Another Fabulous Fourth!
Scouts and their families march in the parade with the George C. Marshall International Center
The Marshall Center was once again proud to participate in the Leesburg Independence Day parade on Tuesday with our replica of General Marshall’s green Willys Jeep Station Wagon in tow.
Scouts from Troop 998 are ready to march before the parade started
Our Boy Scout and Cub Scout charter troops and their parents joined Marshall Center staff and throngs of flag-waving folks lining the parade route to celebrate America’s birthday on a warm, sunny day. (Thank you to Colin Wright of Colin’s Haul’n, for generously volunteering to pull the wagon with his trailer!)
Local business owner Colin Wright and his mom Sharon
Independence Day is a fitting occasion to showcase Marshall’s Willys Wagon. Among the treasures of General Marshall’s life and time in Leesburg housed at Dodona Manor, the jeep is a unique artifact that speaks to Marshall’s professional legacy and modest personality.
As Chief of Staff of the Army, Marshall was instrumental in greenlighting the production of the jeep for military use in World War II.
In fact, Marshall called the jeep “America's greatest contribution to modern warfare.” In all, roughly 650,000 Jeeps were produced by Willys-Overland and Ford Motor Co. during World War II.
To show their appreciation for Marshall’s leadership role in this historic undertaking, Willys Overland Co. gifted Marshall the wagon in 1948. Marshall loved his jeep but was initially reluctant to accept a gift he considered extravagant. According to Marshall’s aide, Sgt. William Heffner, “… if it wasn’t for Mrs. Marshall, he never would have taken the Jeep.” Ever averse to fanfare, Marshall ultimately accepted the wagon on the condition that there not be any publicity or fanfare about it.
His original Jeep wore out and was replaced by our historically accurate replica, which was itself a gift – this time from a Marshall admirer in the Netherlands. Sharing this unique piece of American history on Independence Day is a way to make sure Marshall’s legacy remains a part of Leesburg’s present.
