President’s Report November 2025
November 2025 Presidents report
It has been a very quiet month at Joint Base due to the Government shutdown. There were many events we were planning on being part of that did not happen. Things should now slowly return to normal. There is a large food insecurity project going on right now on MDL, Sen. Singleton asked me to join him in procuring items for the program. I have reached out to my contacts, and we are working on a plan to do something in December. The Senator has broken the code that now allows him to distribute food directly to the military on base property. The logistics of this are still up in the air. I will let folks know as details work out.
On October 27, we took the Mobile Museum to Jasna Polana CC for the “Birdies for the Brave” event. It was a perfect Fall day, and we met many great people. We used our Slice credit card reader, Venmo and took cash as we sold 93 50/50 tickets. Once again, Marvel hit that out of the park.
The Annual Dinner was a success on Nov. 8 at O’Conner’s. It was well attended, great entertainment, good food and lots of great conversation. We honored both Bob Dutko and Bob Von Bargen for their years of dedicated service to our organization. Senator Singleton awarded them Proclamations from the State of New Jersey; his presentation talks were on point with his history with the AFHM and long relationships with the honorees. General Dutko told us he did not want another plaque, so we awarded them both a beautiful acrylic desktop display thanking them for their years of service to our organization. (It was not a plaque.)
On November 11, Veterans Day, Roy Plummer arranged an event at Carlucci’s as a fundraiser for the AFHM. We had great entertainment, and a good time was had by all.
Dr Lewis Wetstein donated 12 beautiful chairs to us for our Conference room. Joe Tilghman and I went to Freehold for the pickup and with the help of our members we got them upstairs and they look outstanding. They are a great addition and very comfortable. Thank you, Lewis, and stay warm in Florida.
On October 15, The AFHM was invited to the Masonic Hall in Burlington for a luncheon honoring Veterans. We had two speakers from WW2 who had great stories to tell. We took the Mobile Museum, sold 50/50 and dazzled a few people who had never seen the display, two of the ladies in attendance spent 15 minutes observing and discussing the history of our Military in NJ.
MSgt. Crystal Malsom spoke to us about the 514th Air Wing and her volunteer project of running the “Attic” donation center on the Base. She filled us in on their needs, and possibly we can help them with donations. Reach out if you have items to donate, clothes are always in demand, furniture, small appliances etc. are also needed. The Joint Base welcomes new families on a constant basis, many arrive with minimal furniture and the basics to set up a home. If you have items laying around, consider a donation to the “Attic”. The email is jbmdlatticdb@gmail.com They cannot accept used mattresses, used bed pillows, car seats, preowned helmets, old appliances and tube TVs. Contact the website to discuss pickup or drop off if you have Base access. I passed on to the Attic a house full of furniture from a home the family was cleaning out after the loss of their mother. Keep these things in mind, the need is real and we can make a difference with an email. If you have a picture of a piece of furniture you want to donate, send it to me and it will get on the McGuire Facebook page.
As a side note, on October 23rd I hosted MSgt. Malsom, her father and stepmother at the Lawrence House. Dennis and I graduated in 1967 from Nampa High School in Nampa, Idaho. Her stepmother Peggy was our classmate; she taught history in Idaho, and the Lawrence House gave her some insight about the Revolutionary War. Like many, Peggy did not know how important Petticoat Bridge and Iron Works Hill were to the success of Gen. Washington’s attack on Trenton. They really enjoyed the museum and danced to our old radio in the WW2 room.
Our Black History Month speaker series presentation will be on February 8 at the BCHS, Bob vonBargen will work with Ron Hathaway to formulate the plans and to select the material for presentation. I will work with Bob Dutko to get a keynote speaker. Much more to come on this, mark your calendars please.
Update: Last month we discussed a Woman Veterans Expo where they could bring their uniforms, and memorabilia to display, tell stories and just be together. Lisa from the BCHS has set a date for March 8 for an event during Women’s history month. The AFHM and the BCHS will work together with the “South Jersey Women Veterans” team make this event a success. Constance Cotton and her team have lots of great ideas and working with them in the future will bring great rewards for all of us.
The Chapel of 4 Chaplains is asking for sock donations for the Christmas season. Nelson Mellitz and I will head up the project, so please grab some socks when you go to the box store etc. Homeless Vets in Philadelphia ask for them all winter long. Please help with this great project. Please bring them to our next meeting on November 20.
The Mobile Museum 250th Revolutionary War changeover is now happening. John Lowden, George San Roman and I took the TV’s and backdrop down yesterday. The Ladies from M & C Graphics were there to do some measurements for panel size. Now they are working on structure and layout, hoping to have it all completed by Dec. 31. It will look great and be ready for the 250th celebrations over the next few years.
We continue selling our 50/50 tickets for the drawing on December 12th at our Christmas party. Please keep up the effort in making this year’s prize higher than last years!!! We have to commend Marvel Carrol for her efforts in sales, she is a ‘sales machine’ at all of our events. No one gets by without hearing “We are selling 50/50 tickets”. Great work and thank you!!!
Thank you,
Bryan Branson
President AFHM
