Six area people enjoy 2015 VetsRoll trip

Submitted By Mary Gross

VetsRoll Medical Team

WINNEBAGO – Two-hundred WWII and Korean War Veterans were treated to a four day, all expense paid, bus trip to Washington DC, courtesy of VetsRoll, from May 17 to May 20. It was a chance for them to see their memorials and share stories of their military life and for many, bring closure. Ten buses transported them as well as bus leaders, medical teams and assistants, bringing the total to 360 people. Stops included United States Air Force Museum in Dayton OH, in Washington DC we saw the Marine Corps War Memorial/Iwo Jima, WWII Memorial, Vietnam Wall Memorial and Arlington Cemetery.

One evening the Vets were treated to “Mail Call”. Over 8,000 letters and pictures from school children as well as the Vets family and friends expressing their gratitude and love were given to each Vet. There were a lot of smiles as well as tears.

On the ride home we stopped in Elkhart, IN to see “Millers Vets”. They are an honor guard squad that did a short program for us and all are homeless Vets from the area.

Two-hundred motorcycles met us at the Belvidere Oasis and escorted the buses to Rockton where we were met by fire trucks, police cars, more motorcycles, fireworks and hundreds of cheering people. What a special time.

It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and is open to any veteran who served before Dec 31, 1963 and honorably discharged. For more information, go to VetsRoll.org or just talk to anyone who has gone, we love to talk about it!!!