Veterans Day at Dodona

Marshall Center to Co-Host Annual Veterans Day Commemoration on November 11 at 10:30 a.m.

We invite you to join us for our 19th annual Veterans Day Commemoration next Saturday, November 11 at 10:30 a.m.! This event, cohosted by The George C. Marshall International Center, the Town of Leesburg and Loudoun County, will take place on the grounds of George C. Marshall’s Dodona Manor in historic Leesburg. 

Brig. Gen. Adam C. Volant (U.S. Army, Ret.), former Director of Operations for U.S. Army Information Warfare Command, will be our keynote speaker, reflecting on the meaning of the day and the remarkable contributions of veterans to our community. Vintage military vehicles will be on site for exploration, and Dodona Manor will be open for free tours following the ceremony.

Representatives from VFW Post 1177, American Legion Post 34, the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, the Boulder Crest Foundation and the Loudoun County Public Library will be on hand.

Mom's Apple Pie Company is generously donating delicious cookies for the event. Rain or shine. Free and open to the public (no RSVP necessary). 

Parking is available at the Loudoun County Government Garage on Loudoun Street. Free transportation from the Loudoun County Government Garage to Dodona Manor is provided by Cartwheels. We recommend arriving early and parking by 9:30 a.m. to allow ample time to journey to the ceremony.

"Truly Inspiring": ELC Speakers Reflect on Students’ Appetite for Ethical Leadership

Truly inspiring” … “impactful and empowering” … these are just some of the words guest speakers used to describe their experience engaging with a talented and enthusiastic group of 15 high school students at our fall edition of Five-Star Character: The George C. Marshall Ethical Leadership Conference (ELC).

To offer a fresh perspective on the ELC experience, we asked panelists and speakers who participated in our most recent session – Navy Capt. Benjamin “BJ” Armstrong, Marshall Historian Rachael Yarnell Thompson, Marshall Center Board Members Frances Cox and Robin Milton, and Community Leader Monti Mercer – to offer their thoughts on the program and students. Read More

November 16 Foreign Policy Forum with Jessica Stern

“The State of LGBTQI+ Rights Around the World”

Join us Thursday, November 16 from Noon-1 p.m. ET for a Zoom discussion with Jessica Stern, who serves as the Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI+) Persons. Special Envoy Stern leads U.S. efforts to protect LGBTQI+ persons globally from violence and discrimination.

Prior to joining the Department of State, Stern led Outright International, a global LGBTQI+ human rights organization, as its Executive Director for ten years. At Outright, Stern helped the organization secure observer status at the United Nations, release human rights reports annually, built the world’s largest COVID LGBTQI+ grant-making program and quintupled the organization’s budget. Stern was previously a researcher and advocate at Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the Center for Constitutional Rights.

December 2: Marshall Plan Tree Walk Opening

Tree Lighting Ceremony, Holiday Handbell Performance to Ring in the Season

Dodona Manor’s signature holiday event kicks off on Saturday, December 2, at 4:30 p.m. with our annual outdoor tree lighting ceremony. Bundle up and join us for hot apple cider and s’mores (courtesy of Purely Picnics VA) while exploring our 17 beautifully decorated trees, each representing a European nation that participated in the Marshall Plan.

This year we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of Secretary Marshall’s acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, 1953. Please join us to mark this historic moment.

We are adding a special element to our opening festivities with a handbell performance of holiday favorites by Music to Free, a non-profit performance group that brings handbell programs to low/fixed-income senior living centers, veteran rehabilitation programs and addiction treatment programs.

The event is free, open to the public and perfect for kids and families.

Brighten Your Tree

2023 Ornament Celebrates 70th Anniversary of Marshall’s Nobel Prize

Add the 2023 Marshall Center ornament to your collection!

In honor of the 70th Anniversary celebration of George C. Marshall’s acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize, this year’s ornament features a replica of “the most prestigious prize in the world.”

Volunteer Profile: Richard “Rick” Rhoades

Richard “Rick” Rhoades has served as a docent at Dodona Manor for seven years. “My job is to bring Marshall and Katherine to life. To explain what an extraordinary person he was, how he impacted our country’s history and demonstrate his life of talented, selfless service,” Rick says. 

What is your favorite part of the work you do? 

I love telling the personal stories of the man and his impact on our country’s history. I have also enjoyed the deeper study of his history. 

What attracted you to volunteer? 

I had known of Marshall from my Army career. In fact, I studied his teaching methods at Fort Benning when I was in charge of officer instruction there myself. I saw a newspaper ad after moving here. Tom Mulrine gave my wife and I a superb tour – his knowledge of Marshall really brought history to life. I wanted to be able to do that.

Why do you think it is important to preserve and share the legacy of General Marshall? 

I know of no other man like him. He was such a powerful intellect and gifted leader, who had so much impact – whether selecting the fighting leaders of our country for WWII or saving, restoring and uniting the European countries after the war.

Which part of General Marshall’s life history resonates with you the most?

His organizational skills and leader selections in WWII. I point out to people that every famous general they have heard of from WWII was put in that position by Marshall. Subsequently, however, I have come to deeply respect his enormous effort to convince a skeptical American public and Congress to support the European Recovery Plan.

Thank you, Rick. We are grateful for all you do!

Interested in becoming a volunteer? Learn more and apply today!

Giving Tuesday is November 28

Mark your calendars for GivingTuesday on November 28 and be ready to give where you live.

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.

Learn more about supporting our work and how to join as a member!