President’s Report March 2025
Presidents report for March 2025
March has been a busy month with many events and positive things going on for us. Here is list of some of the happenings.
Mobile Museum update: using the grant from Burlington County that Roy Plummer attained and donation from TD Bank we have begun the process of research and planning to upgrade the visual display for the 250th Celebration of the Revolutionary War. Along with the display changes we are going to purchase a new generator system. I will order it, and I’ll install the unit before this season begins. We will be re-creating all the videos on the TV’s, upgrading our video systems plus many other plans we are working on.
Bob Dutko and I welcomed America Legion post 79 to the Lawrence House for their monthly meeting on March 6. The group was impressed by our museum, and we are working to form a relationship with them. They are right across High St. from the Lawrence house. Their Commander John Lowden took Bob and me on a tour of their Post, and it is a very historic place, founded over 100 years ago. They will be a good neighborhood partner for us, we have a couple of joint plans already working.
I am working with Lisa from the Historical Society on a joint program “Honoring the 80th Anniversary of VE and VJ day”. It will be held on May 13, 2025, with Historians from Joint Base McGuire, Dix, Lakehurst. The subject will be World War II, the AFHM will present a segment on the “Heroes of the War” from our living history videos. More to come on that next month and we will post details on our website and Facebook.
The Veterans Breakfast Club from Pittsburgh event is coming up fast on April 4. We do not have enough registrations yet and need our team to reach out and have their friends register. The information is on our website and Facebook. We hope to see you at Town and Country Diner in Bordentown at 0900. Just email me to register. bbranblake@aol.com
Our AFHM Historian, Dr. Colin Zimmerman will be doing a presentation on the History of the Revolutionary War from a local surrounding area perspective on April 12 at the Burlington County Historical Society from 2 to 4 PM. His knowledge of local history will make the event one to remember. Please mark your calendar and attend. The address is the Corson-Foley Center, 457 High St. Burlington, NJ.
June 25 Golf outing plans are moving along quickly. Bob Dutko and I are meeting at Cream Ridge on Tuesday April 25th to finalize details and make sure everything is in place. We have golfers reaching out and expect a good crowd, we just need good weather! We need hole sponsors and will be reaching out to members for support that day.
On March 16, Sandra Conville, Marvel Carroll and I attended the 56th Annual Israel Advocacy Event celebrating Heros at Congregation Beth El in Evesham. The AFHM Chairman of the Board of Directors, USAF (Ret) Colonel Nelson Mellitz, former US Jewish War Veterans National Commander, was honored by the Jewish Community Relations Council for his lifetime of support for the Military and his Jewish Community. This prestigious honor was awarded for his continued fortitude and commitment in fighting against antisemitism in the community and throughout the USA. There were many speakers showing the pride and heroism among the Israelites in their ongoing fight in their homeland. The JCRC Jewish Community Relations Council sponsored the event. The keynote speaker Rudy Rochman gave us a riveting 45-minute discussion on his life and service in the Jewish Defense League. He now lives and works in America and on Oct. 8.2023 received a text to report to his unit in Israel. He spent the next 6 weeks in Gaza searching for hostages and keeping his homeland secure. Nelson recognized the AFHM from the podium and told the hundreds in attendance about our mission, museum and Mobile unit, he recited our mission statement well! All in all, a great evening honoring great patriots.
Thank you,
Bryan Branson
President
Armed Forces Heritage Museum
267-535-0433
Bryan.branson@afhmus.org
