Johnson County Library Foundation staff tours post

The Johnson County Library Foundation staff enjoyed an afternoon with the CGSC Foundation at Fort Leavenworth on Feb. 21. Susan Mong, Joseph Keehn and Steph Neu, were treated to an interesting tour of the fort that included seeing the historic wagon wheel tracks coming up out of the Missouri River, as well as a stop at the Buffalo Soldiers monument to learn more about the history of the Buffalo Soldiers.

The next stop on the tour was a walk-through of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. The group learned about the Lamp of Knowledge, sat in General MacArthur’s chair and spent time admiring the Hall of Fame, which includes such leaders as Robert E. Lee, Eisenhower and Patton. They also had the opportunity to view the some of the College’s art collection, which is composed of items presented to the College by the international officer students each year, the paintings each CGSC class commissions and presents as gifts.

The Johnson County Library Foundation has an interest in conducting an exhibit of some of the Army’s art objects through the CGSC Foundation’s “Art of War Initiative,” as well as bringing in speakers from the College to speak at some of their events. – Dr. Jim Wilbanks, CGSC’s General of the Army George C. Marshall Chair of Military History, will be speaking at the Johnson County Library in September.

“We are excited to take our first step with you all in the fall, featuring Dr. Willbanks as our expert speaker on Vietnam on Sept. 5,” said Susan Mong, Johnson County Library Foundation executive director. “The book which has been adopted for the “Big Read across Kansas City” is The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien, so Dr. Willbanks will be a wonderful speaker.”

The CGSC Foundation hosts “Walk and Talks” typically on the second Thursday of the month. Contact Joan Cabell, the CGSC Foundation director of development – joan@cgscf.org, to schedule your own group’s “Walk and Talk” tour of CGSC and Fort Leavenworth and learn about the education of leaders for the nation.

Left to right in the photo: Steph Neu, Joseph Keehn and Susan Mong.