VetsRoll.org was conceived on February 1, 2010 by John (spouse-Kimberly) and Mark (spouse-Darlene) Finnegan, co-owners of Finnegans’ RV Center, inc. in South Beloit, IL. Finnegans’ RV Center was formed in 1969 by their parents, Cy and Barbara Finnegan.
A short time later, John and Mark learned of the wonderful Honor Flight Network that raises money to charter commercial aircraft on one day, round trip flights to fly WWII Veterans to Washington, DC at no cost to the Veterans. The Honor Flight program has ‘hubs’ located throughout America and has given America’s greatest heroes the opportunity to see their memorials before it’s too late.
In 2010, the average age of a WWII Era Veteran was now in the mid to late 80s; time was NOT on their side. Sadly, it is estimated that this group of heroes is passing away at the alarming rate of 1000 each day! The Honor Flights have flown tens of thousands of these heroes to Washington, but the Finnegans’ believed the 18-20 hour days are quite long on someone of their age. Perhaps they could offer an alternative!
John and Mark felt they had finally received their calling and began calculating the logistics and expenses of offering a similar program to the WWII Veterans. Since the Finnegans’ are in the RV motorhome rental business, John and Mark looked at doing a 4-day trip by combination of charter buses and motorhomes. They shared their ideas with several others in their circle of contacts and kicked off VetsRoll.org on March 17th, 2010, just 60 days before their planned departure of May 17-20, 2010. Veterans and volunteers began to sign-up and the donations started to come in and in just 60 days, VetsRoll.org had raised more than $90,000 to successfully schedule a caravan of nine motorhomes, three charter coaches and a support van, carrying 125 WWII Veterans and ‘Rosies’.
Originally thought to be a ‘one-and-done’ venture, demand for subsequent trips continued and the all important donations kept coming and on May 16-19, 2011 VetsRoll 2 was carried out successfully with 200 Veterans (now including the Korean Era Veterans, along with the WWII and ‘Rosies’) and 100 assistants on board 10 charter coaches, with a media coach and a wheelchair lift-equipped support van.
Annually, local fundraisers raise significant funds to allow VetsRoll, Inc.® to continue its mission and in 2017, the Tavern League of Wisconsin and its 5,000 members began statewide fundraisers to support the VetsRoll Program, continuing to this day.
Each year, 200 more WWII and Korean Era Veterans and ‘Rosies-the-Riveters’ are treated to this trip; all at zero expense to the participants!
