SAUGUS — Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 2346 is raising funds to host its third “Roll to DC” trip for local veterans in 2022.
Vietnam-era veterans from Melrose, Saugus, Lynn, and other surrounding towns have the opportunity to attend the four-night trip to Washington D.C., which will include a stay at the Presidential Inn on Andrews Air Force Base (home of the Presidential Aircraft), a ceremony to lay a wreath at the Vietnam Wall and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and visits to a number of military memorials and statues.
Trip chair and Vietnam-era veteran Dennis Gould said the organization has already booked several of its reservations more than a year in advance.
“There’s a lot of planning involved,” Gould said. “That’s why we’re starting so early.”
Because Gould estimates the trip will cost approximately $70,000 to pull off — “We want to let everyone go who wants to go,” he said — the team is currently seeking major sponsorships and donations from all corners of the community.
Trips like these are particularly important, he said, because they can offer a form of closure to men and women who have survived the horrors of war and still suffer the mental and emotional effects of that trauma.
“If you served in Vietnam and lost a buddy, it’s still daunting to have that in your memory,” Gould said. “Some people really don’t get closure until they go to the Vietnam Wall and they see their buddy’s name on it, or they do a trip like this and they lay a wreath.
“It’s very therapeutic and very emotional. Some vets have told me it was very helpful to them. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) didn’t start with Desert Storm. PTSD started in Vietnam, and a lot of people still have it.”
Unfortunately, as with most fundraising efforts in recent months, the COVID-19 pandemic has complicated matters.
“We just can’t host a bunch of fundraisers,” Gould said. “But if we’re very successful, we could rent two buses, which would be about 75 or 80 veterans.”
Also serving on the trip’s committee are Vice Chairs David Nelson of the Saugus American Legion and Stacey Minchello of Melrose Senior Center, and Treasurer Stan King of Quartermaster Post 2346.
Those who wish to become a sponsor or who are looking to learn more can contact Gould at (617) 257-4847, or email him at [email protected].
Individual donations can be made out via check to “Saugus VFW – Roll to DC.” “Roll to DC 2022” should be written in the comment line and mailed to: Saugus VFW Post 2346, 190C Main St., Saugus, MA, 01906.
Elyse Carmosino can be reached at [email protected].
