Area veterans and community invited to the Millville Army Air Field Museum’s
25th Annual Veterans Appreciation Day on November 7.
The Millville Army Air Field Museum (MAAFM) will pay tribute to our nation’s veterans on Saturday, November 7—starting at 10 a.m. with an 11 a.m. ceremony and noon luncheon—at its 25th annual Veterans Appreciation Day, at 1 Leddon Street, Millville Executive Airport. All veterans are invited to attend and be honored. The event is open to the public and free of charge, but donations are always welcome.
“Our museum is proud to have hosted 25 years of Veterans Appreciation Day celebrations—honoring all veterans for their service to our country,” says Lisa Jester, MAAFM executive director. “We owe our veterans a debt of gratitude for the many contributions they have made to secure our freedoms, and we will continue to honor and thank them.”
Guest speaker for this year’s event is Millville, New Jersey, native Col. Charles H. Pangburn, III (Ret.) who currently serves on the museum’s advisory board. Col. Pangburn completed 30 years of distinguished active and reserve service, with a wide range of leadership and legal roles. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Pangburn served numerous command positions throughout the United States and overseas, including Okinawa, Korea, and Iraq.
“It is a great honor to have Col. Pangburn return to Millville to speak at our Silver Anniversary Veterans Appreciation Day,” says Jester. “We are excited to learn about his many experiences in the military and to thank him for his dedicated service.
“This year we recognize the 85th Anniversary of America’s First Defense Airport, our World War II history here at Millville Airport. “The Millville Army Air Field played a remarkable role in America’s history, serving as the first vital defense installation and continuing as a training ground for more than 10,000 servicemen who came here from across the country,” explains Jester.
Verna Herman, owner of Verna’s Flight Line Restaurant and Catering will be honored at Veterans Appreciation Day 2026, for her many contributions to the MAAFM and the community. RIGHT: Col. Charles H. Pangburn, III (Ret.), a Millville native, will be the keynote speaker at Veterans Appreciation Day on November 7.
A special presentation will be made to Verna Herman, owner of Verna’s Flight Line Restaurant and Catering. “We are not just honoring Verna for her ongoing support of the museum, although we can’t thank her enough,” notes Jester, “but we recognize her also for the many generous contributions she has made to the entire community. Verna is truly a devoted member of our community—offering time, talent, resources, and love. Verna’s Flight Line Restaurant has been an icon here at Millville Airport for 38 years.”
The museum expects several area World War II veterans and their families to attend the 25th Anniversary Veterans Appreciation Day, giving them the opportunity to share experiences and receive special recognition. Additional WWII veterans and families are encouraged to attend. Please contact the museum by calling 856-327-2347.
Veterans of all American conflicts and peacetime are invited and encouraged to be part of this special day. Keeping with past traditions, Veterans Appreciation Day 2026 will also feature Millville High School students, Cumberland Civil Air Patrol, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Explorers, and the Vineland High School Junior ROTC—welcoming veterans and assisting with activities.
Displays in the museum’s Historic Courtyard include the newly donated fully restored 1954 M38A1 Military Jeep, the Douglas C-47 Skytrain Nose, M603A Tank, a U.S. Navy A-4 Skyhawk, the U.S. Army C-23 Short Sherpa aircraft, the restored original Millville Air Base fire truck, a 1967 M151A1 Jeep, and a 2-1/2 ton military truck.
Additionally, visitors can see the four impressive outdoor murals on site created by the late mural artist Sam Donovan, which tell the history of the Millville Army Air Field during World War II.
The 11 a.m. ceremony will include a presentation of the colors by Semper Marine Detachment 205 of Vineland, and a musical salute to veterans offered by bagpiper Jim Rembisz. Prayers will be offered for veterans both alive and deceased. In commemoration, there will be a wreath laying and moment of silence.
“On behalf of the Millville Army Air Field Museum, we are so proud to present our Veterans Appreciation Day to the public each year,” notes Jester. “Together we recognize and honor the valuable role of all American veterans and thank them for their many contributions and sacrifices.”
The day’s activities feature a free ‘Canteen’ lunch for all visitors, sponsored by Verna’s Flight Line Restaurant and Catering, which donates and prepares all of the food. A special thank you goes to the event’s presenting sponsor, the Delaware River & Bay Authority. Thanks also extended to Wawa, Bottino’s ShopRite, SupplyItAll, English Sewage and Disposal, and Fairfield by Marriott, for their donations that help make this event a success. The museum will remain open until 4 p.m.
