Upcoming Events

• 12/4/24 Book Club: “Tyranny of the Minority"
• 12/7/24 Marshall Plan Tree Walk Lighting Ceremony
• 1/15/25 “Battle of Fallujah" with David Taylor
• 1/16/25 Foreign Policy Forum: Taiwan
• 2/7/25-2/8/25 Ethical Leadership Conference

Holiday Magic: December 7 Marshall Plan Tree Walk Lighting Ceremony

Family-Friendly Event Celebrates Holiday Season and History Made in Leesburg

Join us Saturday, December 7 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Dodona Manor for our signature holiday event, which combines the magic of the holidays with recognition of the Marshall Plan countries. Seventeen trees, one for each participating nation, will be decorated along the brick walk by the house for all to enjoy until the end of the year.

This year, the Marshall Center is pleased to welcome the Old Dominion Chorus to regale the gathering with a selection of holiday favorites. The French Embassy’s Consul General, Caroline Monvoisin, will deliver remarks on the legacy and relevance of the Marshall Plan today.

The event is free, open to the public and perfect for kids and families. Hot chocolate will be served and a small craft for kids will be available.

Free parking is available at the Loudoun County Garage located at 146 Loudoun St SW, all day on weekends and holidays (and after 5 p.m. on weekdays). The Pennington Parking Lot and Garage located at 210 Church St NE also offers free parking 24/7.

Order Your 2024 Holiday Ornament – Available Today! 

Remember and celebrate with our special 2024 Holiday Ornament – the perfect keepsake for the season!

This year’s ornament honors a moment of resilience and hope during a difficult hour 80 years ago. As Christmas 1944 approached, thousands of GIs were pinned down in the Ardennes forest by German forces who had launched their final desperate counterattack, now known as the Battle of the Bulge. Despite the harsh conditions, they endured and found holiday comfort – even if it was just an unexpected serving of hot chow.

United in Gratitude: Veterans Day 2024 Highlights

Marshall Historian Rachel Thompson Presented with Commending Resolution

On Monday, November 11, the Marshall Center welcomed over 275 guests – including veterans, families and community leaders – for our 20th Annual Veterans Day Commemoration, which we are always proud to co-host with the Town of Leesburg and Loudoun County.

Ken Falke, Founder & Chairman of Boulder Crest Foundation and a 21-year veteran of the U.S. Navy Special Operations Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), delivered the program’s keynote address.

“Most of us will be veterans longer than we served,” Falke said. “Veterans become leaders. They become mentors and role models. They share their experiences and insights, guiding others within the wisdom forged in the Crucible of their service.”

Thank you to our generous sponsors, supporters and friends who made this wonderful day possible: Monoc Securities, LMI, EIT 2.0, 155 Strategies, Bank of Clarke, Fortinet Federal, McCandlish Lillard, Presidential Bank, Dr. Edgar Hatrick III, Shirley Pearson, AUSA George Washington Chapter and the Loudoun County Public Library.

Check out coverage of the event by Loudoun Now and the Loudoun Times-Mirror.

Marshall Historian Rachel Thompson Presented with Commending Resolution

The Veterans Day ceremony featured the presentation of a General Assembly resolution of commendation honoring Marshall Center Historian Rachel Yarnell Thompson for her remarkable legacy of service. The commendation, which was authored by Delegate Marty Martinez and presented by Delegate Kannan Srinivasan, recognizes Thompson’s efforts to make the Marshall Center a leading historical institution in Loudoun County. 

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Rachel!

Ethical Leadership Conference February 7-8

Calling Future Leaders – Applications Open!

On Friday, February 7 and Saturday, February 8, the Marshall International Center will host our 2025 winter session of our FREE in-person Ethical Leadership Conference (ELC) for high school juniors and seniors. This unique learning experience is perfect for students who want to make a difference by leading with integrity and inspiring others.

December 4 Book Club: “Tyranny of the Minority”

Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt

Join us on Wednesday, December 4 from Noon – 1 p.m. ET for a Zoom discussion of “Tyranny of the Minority” by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt. In this New York Times bestseller, Levitsky and Ziblatt make their case that we must reform American politics and political institutions before it’s too late.

“It’s a daunting task, but we have remade our country before—most notably, after the Civil War and during the Progressive Era. And now we are at a crossroads: America will either become a multiracial democracy or cease to be a democracy at all.” – Penguin Random House

End-of-Year Giving: Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)

December 3 is Giving Tuesday!

This #GivingTuesday, we hope you will consider supporting the George C. Marshall International Center and our work to bring to life the timeless values of selfless service and unwavering integrity to develop visionary leaders worldwide.

The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), an OPM initiative, is one of the largest and most successful workplace fundraising campaigns in the world

Current and former federal employees can make recurring or one-time donations to the George C. Marshall International Center via CFC's online giving system by entering our CFC number, 51415 (through January 15, 2025).



Whether you plan to support the Marshall Center or another worthy cause close to your heart, your generosity is appreciated!