Honoring Nearly 2 5 0  Years of U.S. Service

A M E R I C A ’ S  M I L I T A R Y  A N D  1 S T  R E S P O N D E R S  M U S E U M  H O N O R S
N E A R L Y  2 5 0  Y E A R S  O F  U . S . S E R V I C E

by Chris Rozansky
Executive Director Naples Airport Authority

For almost twenty years, the America’s Military and 1st Responders Museum, formerly known as the Naples
Museum of Military History, has been dedicated to preserving the stories and memories of American veterans and conflicts. The museum’s location at the airport is significant, tracing back to its establishment in 1943 as the Naples Army Airfield, where it trained fighter pilots for World War II. Supporting the museum holds personal significance for me, as my wife served as a Navy officer for 20 years.

Initially launched as a mobile exhibit, the Naples Airport has been the museum’s home since 2011. With over 12,000 artifacts spanning from the Revolutionary War to present-day conflicts, the museum bridges the gap between visitors and the armed forces who have safeguarded our freedom for nearly two and a half centuries.

Thanks to community support, the museum’s collection has expanded significantly, necessitating a new 12,000- square-foot facility near the upcoming veteran’s nursing home in Collier County. The remodeling of this facility, estimated to take up to two years, will allow for better display of the extensive collection, including a tank, as the museum continues to evolve and honor the stories of our military personnel.

While everyone at the Naples Airport will be sad to see them leave the airport on a full-time basis, we will continue to support and host the museum at the airport while the new space is being prepared. We are committed to honoring our past as an Army Air Base by continuing to find ways to support and work with the museum in the future.

The museum, staffed by a group of veteran volunteers, is open daily and is currently located at the Naples Airport’s North Road Terminal at 500 Terminal Drive, Naples, FL 34104.

For more information or to learn how to support the museum and their mission, please visit https://amfrm.org Want to learn more about the Naples Airport? For a tour of the airport, or to arrange for a speaker at your group’s next meeting, call (239) 643-0733.