Verna Herman, owner of the popular Verna’s Flightline Restaurant at the Millville Airport, is the March recipient of the Millville Chamber of Commerce’s Outstanding Citizen Award.
 
Herman has owned the restaurant for the past 16 years, and previously worked there for 10 years.
 
“I have been dealing with Verna for over 15 years and what comes to mind when I think of Verna is generosity,” said Lisa Jester, Executive Director of the Millville Army Air Field Museum.
 
“Verna has been very supportive of our museum over the years and has donated so much of her time and lunches to our veterans. Whenever we call Verna, she is always there to go above and beyond our expectations. She is a true friend to our museum, and we are very fortunate to have her as part of the Millville Army Air Field Museum’s family.”
 
“Verna is a generous and joyful giver,” said the Rev. Dr. Howard Marshall, former Associate Pastor at First United Methodist Church. “She always carries gift cards to give people hope and a hand up. Her personality and amazing smile are a gift of love she shares with everyone. Verna is compassionate and caring, which she demonstrates in the many ways she becomes involved in helping others.”
 
Marshall pointed out that last year and this year Verna has cooked and delivered meals for the homeless who come to the Code Blue shelter.
 
“When I think about Verna, I see clearly a woman whose life reflects the love and grace of Jesus,” Marshall said.
 
Verna is the food coordinator for Family Promise, a program which helps displaced persons get back on their feet, she explained. She is also the Evangelism and Outreach Chairperson at First United Methodist Church.
 
But her personal outreach goes far beyond that church. “I really feel that for me giving and forgiving are gifts from God,’’ Verna said.
 
The list of groups and individuals for whom she has provided food is endless. Especially enjoyable to Verna is her close association with the Army Air Field Museum. Making 200 to 300 canteen lunches for the Veterans Day observance at the museum is a labor of love.
 
Verna said that she tries to provide a comfortable atmosphere for her customers, whom she treasures. “We’ve had people who fly into the airport from all over the world.’ ‘she said. “Mike Trout is a regular patron.”
 
The people in Millville have been very supportive, and we want to make them feel at home,” Verna said.
 
Besides working seven days a week at the restaurant, she caters for many events, from small groups to as large as a 900-person event.
 
A native of Millville, Verna lives in Cedarville. She has three daughters and three grandchildren.
 
She is another great example of “Good people doing small things that fulfill great needs”.  

Verna Herman