Saluting All Veterans
Guest speaker at 24th annual event in Millville will pay tribute to her father, who served at the Millville Army Air Field.
Semper Marine Detachment 205 of Vineland presented the colors for more than 200 visitors to Veterans Appreciation Day at Millville Executive Airport in 2024.
The Millville Army Air Field Museum (MAAFM) will pay tribute to our nation’s veterans at its 24th annual Veterans Appreciation Day on Saturday, November 1. All veterans are invited to attend and be honored. The event is open to the public and free of charge with donations welcome.
“The museum is proud to salute America’s veterans at our special commemorative event. The 24th anniversary of our Veterans Appreciation Day is certainly something to celebrate,” says Lisa Jester, MAAFM executive director. “We honor our World War II veterans here at America’s First Defense Airport, along with all veterans for their service to our country.”
Guest speaker for this year’s event is Millville native Donna Pio whose father, Staff Sergeant Robert (Bob) D. Goldstine, was a U.S. Army Air Corps World War II veteran who served at the Millville Army Air Field as a P-47 Thunderbolt mechanic. Pio will describe her father’s service and life on the base at Millville, where 10,000 servicemen received training in preparation for participation overseas.
WWII veteran, Staff Seargent Robert (Bob) D. Goldstine. His daughter, Donna Pio of Millville, will speak about her father at Veterans Appreciation Day at the Millville Army Air Field Museum on Saturday.
The museum expects several of the area’s World War II veterans and their families to attend Veterans Appreciation Day, where they will have the opportunity to share experiences and receive special recognition.
Part of the MAAFM’s Veterans Appreciation Day 2025 will include recognizing the founding members of the museum’s new “1941 Society,” which is a membership designed to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the dedication of “America’s First Defense Airport” at Millville on August 2, 1941. That recognition will take place on Saturday in conjunction with a celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States.
Veterans of all American conflicts and peacetime are encouraged to be part of this special day. Contact the museum by calling 856-327-2347.
In keeping with past traditions, Veterans Appreciation Day 2025 will also feature Millville High School students, youth members of the Cumberland Civil Air Patrol, and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Explorers, who will all welcome the veterans and assist with activities.
Displays on the museum grounds will include 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. Also, visitors can view four impressive outdoor murals created by the late mural artist Sam Donovan. They tell the history of the Millville Army Air Field during World War II. The tribute 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 (pictured below). Prayers will be offered for veterans both alive and deceased. In commemoration, there will be a wreath laying and moment of silence.
“Together we recognize and honor the valuable role of all American veterans and thank them for their many contributions and sacrifices,” notes Jester.
The day’s activities feature a free ‘Canteen’ lunch for all visitors, sponsored by Verna’s Flight Line Restaurant and Catering, that donates and prepares all of the food. A very special thank-you goes to the event’s presenting sponsor, the Delaware River & Bay Authority.
Thanks are also extended to Wawa, Bottino’s ShopRite, Angelic Healthcare, SupplyItAll, English Sewage and Disposal, and Fairfield by Marriott, for their donations, which help make the event a success.
24th Annual Veterans Appreciation Day at Millville Army Air Field
Saturday, November 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at MAAFM, 1 Leddon St., Millville Executive Airport
10 a.m. – Museum opens
• Coffee and donuts will be available in the museum courtyard.
• Veterans will be available in the museum throughout the day to share their experiences.
11 a.m. – Veteran Tribute Ceremony in the museum courtyard (between the museum building and the Wyble Research Library, weather permitting)
12 noon to 2 p.m.
• Free canteen lunch for veterans and all visitors.
The museum will remain open until 4 p.m.
