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Vets Roll honored with street naming
COURTESY PHOTO The Journal
Mark Finnegan received an honorary sign marking the renaming of part of Henry Ave. in Beloit becoming Vets Roll Dr.
Vets Roll has hosted 2,470 WWII, Korean and Vietnam Era Veterans and Rosie the Riveters from 38 states and the District of Columbia in the past 14 years, on what has been called “The trip of a lifetime.”
This year around 200 Veterans will have the same experience.
Active duty or those who were honorably discharged Veterans qualify for the trip.
Vets Roll started in 2010 by John and Mark Finnegan in loving memory of their father Sy who was a businessman and a WWII Veteran.
Finnegan’s mom Barbara worked as an Army Signal Corps civilian office employee as a Decoder for the War Department in Arlington, VA. She was also treated as Rosie the Riveter.
Vets Roll has traveled 337,000 miles by convoy allowing Veterans to see memorable sites such as National Museum of United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps Museum, Korean, Vietnam and Lincoln Memorials, Arlington Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, National WWII Memorial in Washington, MLK and FDR Memorials, and Wright Patterson AFB, in Dayton, Ohio.
When 11 buses leave on May 19, 2024 they will celebrate a new distinction after an honorary street renaming ceremony was held at the Rotary Center in Beloit on April 7.
Starting things off was a check presentation from the Beloit Legion to Mark Finnegan who warmly welcomed everyone and recognized his family, and expressed gratitude to the entire community for their support of Vets Roll.
The ceremony opened with a presentation of Colors by RCSO and City of Beloit Police Department. Gary McAdams led in the singing of the National Anthem. Taps was played.
Beloit Council President Regina Duncan was the first of four guest speakers.
Veterans, Rosie the Riveters, First Responders and their family, “On behalf of the City Council we are so proud to make this a reality.
“Being from a military family I know first hand how hard it is when your loved one is deployed. It helps to show that their sacrifice made a difference. It is my sincere hope that ‘Vets Roll Drive’ will help to keep all of our veterans in our hearts and minds through this special gesture of kindness. May you each feel the gratitude you are so greatly deserving.”
Diane Hendricks of the Hendrick’s Family Foundation has given back monetarily and supports disabled veterans.
“I am always at the homecoming, America cannot live without you,” Hendricks said.
Hendricks reflected on a recent family trip and the impact of the sites they visited. “It was a moving two weeks. Everybody should go to Washington DC.
“We have built our 400th house for veterans who are unable to live in a traditional one. It has been an honor to know them, the disabled veterans. I am so proud to do my part for this community of great people and do what I can for disabled veterans.”
Bill Lock of Beloit Culvers reflected on flags going up around the region to honor Veterans Day week.
“Sixty Culvers stores raised over $60,000 in one week to be donated back to Vets Roll. These efforts have been ongoing for the past 15 years.
“We would like to express gratitude for everything that you do. This shows what good things can happen. Stores from as far away as Idaho are involved,” Lock said.
“This is done to recognize their hard work, their lives and everything they have done so we can have our freedom.”
Missy Laub spoke on behalf of Fairbanks Morse Defense. “We raised funds nationwide totaling over $30,000, in from a one day bicycle ride for the Wounded Warrior Project.
“Every time I think of Vets Roll we express our gratitude not just for uttering the words but to live by them, “Closure, Gratitude and Respect.”
“Having been part of the flag waving and cheerleading at homecomings I cannot think of a better name for this street. As ordinary citizens we cannot thank them enough. Thank you to Vets Roll, the Finnegans, and our veterans for your service. We salute you.”
Finnegan asked Veterans and Rosie The Riveters stand to be recognized. Respectful applause filled the room.
WWII Veteran George Olson, age 97, of Beloit US Navy and survivor of the sinking of the USS Twiggs at Okinawa and ‘Magic’ Bill Hunter, age 101, of Roscoe, US Navy who also served off Okinawa were recognized at the ceremony.
Two local ‘Rosies’ that were unable to attend but are always part of Vets Roll events are Eva Hoff, age 97, of Beloit, an employee at Besley Products during WWII and Fung Scholz, age 98, of Janesville, an employee of Fairbanks Morse during WWII. Both were classmates of the Finnegans’ deceased mother Barbara Finnegan (also a Rosie), Beloit Senior High School Class of 1944.
The majority of veterans in the room were of the Vietnam Era.
“Vets Roll operates like a well oiled machine,” Finnegan said.
Finnegan recognized the Vet’s Roll Board of Directors, and each position.
A team comes together including a volunteer flag crew, Special recorder Brad Scott, Gayle Haab, “The Snack Lady,” the photography team, Aaron Wilson of Channel 23 news, and videographers.
Bus leaders and motorcycle escorts play an important role.
“We have 170 assistants on the buses, who create a wonderful comrade.”
“Our medical team has the best professionals. Volunteers are instrumental in keeping conversations going. “We don’t do sex, politics or religion,” Finnegan said.
Hononegah Community High School students, Issac Rukin and Josh Lawrence will be volunteering this year.
Regina Duncan presented Mark Finnegan with a sign reading, “Vet’s Roll Drive.” The sign will be proudly placed in a section from Henry Ave. on the north end down to White Avenue on the south end, covering a total distance of one mile, on the path of the next and future Vets Roll trips.
Bring your flags and signs to welcome our heroes home at the victory parade at the Eclipse Center on May 22 with an estimated arrival time of 9:15 to 9:30 p.m.
