Fort Vancouver National Trust Seeking Nominations for the 2009 Marshall Public Leadership Award

(VANCOUVER, Wash—June 5, 2009) -The Marshall Leadership Award selection committee is seeking nominations for the 21st annual General George C. Marshall Public Leadership Award. This award is one of the Celebrate Freedom programs organized by the Fort Vancouver National Trust (formerly the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust). Nominees must be a resident of Clark County, be 35 years of age or under and have completed a four-year college degree. Selection is based on demonstrated leadership ability, commitment to public service, academic achievement and potential for an ongoing active role in public service.

From 1936 to 1938 General George C. Marshall lived in Vancouver in the Victorian house on Officers Row that today bears his name. While in Vancouver, he was a Brigadier General and served as Commander of the 5th Infantry Brigade at Vancouver Barracks. Marshall served as the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army during World War II and he was Secretary of State from 1947 to 1949. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the Marshall Plan, which helped rebuild the economies of Europe and the Pacific nations after the war.

The 2009 award recipient will be honored at a ceremony at the Marshall House, 1301 Officers Row, in November. The award benefits include:



· A $2,200 stipend towards a trip to the Marshall Foundation in Lexington, Virginia, Colonial Williamsburg and Washington, D.C.

· Opportunities to meet and develop relationships with community leaders

· A scholarship to participate in the Leadership Clark County Program, a nine-month course designed to enhance public leadership skills

The 2008 award recipient, Cheryl Bledsoe, recently traveled to Washington, D.C. where she toured the White House, Supreme Court and met with Senator Patty Murray and Representative Brian Baird. She also toured the Marshall Foundation in Lexington, Virginia. As the award recipient, Cheryl participated in the Veterans Day Parade and the Marshall Youth Award Ceremony. She will speak at the upcoming Flag Day ceremony on June 14 at Fort Vancouver National Site. She is the Emergency Management Manager for Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency.

Nominations can be submitted by individuals or organizations and must be received by 5 p.m. on August 20. Nomination forms are accessible through the Fort Vancouver National Trust's Web site at www.fortvan.org or may be picked up at the Trust's offices (General O.O. Howard House, 750 Anderson St., Vancouver, WA.). Please return completed nomination forms to the Trust offices. For details call the Trust at 360.992.1804.