President’s Report April 2025
Presidents report for April 2025
Mobile Museum update, With the help of Don Cammus we purchased the new Generator from Home Depot, Don enrolled us in their system to avoid sales tax and got us a discount. I hope to have it installed within the next week. We will be re-creating all the videos on the TV’s, upgrading our video systems plus many other plans we are working on for the 250th Anniversary of the Revolutionary War.
With the help of Bimbo Bakery, the AFHM has been delivering a truck load of bakery goods to the Red Cross at Joint Base every Tuesday. I met with Rich from Bimbo and signed the contract to continue for another year, the only requirement is that we will not sell any of the donations. These donations have not gone unnoticed by the leaders at Joint Base, at meetings I attend many of the Commanders have thanked us for what we are doing. Also, this month I went to Vineland to KRES Freezer and met the owner about a food give away at Christmas. He is 100% on board with the idea, so we will make plans to make it a great event.
Bob Dutko and I welcomed America Legion post 79 to the Lawrence House for their monthly meeting on March 6, from that meeting came an opportunity for sharing a Marine Corps Uniform we have in storage. Stephanie Owens donated her father Major William Max’s uniforms to us. Ron Hathaway dressed a mannequin we have on display and he is going to do another one to be displayed at Post 79 to honor Major Max. It will complete the uniform display for them and it will be a great addition to their beautiful Post.
We are working with Lisa from the Historical Society on a joint program “Honoring the 80th Anniversary of VE and VJ day”. It will be on May 13 with Historians from Joint Base McGuire, Dix, Lakehurst. The subject will be World War II, the AFHM will be presenting a segment on the “Heroes of the War” from our living history videos. The event will run from 9am to 4pm, and the AFHM portion of the event will be right after lunch at 1 pm.
The Veterans Breakfast Club event was a huge success, we had great attendance and participation, Todd ran a program that kept everyone focused and the exit conversations were great. Sandra has some information on that we will discuss Friday at out meeting.
Our AFHM Historian, Dr. Colin Zimmerman presented a program on the History of the local area in Revolutionary War. He spoke to a full house; we ran out of chairs. His knowledge of the small details of the 10 critical days made the story very real. If my history teachers had presented the events like he presented them it would have made US History fun! It was also great to see Rich Hill dressed in his period correct uniform!!! For those who could not attend we will do this again next year. Thank you to the BCHS for the use of the Corson Foley center.
Lisa from the BCHS and I met with Mike Rajeski of Renovation and Repairs Contractors to discuss the complete bathroom renovation we are undertaking. The work will begin in early May and will be done quickly. He has some great ideas for us and it will be a major improvement. Mike provided Lisa with his Insurance and License information so he can get started.
June 25 golf outing plans are moving along quickly. Bob Dutko and I met with the course and finalized the plans. Please reach out to any golfers you know and get them to sign up. The rain date will be on July 9, here is hoping we do not need to use it. We need hole sponsors so please work in your network and help us find more.
On April 23, in conjunction with the Burlington County Historical Society, we hosted the Burlington City Chamber of Commerce. Roy, Sandra, Marvel and I were on hand at the Lawrence House and we received many complements about our displays and content. Doc’s Pub provided great food for all.
Bryan Branson
President
