Presidents Report January 2026
January 2026 Presidents report
Happy New Year to all! Here is hoping everyone had a great Holiday season and looking forward to a healthy 2026 for all.
The transformation of the Mobile Museum to the new 250th Semi quincentennial theme is a huge success, the reveal at the Princeton battlefield reenactment on January 4 proved to be the perfect test. We welcomed hundreds of people to view the changes and got solid reviews from all. I spoke with a professor from Princeton University who thanked us for staying correct to the true history of the 10 crucial days leading up to the Princeton battle. After that conversation I knew we did it right. There are many people to thank for the 10-month project, the members of the AFHM team who contributed hundreds of hours. Colleen and Marianne of M & C Designs did an awesome job of getting engaged with the design and setup, we spent many hours with them brainstorming and going over the changes. They also braved the elements with me, installing the huge panels in the freezing cold the week before Christmas. AFHM member Meridith Barnes gave us permission to use her collection of photographs of Revolutionary War reenactors; with her help we settled on the best ones for our story. Mike Rajeski and his team built the structural wall behind the large TV to mount the new panels, they made other repairs on the trailer and helped with the TV mountings. Mike Russell of the Princeton Battlefield Society got permission for us to attend the reenactment and provided their educational video. Coupled with George San Roman’s “My America”, the two clips played for the large audience to see.
George also produced a 28-minute video on the Revolutionary War which will premiere at our Friday meeting this week. This video will be featured on the Mobile Museum at future events.
We are working on the schedule for the Mobile Museum this year, so far there are many including three all the way out in December 2026. I would appreciate any ideas of 250th related events so we can try to be involved, please feel free to let me know if you have ideas.
I attended a Legislative District 7 Veterans Advisory Committee meeting in November. Assemblywoman Carol Murphy briefed us on plans for additional housing for homeless Veterans in Burlington County. She also briefed us on VA approval on an exciting new drug treatment for PTSD. Hopefully this can bring some help to many Veterans who are suffering. If anyone has any Veteran related issues, let me know, I can direct you to the people who can help.
The merge with the TB McGuire foundation is moving along. Their by-laws are being modified to make the changeover easier, as soon as that is finalized and approved by their members, the transition will be completed.
With the help of Lisa Fox Pfieffer from the BCHS, and in compliance with the electrical codes we replaced all the extension cords in the Lawrence House with Surge Suppressor power strips.
Don Cammus and I visited the NJ Air Victory museum at the So. Jersey Regional Airport. The museum has display items that they would like to donate due to space constraints to Veterans Organizations, such as uniforms and memorabilia. If anyone knows who might need items like this, let us know and we can set up a visit
Our annual Christmas party at O’Connor’s Restaurant was a great event, lots of great friends and good food, Kelly Atkinson and Ron Hathaway of the Montford Point Marines honored Bob Dutko and Bob Von Bargen for their dedication and support. Well deserved!
We also pulled the 50/50 raffle ticket winner; the winner was a very excited lady who purchased her ticket at a table event. She won over $6,600. Sandra and Marvel presented the check at a luncheon at O’Connors.
On December 13th, we attended the reenactment of the Petticoat Bridge Skirmish which began the 10 Crucial Days. Of the Revolutionary War. We met Adam Zielinski, President of the Rev. War Alliance of Burlington County; he drew the battlefield. maps now displayed in the Mobile Museum. He invited us to bring the trailer to the December 2026 event. It will be a perfect place to show off our work
I have been participating in events at the 514th Air Wing working with Commander Col. Amundson and the Base Historian on a Spring family event that will include our trailer, providing a great opportunity for 50/50 raffle ticket sales.
February 22, 2026–Mark your calendar for our presentation of “The Right to Fight” at the Burlington County Historical Society -Corson Poley Center. The event will start at 2 pm.
I recently had dinner at the home of the Commander of the 21st Air Force, Major General Cole. We spoke about our organization and discussed a Base wide celebration of the 250th. A possible reenactment on Doughboy field is being considered, if it does happen, we will be part of it.
Remember, if you have any ideas where we can display our newly updated Mobile Museum, let us know.
Thank you,
Bryan Branson, President
Armed Forces Heritage Museum
