President’s Report September 2025
September 2025 Presidents Report
At our executive meeting on August 19, we discussed some important issues I want to share.
We discussed looking for a financial officer to take over the day-to-day activities that Don Cammus now performs.
Roy and Don are working on a County Grant for Mobile Museum expenses in 2025 to cover what is expected to be a busy 250th celebration season.
I signed a no-cost contract with Slice that will provide us with two credit card readers for donations at all events.
Don Cammus let us know that the Bordentown Elks are looking for donations for the Vineland Veterans home for Veterans Day. They need socks, tissues, games, puzzles, and candy. I have started collecting some items already. If you have anything you would like to donate, we will deliver to the Elks in early November. Sandra, Joanne and Lois are going to help with this. We approved $200 to go towards items, feel free to collect and donate items as you can.
August 23, we had a great event with the Mobile Museum at Lake Juliana with Vito Cardinale of Adventure Crossing, honoring Veterans and special needs individuals. We had 8 of our members attend and we had an enjoyable day together. Vito provided food and drink for all, the enjoyment of the fisherman and their families was great to see.
On September 6 and 7, I attended the Unit training for the 514th Air Wing. This was my first event with my new Honorary Commander role. I offered the use of the Lawrence House Conference room for off-base meetings and tours for all. There are 1700 members of the unit, so I have a lot of people to get to know. We have MSgt. Crystal Malsom coming to speak to us this week about the unit and her volunteer project of running the “Attic” donation center on the base. She will fill us in on the needs and possibly we can help them with items we have to donate.
Our committee working on the upgrade of the Mobile Museum is making great progress to be ready for next year. Sandra and I met with M and C design to measure and discuss the replacement panels and our timeline. We will take the old panels down Nov. 17 so we can get accurate sizes for the replacement panels. M and C will be ready to produce the new pieces, and we will be ready for the Princeton Battlefield reenactment on Jan. 4, 2026. I have provided Michael Russell of the Princeton Battlefield trust with information to get approval to attend the event. He needs Committee approval for us to be there.
On September 10, I was invited to attend a roundtable on Veterans affairs for the 7th Legislative District at the office of Assemblywoman Majority Whip Carol Murphy. Our group had great dialog and passed along ideas on Veteran’s needs. The meetings will become quarterly events, and she has given the group the names of the 7th Legislative District Veteran Advisory Committee.
I was approached after the meeting by a group looking for a place to have a Woman Veterans Expo where they could bring their uniforms, and memorabilia to display, tell stories and just be together. I reached out to Lisa, and we will be using the BCHS building on a future date that we must agree on. It will start small to formulate a plan, and during Women’s History Month in March, the AFHM and the BCHS will sponsor a larger event. Constance Cotton is the leader of the group; she attended the opening of the Lawrence House 3 years ago and shows a real interest in joining our organization. Stay tuned for what I see is a great opportunity.
On September 11, the AFHM attended a 9/11 Memorial event in Chesterfield at their new 9/11 Memorial. Don Cammus, John Lowden and Regina Arcuri attended to represent us. It was a well-run event. The keynote speaker from the 87th Civil Engineer Sqd. from the Joint Base, was Chief Master Sgt. Francis Mitokpe. He told the story of winning the lottery in his West African Country at age 18. The lottery was to come to America and join the US Air Force. His story of service to the country he loves was inspiring. He will retire this year after 20 years of service and has opted to stay here to serve the Community as a Town Manager. One of the sponsors of the event worked on the 97th floor of the North Tower and was late to work that day because of a doctor’s appointment. So many memories were shared. The AFHM will be back next year!!!
On September 16, 2025, Ron Hathaway and I represented our organization at the funeral and interment of our life member Dr. Thomas Cathers, who passed away Sept. 4 at home. Ron, Marvel and I also attended his viewing. His son Thomas told us how much his dad enjoyed his time with the AFHM and had shared with his family that he would soon begin helping to tow the Mobile Museum with his Ford F-250 pickup. He was looking forward to doing some training with me to learn how to safely do it. Thomas was a member of the 108th Air Wing in vehicle maintenance when Brig. Gen. Robert Dutko (Ret) was Commander of the Air Wing. Thomas was an ASE Certified Master Diesel Mechanic (Automotive Service Excellence) and taught at Monmouth County Vocational School. Thomas was a journaler who kept a diary from most of his life events. I watched him take notes at all the Veteran meetings we attended together. His son told me the journals have always been off limits, but he now is beginning to read these. He plans on writing a book of his Father’s life events. He told me the Vietnam journal is riveting. Thomas told me years ago that he journals to remember and review important information for future reference. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him, a real gentleman and friend to all.
Rest in peace Tom, we now have the watch.
Respectfully submitted,
Bryan Branson
President AFHM
