Leesburg, VA (May 20, 2024) – The Town of Leesburg, in collaboration with the Thomas Balch Library and the George C. Marshall International Center, is set to honor the 80th anniversary of D-Day with a commemorative event on Sunday, June 2, at Dodona Manor, located at 312 East Market Street.
The event will feature a panel of World War II history experts discussing various topics. Rachel Thompson will speak on General George C. Marshall, Dr. Robert Holcomb will cover “The Monuments Men Come to Leesburg,” and Yvonne French will address “Prisoners of War in Loudoun County.”
Attendees are encouraged to arrive between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to enjoy free tours of Dodona Manor, the historic home of General George C. Marshall and a National Historic Landmark. The event will also include interactive mapping of Leesburg during World War II and the dedication of a model USS Marshall by the Capitol Chapter, Naval Submarine League. The expert panel will begin their discussions at 2 p.m.
In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the lower level meeting room of the Thomas Balch Library at 208 West Market Street, Leesburg.
For those attending, Leesburg offers several points of interest. The Loudoun County Courthouse lawn features memorials honoring local residents who served in World War II and the Korean War, including a monument designed by one of the “Monuments Men.” Visitors are also encouraged to explore the historic downtown’s shops and restaurants, with a guide available on the Locally Leesburg map.
Beyond the downtown area, Oatlands, another National Historic Landmark just south of Leesburg, will host special tours on June 2, focusing on the contributions of local families and neighbors to the Allied war effort. Additionally, the Flags for Heroes display at Freedom Park, located at the corner of Battlefield Parkway and Evergreen Mill Road, will be available for viewing.
More information about the event can be found online at www.leesburgva.gov/leesburgatwar. For further details, contact Preservation Planner Lauren Murphy at lmurphy@leesburgva.gov or 703-771-2773.
