Historic gathering honors aging World War II veterans, Rosie the Riveters in Rockford

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A historic gathering on the 83rd anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor brought together dozens of World War II veterans, “Rosie the Riveters” and wartime nurses — all age 97 or older — to honor them for their service.

The nonprofit Vets Roll Inc. partnered with Hard Rock Casino Rockford to bring the group together to be recognized for their service and sacrifice during World War II.

“It’s unbelievable that there are so many people who care about what I did,” Army veteran Jimmy Castellano said of the ceremony inside Hard Rock Live, which included speeches from local dignitaries such as County Board Chairman Joe Chiarelli, Mayor Tom McNamara, U.S. Air Force Major General John Borling and cast members of the acclaimed 2001 HBO mini-series “Band of Brothers.”

Castellano, who joined the Army fresh out of high school at age 18, served from 1943-45 with the 430th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. He then spent 37 years as a police officer. Now living in Belvidere, Castellano, who turns 100 on Jan. 17, attended with his wife of 77 years, Louise.

“I’m proud of what I did and I would do it again. The military was good to me and I was good to the military,” he said. “I only hope that future generations realize what a wonderful country this is.

“I’ve been around almost 100 years and you’ll never find a better place to live than the United States of America.”

The veterans came from the Rockford region as well as Wisconsin and Indiana. They were connected through Vets Roll with the help of Assisting Hands Home Care, Honor Flight Chicago and Old Glory Honor Flight.

“This event will be remembered in Rockford for years to come as a historic event for Rockford, Illinois,” said Carl Nuccio, a volunteer with Vets Roll, which helps organize trips to Washington, D.C. for veterans to visit memorials for a chance to reflect and gain closure.

Nuccio said the event was the chance to recognize American heroes like his friend Gene Kleindl, a 102-year-old veteran who served as a medic in the 358th Infantry Regiment.

Kleindl, who landed on Utah Beach in Normandy on June 8, 1944, was injured during the war.

“He fought Utah Beach, all the way through Normandy, liberated Flossenburg Jewish concentration camp, as a medic took care of the sick in the concentration camp — all before his 22nd birthday,” Nuccio said. “That’s just one example of 16 million examples you could give of why we need to remember these individuals.”

Vets Roll, which was started in February 2010 by the owners of Finnegan’s RV Center, makes it its mission to provide closure, gratitude and respect to veterans.

“This gathering is more than a remembrance, it’s a celebration of their unparalleled contributions to history,” Mark Finnegan, the president of Vets Roll, said in a statement.

The organization is best known for its annual trips to Washington, D.C., to allow veterans to visit war memorials. Castellano went on one of those trips about a decade ago.

“When I visited the memorials in Washington, D.C., the numbers were staggering,” he said. “It was unbelievable, humbling.”

Roald Zvonik, a 98-year-old Navy veteran from Moline, joined the service at age 17 and served from 1944 to 1946. He earned six medals, which he was delayed in receiving until this past August.

Zvonik later worked for the Army as a civilian with deployments in Germany and Vietnam.

“They missed more four more times as a civilian,” he said of surviving World War II and his civilian deployments.

Zvonik was asked to reflect on seeing so many veterans gathered in one place.

“It’s great but I wish there was more of them alive,” he said. “It means a lot to me because, at least, we’re being recognized and we have a great country.”

Three actors from “Band of Brothers” — Doug Spain, Rene Moreno and Peter Youngblood Hills — shared their appreciation for the opportunity to depict the history of “Easy” Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.

The ceremony was largely a chance to celebrate and thank the men and women who served or gave back as civilians during World War II. It was also a reflection on the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Habor.

The attack happened in the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, killing roughly 2,400 people and drawing the United States into World War II.

“I don’t think America knows what these men went through to win World War II,” Nuccio said. “We really need to pass this on to the next generation because in another few years we’re not going to have any of these men and women left, and it’s really important that we never forget their sacrifices.”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas