Marshall Foundation - News and Events

Stimson Center, Marshall Foundation Collaborate on Ground-breaking Middle East Project

The Henry L. Stimson Center and the George C. Marshall Foundation announce a timely, provocative and relevant joint initiative, Pathways to Progress: Peace, Prosperity, and Change in the Middle East.

Drawing on the Marshall Plan legacy, Pathways to Progress will partner with key leaders and institutions in the region to develop ground-breaking solutions and policy options that foster peace and stability, create jobs, and encourage broad-based, inclusive economic growth. Pathways to Progress will cultivate new thinking and creative solutions percolating in the region to promote an active dialogue between United States and the Arab world in which new ideas and innovative thinking flow in both directions.

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Panel on WWII Myths, Misconceptions and Surprises

As part of its Marshall Lecture Series, the Marshall Foundation presented a panel discussion on World War II Myths, Misconceptions and Surprises featuring distinguishing historians Gerhard Weinberg, William Hitchcock and Mark Stoler talking the perceptions and personalities of the time.

Click here to watch the discussion.

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General Gordon Sullivan to receive 2012 Goodpaster Award

Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, USA (Ret.) will receive the Goodpaster Award at a luncheon in Washington on May 30 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Gen. Sullivan will be honored for his distinguished career in the U.S. Army that he concluded as the 32nd Chief of Staff and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and for his leadership of AUSA (Association of the United States Army).

During his Army career, Gen. Sullivan also served as Vice Chief of Staff; Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans; Commanding General, 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Riley, Kansas; Deputy Commandant, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and Assistant Commandant, U.S. Army Armor School, Fort Knox, Kentucky. His overseas assignments included four tours in Europe, two in Vietnam and one in Korea.

He is the co-author of Hope is Not a Method, which chronicles the enormous challenges encountered in transforming the post-Cold War Army. He serves on the boards of several major corporations. He is chairman of the Board of Trustees of Norwich University; a director of the Institute of Defense Analyses, and a member of the Council of Advisors of the Marshall Foundation. General Sullivan has been President and COO of AUSA since 1998.

The Goodpaster Award

The Andrew J. Goodpaster Award honors the life and service of General Andrew J. Goodpaster, a longtime trustee and chairman of the Foundation, a champion of the Marshall legacy, an American hero and an extraordinary public servant. The Andrew J. Goodpaster Award is presented to Americans in a variety of fields who, like General Goodpaster, have exhibited great courage, selfless service, patriotism and leadership in their lives and careers.

For more information call Rick Drake at (540) 463-7103, ext. 137 or email to edrake@marshallfoundation.org.

Pulitzer prize-winning cartoonist Joel Pett to open Herblock Exhibit

Joel Pett, who is the Pulitzer Prize–winning editorial cartoonist for the Lexington Herald-Leader in Lexington, Kentucky, will discuss editorial cartoons and the work of Herblock now on display in the Marshall Museum.

His talk on October 6 begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Pogue Auditorium at the Marshall Foundation. The Marshall Foundation is located on post at VMI. The public is invited to attend. A reception will follow.

Joel Pett says the legendary Herblock is one of his heroes. Herbert Block (his real name) was also an award-winning cartoonist. He produced humorous, witty cartoons for The Washington Post for more than 70 years until his death in 2001. The exhibit that features his work deals with topics such as the president, politics, the environment, education, civil rights and national security. He caricatured 13 U.S. presidents and illustrated the national and international scene from the stock market crash of 1929 through the summer of 2001. He was the most honored cartoonist of his time.

For more information call Leigh McFaddin at (540) 463-7103, ext. 138 or email to mcfaddinlh@marshallfoundation.org.

Marshall Papers Project Receives NHPRC Funding

The Marshall Papers project has received funding from the Historic Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) with a grant award of $44,000 for 2011-2012. Funding supports completion of editing volume 6 of The Papers of George Catlett Marshall, scheduled to be published in 2011, and editing of the seventh and final volume of the documentary set, slated for submission to the publisher in 2013.

Chief of Staff Dempsey Dedicates Marshall Corridor in Pentagon

Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, U.S. Army Chief of Staff, dedicated the opening of the Marshall Corridor in the Pentagon on July 7, 2011.

Marshall Foundation President Brian D. Shaw delivered remarks as well following which Gen. Dempsey and Gen. Edward "Shy" Meyer, USA (Ret.) cut the ribbon to open the display of photographs and text panels to honor the memory of George C. Marshall, who worked in the Pentagon for many years as Chief of Staff during all of World War II and later as Secretary of Defense during the Korean Conflict.

Click here to see photos of the event and short video of the ceremony.

Free Admission to Museum on Sundays, Herblock Exhibit on Display

From now through Labor Day weekend, the George C. Marshall Museum will be open free to all visitors on Sundays, including the upcoming “National Spirit of ’45 Day” that will occur this year on Sunday, August 14 to coincide with the anniversary of the day in 1945 when President Truman declared WWII was over.

The Marshall Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and from 1 PM to 5 PM on Sundays. It is closed on Mondays.

Visitors will be able to see the recently installed political cartoons of Herblock exhibit. This traveling exhibit of the Herb Block Foundation presents five panels displaying reproductions of the work of legendary Washington Post editorial cartoonist Herb Block, famously known as "Herblock." The exhibit will be open through Dec. 17, 2011.

The goal of the exhibit is to promote Herblock's efforts to defend the rights and freedoms of Americans through his political cartoons. The exhibit can be used for teaching or promoting the American topics that reflect Herblock's passions: education, democracy, civil rights, the presidency and evergreen (about the environment). Together all five panels present a fascinating history of Herblock's 72-year career.

In addition the Marshall Museum offers free admission any day through Labor Day 2011 to all active duty military personnel and their families through the Blue Star Museum program. Blue Star Museums is a partnership among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families–an organization that raises awareness of the challenges and strengths of military family life–and more than 1,500 museums in the U.S.

Marshall Museum to Celebrate 70th Anniversary of the Jeep

Seventy years after Army Chief of Staff Gen. George C. Marshall authorized production of the new general purpose vehicle, now known as the Jeep, Chrysler is commemorating the anniversary with a limited edition 2011 version that will be on display on the VMI Parade Ground on July 3 and 4 in Lexington as part of the annual Rotary Balloon Rally.

Marshall’s characteristic foresight allowed him to see the utility of the new transport that is credited with helping the Allies to victory in Europe.

The 2011 Jeep will be joined by a World War II vintage model owned by Art Cusick, of Buffalo Forge.

The Marshall Museum has assembled text and photos to tell the story of Jeep production during WWII. A representative from Chrysler headquarters will be on hand to answer questions about the 70th anniversary edition vehicle.

The Jeep Nukizer 715 concept car will also be on display. The Nukizer 715 is built on the Jeep J8 four-door military platform. Another vintage WWII Jeep is on permanent display inside the Marshall Museum.

The Marshall Museum and Museum Shop will be open Sunday (1 to 5 pm) and Monday (9 am to 5 pm), July 3 and 4. Admission will be free both days. The Marshall Museum is located on the post at VMI across from the parade ground.

The Marshall Museum Shop will be set up on the VMI Parade Ground with tables containing items for sale, including books and Jeep replicas. Visitors can enter a raffle to win a $25 gift certificate also. More books will be for sale along with all other items inside the Museum Shop.

World War II Prison Camp Survivor to Talk at Marshall Foundation

Bataan Death March survivor Col. Glenn Frazier will give a talk in the Pogue Auditorium of the George C. Marshall Foundation, Wed., June 29, at 7 p.m.

A reception and book signing in the Marshall Museum will follow. The public is invited to attend. Frazier wrote the bestselling book Hell’s Guest — 3½ Years as the Emperor’s Guest in Japan’s P.O.W. Camps.

Frazier was one of 40 veterans chosen to be featured in the Ken Burns' miniseries “The War.”

For more information, click here.

Secretary Clinton to Receive 2011 Marshall Foundation Award

The Marshall Foundation will honor Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton with the Marshall Foundation Award at a formal dinner to be held at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC on June 2, 2011.

The Marshall Foundation Award recognizes Secretary Clinton for a career of distinguished public service in the tradition of George C. Marshall, for her dignity and integrity of character, and, like her predecessor George C. Marshall, for her devotion to creating and perpetuating free and democratic institutions and promoting appropriate economic development that will allow them to flourish.

The George C. Marshall Award celebration will bring together 700 to 1,000 foreign and U.S. dignitaries, government officials, business leaders, friends and trustees of the Marshall Foundation, and special guests to honor Secretary of State Clinton.

When Janey Comes Marching Home Exhibit Opens March 8

Professor Laura Browder will discuss her exhibit with photographer Sascha Pflaeging and the resulting book, When Janey Comes Marching Home, about U.S. women combat veterans on March 8 beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Pogue Auditorium.

The public is invited to attend. There is no charge. A reception and book signing will follow. The exhibit will be on display in the Museum lower lobby through June.

Marshall Family Letters Focus of Public Talk

Rachel Thompson will discuss the exchange of letters between George C. Marshall and his family from 1942 to 1958 at the Marshall Foundation on Feb. 17 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Pogue Auditorium. The public is invited to attend. There is no charge. A reception in the Marshall Museum will follow.

Frederick W. Smith Receives George C. Marshall Foundation Award

The Marshall Foundation honored FedEx chairman, president and CEO Frederick W. Smith with the Marshall Foundation Award for his success in building a company that has changed business around the world and for the generous use of FedEx resources to provide humanitarian assistance to countries and regions in need. The award was presented during a luncheon at American Red Cross headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 16.

When accepting the award, Smith said, “I have many times in the past been asked, Who are your role models? Who do you admire most? I have always said the same name: General George C. Marshall....He is unequivocally in my mind the man who saved Western civilization in World War II.”

Marshall Museum Invites Kids, Parents to Holiday Open House

Children, parents, grandparents, guests, holiday shoppers, George C. Marshall fans and those who want to receive an early dose of the holiday spirit are invited to the annual Holiday Open House in the Marshall Museum on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to noon. There is something for everyone. Refreshments will be served.

Admission is free to tour the Museum as well as to attend this special event.

Judith McHale Talks About Public Diplomacy

Delivering the 2010 Frances McNulty Logan Lewis Lecture on Thursday, October 7, Judith McHale, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, said, "In framing the enterprise as a true partnership, Marshall ensured that the Plan [Marshall Plan] would give expression to the best tradition of American leadership. Our European partners responded with alacrity and gratitude. British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin recalled: 'It was a lifeline of sinking men. I grabbed the offer with both hands.' This was just what George Marshall wanted. And today, this is the approach that is informing our engagement with the world."

Marshall Papers Project Receives NEH and NHPRC Funding

The Marshall Papers project has received funding from by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Historic Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) with grant awards of $150,000 over three years and $44,000 for one year, respectively. Funding supports completion of editing volume 6 of The Papers of George Catlett Marshall, scheduled to be published in 2011, and editing of the seventh and final volume of the documentary set, slated for submission to the publisher in 2013.

Former President Gordon Beyer Dies in New Hampshire

Ambassador Gordon Beyer died at home in Peterborough, New Hampshire on June 4, 2010. He served as president of the George C. Marshall Foundation for six years. Before that, he served as a diplomat in the Foreign Service for 28 years, having been posted to Thailand, Japan, Somalia, Tanzania, the United Nations in New York, and Uganda where he was appointed Ambassador. Also he served as deputy commandant of the National War College for two years. He was 79.

General Matthew B. Ridgway Exhibit Opens June 1

Michael Swanson will share his reminiscences about General Ridgway, his former neighbor in suburban Pittsburgh, during a talk on June 1 beginning at 5:30 pm. to open the new exhibit My Battles in War and Peace: General Matthew B. Ridgway at the Foundation.

Tom Ricks Highlights Historians' Meeting

More than 600 military historians attended the 77th annual meeting of the Society for Military History hosted by the Marshall Foundation and VMI over four days at the end of May that was highlighted by Tom Ricks' address on generalship.

Join the Wilson Presidential Library Trip to France

The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library has put together an 8-day trip to American Expeditionary Force Battlefields in France, beginning October 12, 2010. Call the Library at 540-885-0897 for details.

Winn, Roebuck join Marshall Foundation Board

James J. Winn, Jr., Baltimore, and Rep. James R. Roebuck, Jr., Philadelphia, have joined the George C. Marshall Foundation Board of Trustees.

Former Marshall Foundation Director Fred Hadsel Dies

Fred Latimer Hadsel, 94, of Lexington, a career diplomat and retired director (now president) of the George C. Marshall Foundation, died Sunday, April 11, 2010, at his home. He had lived in Lexington since 1974 following his retirement from the foreign service to serve as director of the Marshall Foundation until 1985.

General Tony Zinni: Leaders today must be more strategic

Retired Marine Corps Gen. Anthony Zinni believes there is a leadership crisis in the world, and it is getting worse.

New Museum Hours

The new Marshall Museum hours are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m on Sunday. Visitor Information

Secretary Gates Receives Marshall Foundation Award

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates accepted the Marshall Foundation Award, calling George C. Marshall his hero and inspiration as defense secretary.

Gates said he was humbled to accept the award that memorializes his personal hero at a State Department event celebrating Marshall's life and legacy on the 50th anniversary of his death.

Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr., all currently serving in posts Marshall once held, participated in the ceremony, along with Brent Scowcroft, national security advisor for Presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush.

Click here for more information.

Symposium to Focus on Marshall the Leader

The Marshall Foundation and Virginia Military Institute will co-host a seminar on October 23 and 24 at the Center for Leadership and Ethics at VMI. The symposium, George C. Marshall: Servant of the American Nation, will focus on the remarkable legacy of George Marshall.

Panelists will discuss Marshall as soldier, leader, peacemaker and diplomat. Author and historian Mark Stoler will discuss the Marshall's legacy at lunch on Saturday. Dr. Stoler, editor of The Marshall Papers, is concluding work on the sixth book of a seven-volume set. Former VMI Superintendent Josiah Bunting will deliver the Friday dinner address on "The Mind of Marshall." Gen. Bunting has just finished writing a book on Marshall to be published soon.

Visit www.marshallsymposium to learn more.

Nicholas Thompson to Discuss New Book

Author Nicholas Thompson will discuss The Hawk and the Dove: Paul Nitze, George Kennan, and the History of the Cold War as part of the Marshall Lecture Series on October 20 beginning at 5:30 PM in the Pogue Auditorium. Reception and book signing to follow.

Thompson weaves a fascinating narrative that follows these two rivals and friends from the beginning of the Cold War to its end. In so doing he accomplishes something remarkable: he tells the story of our nation during the most dangerous half century in history.

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New Trustees and Advisors

Christine Carrico, Ph.D., of Derwood, MD; Gen. Richard Cody, USA (Ret.), of Arlington, VA and Walter Kansteiner, of Washington, D.C. will serve three-year terms on the Board of Trustees.

Gen. Edward “Shy” Meyer, USA (Ret.) and former U.S. Sen. Charles W. “Chuck” Hagel have joined the Council of Advisors. Gen. Meyer stepped down as Chairman of the Board after eight years in December 2008. He has been named Chairman Emeritus in recognition of this distinguished service.

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Remembering George Marshall on October 16

The Marshall Foundation will hold a graveside ceremony on October 16 at Arlington National Cemetery to remember George Marshall on the 50th anniversary of his death. That ceremony will be followed by a reception and luncheon at the U.S. Department of State at which U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates will receive the Marshall Foundation Award. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.S. Army Chief of Staff George Casey will also participate.

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Lenfest provides additional support for Marshall Papers

Marshall Foundation Advisor and supporter L. F. "Gerry " Lenfest has committed to a three-year pledge of $250,000 to complete the Marshall Papers project that is now in volume six of a seven-book collection under the direction of Editor Mark Stoler. Mr. Lenfest has been a generous supporter of efforts to digitize the collections also.

Foundation receives NHPRC funding for Marshall Papers

The Marshall Foundation received continuing support from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), which awarded a grant of $44,000 for the 2009-2010 year of editing volume 6 of The Marshall Papers. Volume 6 is scheduled to be published in 2010.

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General Petraeus Visits

General David Petraeus, Commander, U.S. Central Command, visited the Foundation for a tour of the Museum and Archives.

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Dr. Catherwood Discusses Churchill at Marshall Lecture Series

With profound insight into Winston Churchill’s early colonial experiences as well as his first tenure as First Lord of the Admiralty, Scholar Christopher Catherwood offers an honest appraisal of his strategies in a unique and fascinating perspective that separates the myth from the man.

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Jay Adams Succeeds General Meyer

John B. "Jay" Adams, Jr. succeeded General Edward C. Meyer as Chairman of the Board of the George C. Marshall Foundation earlier this month. He becomes the ninth chairman since the Foundation's founding in 1953.