Honoring Veterans

As Veterans Day approaches, let’s take a moment to honor all veterans, especially those who are a part of the IRTA community. We thank you for your service. This year, we’re excited to spotlight the meaningful volunteer efforts that IRTA member Gayle Haab does with VetsRoll.

VetsRoll was founded in 2010 by two brothers, John and Mark Finnegan, in honor of their parents, Cy and Barbara Finnegan. Their father, Cy, served in WWII as a Machinist Mate in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific. Their mother, Barbara, worked as a decoder for the War Department in Arlington, VA, as a civilian employee of the Army Signal Corps, known as a “Rosie.” Tragically, Cy never had the chance to see the WWII Memorial, as he passed away in 2000, and the memorial wasn’t completed until 2004.

The inaugural VetsRoll trip to Washington, D.C., took place from May 17-20, 2010, bringing together over 125 WWII veterans and Rosie-the-Riveters, along with 60 assistants. While thousands of veterans have participated in the Honor Flight, the Finnegans recognized that an 18- to 20-hour day is long for anyone, especially seniors. They wanted to offer an alternative and explored resources available to them, like the family’s rental RVs (Finnegan’s RV) and charter buses. In just 60 days, VetsRoll.org raised over $90,000 to provide a caravan of nine motorhomes, three charter coaches, and a support van. Mark Finnegan humorously described it as the “Beverly Hillbillies” driving through downtown Washington, D.C., in motorhomes!

You might be surprised to learn that they initially thought this trip would be a “one and done” adventure. However, before they even returned home, Mark began receiving phone calls from friends and family who had heard about the trip and wanted to sign up for the following year. By the next trip, attendance had swelled to 200 veterans from WWII, the Korean War, and Rosies. Each trip includes a support team of over 100 volunteers and medical personnel.

VetsRoll has continued to grow, and the waiting list has lengthened as more veterans hear about this wonderful, all-expense-paid trip to see their memorials and experience CLOSURE, GRATITUDE, and RESPECT. You might find it interesting that Gayle became involved with VetsRoll while teaching at Roscoe Middle School. Students in her art classes made “Thank You” cards for the veterans that were included in their “Mail Call” envelopes, along with letters from family and friends. Mail Call typically happens the night (or two) before returning home from D.C. News anchor Aaron Wilson from Channel 23 dresses up as “Uncle Sam” and helps deliver the mail to the veterans, creating a very moving experience for them as they reminisce about receiving mail during their service. This year, 5,700 cards and letters written by area students were divided into 220 envelopes. Channel 23 WIFR covers the entire trip, broadcasting the emotional moments as veterans view the memorials in Washington, D.C.

Since 2010, VetsRoll has traveled 337,000 miles by convoy, allowing veterans to visit significant 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, and the National WWII Memorial in Washington, as well as the MLK and FDR Memorials.

This year marks the 13th trip, as the organization was unable to go during May of 2020, 2021, or 2022 due to COVID. They restarted in the fall of 2022 with a smaller group of 96 veterans and about 80 assistants. In May 2023, they took 180 veterans on eight coach buses, and in May 2024, they returned to their full ten Badger coach buses with 220 veterans and about 170 assistants. There’s a long waiting list for veterans who signed up years ago. This year, those who served in 1969 and earlier are eligible for VetsRoll, while veterans aged 85 and older bypass the waitlist. In 2024, there were only four WWII veterans, about 40 who served in the Korean War, and 175 who served during the Vietnam Era.

You may be pleased to know that the veterans go on this trip at absolutely no cost. To make this possible, VetsRoll must raise about $400,000 a year. Fundraising occurs year-round, and no tax dollars or corporate sponsorships are involved. Volunteer assistants cover their own expenses ($550). Once volunteers reach their sixth trip, the seventh trip costs half, and the eighth trip and beyond are free! In 2025, Gayle will celebrate her eighth year as a volunteer assistant and the “Snack and Beverage Coordinator.” She begins in January, contacting vendors to request donations for the trip. Businesses are generous when they hear it’s for the veterans and assistants to enjoy snacks and beverages during the four-day journey to Washington, D.C., and back! She organizes pickups of products before departure and divides them into totes for the ten buses serving 400 participants. For instance, she has picked up 100 cases of water, 60 cases of juice and soda, and various snacks from local vendors. She also coordinates craft kits for the veterans to assemble with their grandchildren upon their return home.

VetsRoll actively encourages high school students to join as volunteer assistants. In 2024, they took seven high school seniors who became incredible volunteers, connecting meaningfully with the veterans. Observing them interact and assist those needing help in wheelchairs was heartwarming. This year, they’re expanding the student volunteer program to ten area high schools, aiming to select two seniors from each school. Students undergo an application and interview process, followed by training on safely transporting veterans in wheelchairs and understanding their volunteer responsibilities.

Since 2010, VetsRoll has enabled 2,470 WWII, Korean, and Vietnam Era veterans and “Rosies” to take this journey. They have provided 7,690 hotel rooms, served 58,200 meals, traveled 337,000 miles, and welcomed veterans and assistants from 38 different states!

You may find it gratifying to know that this experience has brought joy and fulfillment. The trip is exhilarating yet exhausting (travelers get very little sleep for four nights). Many volunteers do this for the veterans, but especially in honor of their own loved ones who served. Gayle honors her father, a Lieutenant Colonel in WWII, who served in the Army Air Corps stationed in the Aleutian Islands. He often shared stories about the extreme cold, which forced him to remove all the batteries from planes to prevent freezing.

Sadly, we are losing about 1,000 WWII veterans each day. In 2023, the median age of these veterans was 98, with some as old as 102 traveling with VetsRoll. A full medical team accompanies each bus, providing wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, and a dedicated team of medical professionals, including LPNs, RNs, EMTs, paramedics, and firefighters.

Often, upon returning, veterans express a desire to be buried in their VetsRoll polo and jacket. It’s heartwarming to think that just four days of this experience can provide the CLOSURE, GRATITUDE, and RESPECT they truly deserve.

If you would like to make a contribution to VetsRoll or to learn more about the organization, please click here.