After Stroke, Retired Army Officer Still Opens Hangar Doors to Honor Veterans

Retired U.S. Army Col. Charles “Chuck” Millar built a small airfield west of Maricopa after leaving the service and turned it into the Vietnam Aviation Veterans of Arizona museum. He lined its hangars with aircraft and memorabilia from the Vietnam era through the First World War inspired by a desire to give veterans—especially those from the Vietnam War—the recognition they didn’t receive when they came home. Over the years, the collection expanded to honor service members from all branches and eras, and Millar’s focus became preserving and sharing stories of military aviation history.

The private airstrip hosts regular fly‑ins and car shows that draw pilots and gearheads from across Arizona. Visitors stroll among vintage bi‑planes and Korean War–era helicopters while families watch aircraft come and go. Events often include breakfast in the hangar and entertainment from live bands; at one fly‑in a British Spitfire roared just above the runway and a 16‑piece big band performed for the crowd. Millar and volunteer coordinator Mike Kerr treat the gatherings as community picnics: admission is free, there are activities for children, and proceeds from vehicle registration fees go to charity.

Millar’s generosity extends beyond these public events. A longtime member of the local aviation community, he has been known to give rides in a World War II half‑track and share fruit from the orchard he planted as a windbreak around the airfield. He rarely accepts donations, telling volunteers that if he has money left at the end of the week something must be wrong. This ethos has earned him a loyal following among veterans and pilots who line up “wingtip to wingtip” to support his efforts.

In addition to preserving history, Millar has been quietly donating hardware for future aviators. Two surplus helicopters from the Vietnam era have been given to his museum, and a third fully functional aircraft is expected to arrive soon. These machines will be used as teaching aids for programs like the ALA Applied Technologies’ Aviation Academy. 

Recently Millar suffered a stroke that affected his right side and made conversation difficult, according to friends. Despite the setback he still lives on the airport grounds and remains involved. His neighbor Mike Noel has taken over most of the communication and logistics and is the best point of contact to check whether Millar feels up to visitors. Noel coordinated a recent operation in which Millar helped load helicopters onto flatbeds and ensured that everything ran smoothly.

In the midst of his recovery, Millar offered a generous invitation: local students are welcome to visit the Veterans Museum at his airfield on West McDavid Road for a hands‑on history lesson. There is no admission charge. The exhibit space displays military vehicles, uniforms, photographs and artifacts spanning multiple wars. and pupils can get a feel for aviation history by exploring helicopters and airplanes up close. Teachers interested in arranging a field trip should coordinate through Mike Noel to respect Millar’s health and schedule.

Millar’s life story is a lesson in resilience. A California native, he moved to Arizona in the late 1960s to study military science at Arizona State University and was commissioned as an officer. Although he trained tank crews rather than pilots, he earned his pilot’s license after leaving the Army and bought land near Maricopa in 1985 to build his private airstrip. Over the past four decades he has hosted countless fly‑ins, built a museum that honors service members from multiple eras, and offered his time and resources to educate the community.

Now, even as he recuperates, Millar continues to share that passion. His museum stands as a living classroom where students can learn about the sacrifices of veterans and the evolution of aviation, and his friends are committed to helping him keep it open to the public.