snacks,” the photography team, Aaron Wilson of Channel 23 News, and videographers.
Bus leaders and motorcycle escorts play an important role. Volunteers are instrumental in keeping conversations going on the trip.
Over the years, VetsRoll has traveled many miles by convoy, allowing veterans to see memorable sites such as the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio, the National Museum of the Marine Corps, the Korean, Vietnam and Lincoln Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery with the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, National WWII Memorial in Washington, MLK and FDR Memorials.
In May of 2024, the city of Beloit approved renaming a portion of Riverside Drive, between White and Henry Avenue, to VetsRoll Drive.
Jean Seegers
Last year, VetsRoll earned the 2025 Excelsior award for extraordinary community service.
All of who take this journey are onboard to give our nation's veterans the closure, gratitude, and respect that they greatly deserve.
Jean Seegers
