The West Suburban Foundation for Disabled Veterans (WSFDV) will celebrate its 20th anniversary in style this summer, hosting a daylong event featuring actor and veterans’ advocate Gary Sinise and his Lieutenant Dan Band. The concert—dubbed Rockin’ for Our Vets—will take place Saturday, July 12 at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, with gates opening at 2 p.m. and the music kicking off at 6 p.m.
Michelle Santore, co-founder and president of the WSFDV, joined Chicago’s Morning Answer with Dan Proft and Amy Jacobson to preview the event, which promises to be a celebration of community, patriotism, and the enduring sacrifices made by veterans. The show will include performances by the local band Stolen Silver, followed by Gary Sinise and the Lieutenant Dan Band. Food will be provided by Sweet Baby Ray’s Catering, and the event will also feature special guests including Medal of Honor recipients and the iconic Shannon Rovers Pipe Band.
Santore said the foundation has partnered with the Gary Sinise Foundation and Cantigny Park to bring the concert back to the western suburbs. It marks the only Illinois stop for Sinise and his band this year. The concert also coincides with a major milestone—the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army, as well as similar anniversaries for the Navy and Marine Corps.
“This is more than a concert,” Santore said. “It’s a statewide celebration and mental health day for veterans and their families. It’s about honoring service, remembering sacrifice, and giving our veterans a day to relax and feel appreciated.”
The WSFDV was founded two decades ago after two young men from Wheaton made the ultimate sacrifice. One, Sergeant Joel Gomez, returned home paralyzed and later passed away in 2022. The foundation built him a wheelchair-accessible home and has since expanded to help disabled veterans and their families with housing, food, mental health support, and more. The mission, Santore explained, is intentionally broad—allowing the organization to assist veterans in nearly every area of life.
As part of its 20th anniversary celebration, WSFDV will also recognize 20 other veteran-serving charities across Illinois during the event. Those charities reflect the many facets of veterans’ needs, from housing and health care to recreation and reintegration into civilian life.
In addition to general admission tickets, the WSFDV is encouraging supporters to buy “Treat a Vet” tickets, which will be distributed to local veterans through area VFWs and American Legion posts. Group blocks and sponsorship opportunities are also available, and proceeds from the event will directly benefit WSFDV programs.
Tickets are $50 and available now at wsfdv.org. With music, food, special guests, and a celebration of military history at Cantigny—a site that includes the First Division Museum and extensive gardens—this year’s Rockin’ for Our Vets is shaping up to be a highlight of the summer.
Those unable to attend can still support the foundation by donating through the website. WSFDV is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and welcomes both corporate and individual contributions.
For more information and tickets, visit www.wsfdv.org.