December 2020
News from
George C. Marshall's Dodona Manor
Veterans Day: If It Ain’t Raining, It Ain’t Training
The forecast promised rain, but the George C. Marshall International Center had promised a Veterans Day commemoration. On a wet Wednesday morning in November, staff and volunteers reported for duty. As they say in the military, “If it ain’t raining, it ain’t training.” The cameras were set, the chairs were placed, and the coffee was brewed. Guests sporting raincoats and umbrellas began arriving shortly after 10 a.m. It was time to start, rain or shine. 


The festivities officially began with a welcome from the event’s master of ceremonies, Major Dennis Boykin (U.S. Army, Ret.), followed by a presentation of the colors by the Marine Corps League of Loudoun County, Detachment 1205. Attendees remained standing for the pledge of allegiance and a moving performance of the national anthem by Juliana MacDowell and Michael Gauvreau.

After the Rev. Walter Mullins of St. James’ Episcopal Church offered an invocation, Thomas Greenspon, President Emeritus of GCMIC, extended a warm welcome to the distinguished guests in attendance: U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton, Town of Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk, Chair-At-Large of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Phyllis Randall, Former Leesburg Mayor and Supervisor Kristen Umstattd, Rear Admiral Thomas Lynch (U.S. Navy, Ret.), Lt. Gen. Bruce Crawford (U.S. Army, Ret.). Rev. Mullins and Chairman of GCMIC Board of Directors Stephen Chapin rose for recognition and a round of applause.

Mayor Burk ascended the podium to acknowledge Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1177 Commander Ray Delpesche and his follow post members, members of American Legion Post 34, members of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 227, members of the 3rd Battalion 106 Infantry Regiment of Virginia National Guard, World War II veterans, members of the 167th Airlift Wing from Martinsburg, Judge Thomas Horne and Judge Jeanette Irby.

Burk concluded her acknowledgements by inviting Chair Randall to the podium. Randall reminded attendees about the importance of not only thanking, honoring, and acknowledging the service of veterans, but continuing to help and care for them both mentally and physically.

Lt. Gen. Crawford, a U.S Army veteran and newest board member of GCMIC, ascended the podium to introduce the event’s keynote speaker, Rear Admiral Lynch. After Lynch’s inspiring speech on civic service, Boykin invited members of the armed forces to stand when their service song was performed as part of the Armed Forces Medley.

Rev. Mullins returned to the podium to close the ceremony with a benediction, after which the Marine Corps League of Loudoun County, Detachment 1205, rose once again to retire the colors.

The commemoration concluded with a performance of “God Bless America” by MacDowell and Gauvreau, followed by the closing remarks by Greenspon.

We are grateful to everyone who attended. The event’s success showed us how committed our staff, volunteers, distinguished guests and the citizens of Leesburg are to honor those who served our country in uniform. From all of us at GCMIC: Thank you for your service!
The Stewards of Marshall’s Legacy: Founders, Docents and Volunteers Appreciation Day Event
The Marshall Center saluted those who keep Dodona Manor alive and operating on Nov. 8. The afternoon began with cocktails on the grounds. Guests mingled and exchanged hellos in the sunshine as they prepared to hear from the program speakers.
Master of ceremonies Edmund Rhoads took the podium to officially welcome the attendants to the second annual Founders, Docents and Volunteers Appreciation Day Event. Rhoads is the grandson of B. Powell Harrison, the man who orchestrated the purchase and renovation of Dodona Manor in the 1980s. Without Harrison’s efforts, the property would have been demolished and redeveloped, and the memory of Marshall in Leesburg would have been lost and forgotten.

Rhoads concluded with a special thanks to the stewards of Marshall’s legacy at Dodona Manor and turned the podium over to Lt. Gen. Bruce Crawford (U.S. Army, Ret.), who exhorted his audience to consider the importance of leaving the next generation with a good example, particularly the good example of people like George Marshall.

After Crawford’s remarks, Docent Director Tom Bowers recognized and thanked our docents, the people who continue to make history come alive with the stories of Marshall’s life at Dodona Manor.

Chairman of the Board of Directors Stephen Chapin followed with a special recognition of the supporters, volunteers and board members of GCMIC. In particular, he thanked and acknowledged two of our most valuable collaborators, gardening coordinator Jackie Ellis and landscape architect Leslie Solitario, who have contributed tremendous amounts of time and talent to the maintaining the health and beauty of the grounds at Dodona Manor. Chapin also welcomed two of the newest members of the Marshall Legacy Trust: Marshall Historian Rachel Thompson and GCMIC President Emeritus Thomas Greenspon, who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in supporting and giving to the Center.

The event concluded Greenspon recognizing the founders of GCMIC, announcing the Harrison Heritage Circle donor fund and giving an overview for the projects and events of the coming year.

We are deeply grateful to the founders, docents and volunteers of GCMIC. Without their time and effort, the vision of this organization would remain unrealized. Thank you for all you do to remember, support, and share the life and legacy of George Marshall.
The Marshall Plan Tree Walk Continues until Dec. 31
Join us on the grounds of Dodona Manor for a festive commemoration of the Marshall Plan.

The European Recovery Program was a U.S. effort that supplied nearly $13 billion to help finance rebuilding efforts in Europe in the wake of World War II. This program became known as the Marshall Plan because of George Marshall’s role in recognizing its importance and persuading Congress and the American people of its importance. Nearly 75 years later, the 17 nations that participated in the program continue to enjoy the peace and prosperity it helped secure for them.

To celebrate the success of the Marshall Plan this holiday season, the grounds of Dodona Manor featured trees decorated to represent each of the Marshall Plan nations. The trees are lit every evening from dusk until 9 p.m. for the public to view and enjoy until Dec. 31.
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George C. Marshall International Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.