Support Our Local Veterans

The idea for Roll Call of North Texas was born in 2014. A Fort Worth native and businessman, Kevin Boldt, wanted to honor WWII veterans by taking them to lunch to show appreciation for their service. Kevin had an interest in military history since many of his family members served, including himself. He took a group of about fifteen WWII veterans to lunch; the following month there were about thirty. Each month the group has grown to a total membership that over 1,000! 

Today, We now average around 300 – 325 people in attendance each month for the monthly luncheons providing fellowship, honor, and camaraderie for veterans and service members of all races, backgrounds and ages. This luncheon is generally held on the fourth Friday of each month. Veterans and military personnel eat free. A program accompanies lunch, with a different theme each month. Stories of our attendees’ heroism, courage and sacrifices are highlighted each month by interviewing several veterans whose military service included participation in a battle or campaign. The luncheon is truly an amazing experience and to have so many veterans of all races, backgrounds and ages in one room together is incredible!

We take opportunities for our veterans to speak at schools, churches and local organizations, sharing their stories and educating children and others. Our veterans may speak about a number of topics such as their combat experiences, supporting combat operations, post traumatic stress disorder, transitioning from the military back to civilian life and many others.

In addition to our community engagement program is our mobile museum. Inside the trailer we have pictures on the wall of Roll Call members representing every era of service from World War II to present. The pictures on the wall and the stories in the binders are those of local North Texas area veterans. Brave men and women who, at one point in their lives, wrote a blank check made payable to The Unites States of America, for an amount up to and including his or her life. Every one of them has a story, and every story is important. Our mobile museum is an integral part of how Roll Call shares those stories. We also have military memorabilia from every era back to WWII. We couldn’t possible display all we have at one time, so each time we take our museum to an event you are likely to see something a little different.

Our volunteers visit our veterans at home, in hospital or in rehab; drive them to appointments; show appreciation by spending time with them and learn about their service experience; take them out to lunch or for coffee and identify those in need of assistance to be able to connect them with appropriate resources when needed.  

We take our veterans to many events in the local area where they are honored for their service. The Armed Forces Bowl, AMA Supercross races, Dallas Cowboy games and Wings Over Dallas Airshow are just a few of the many events where our veterans have been recognized. We even had several veterans honored on a national television broadcast of the NHL thanks to the Dallas Stars!

In addition to connecting our veterans in need with the appropriate outside agencies, we also gather our volunteers and help out whenever we can. We have helped clean and mow a yard, replace a washing machine and build a wheelchair ramp just to name a few.  

Our veterans  assist other local by volunteering to be mentors to the Justice Involved Veterans Treatment Court (JIV). JIV Veterans  who are currently facing prosecution for one or more criminal cases are offered a treatment option that is judicially supervised. It is designed to divert JIV out of the traditional criminal justice process and into appropriate rehabilitative alternatives. Once the JIV has been screened, assessed and approved for participation in the program, they will promptly begin a treatment regimen that is specific to his/her needs.

We have the Mail Call program which is another way Roll Call honors their veterans by sending birthday, get well, and thank you cards, as well as cards for other special occasions. It is a small gesture to make the veterans feel appreciated. 

We look toward the future and great possibilities of more growth and maybe one day a facility and sponsorships that will grow with us. We must continue learning from these inspirational true stories of heroism and make sure their sacrifices are not forgotten.