The American Friends of Lafayette and The Doughboy Foundation will host an event honoring the Marquis de Lafayette on his 268th birthday. We will also commemorate the bicentennial of his tour through the United States (1824- 1825).
The Maryland Military Band will play music heard by Lafayette during his visit to America from 1924 through 1825. The band will also play the National Anthem of France and the United States.
The afternoon program will include notable speakers and descendants of pilots from the Lafayette Escadrille plus a visit from Marqius de Lafayette. The ceremony will conclude with a wreath ceremony and the sounding of Aux Morts and Taps.
The ceremony is free and open to the public.
Welcome remarks from Marquis de Lafayette as performed by Mark Schneider
Mark Schneider was born and raised in Setauket New York on Long Island, to a French mother and an American Father. Mark attended Christopher Newport University and received a B.A. in History and then joined the United States Army where he served as a Cavalry Scout. After his tour of duty, Mark began working for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. At CW, Mark has performed in a variety of different roles, but is known best for his portrayal of General Lafayette as a Nation Builder with the Education Division. During the 200th anniversary tour of General Lafayette’s return to America, Mark has performed at events in New York City, Providence, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Williamsburg, Yorktown and many others.
Speaker-Colby Jenkins, Assistant Secretary of Defense
Mr. Colby Jenkins is an Army Special Forces combat veteran and currently is performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict. Colby was previous appointed as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Born and raised in Roosevelt, Utah, Colby knew from a young age that service to his nation and community was important. As the son of patriotic, service-oriented parents, Colby saw firsthand how his family’s dedication to their community, including his father’s service on the city council and later as Mayor, could allow one person to improve the lives of those around them. While considering his own future path, Colby took further inspiration from his grandfather, a member of the “greatest generation,” and his service during World War Two. Seeing military service, and specifically going to the United States Military Academy at West Point, as an ideal path, Colby sought a congressional nomination and gained an appointment to West Point, thus launching him on a career of service to the nation.
Upon graduating from West Point, Colby became an airborne Ranger-qualified infantry officer before trying out for and being selected to become a Special Forces officer. As a Green Beret Detachment Commander, Colby led his Special Forces A-team on multiple global deployments, including combat in Afghanistan and later various training, counter-drug, and hostage rescue operations throughout South America, including the jungles of Colombia.
Colby’s experience in combat and leading his team opened new opportunities to serve beyond the fields of battle. The four-star commanding general of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) hand-selected Colby to initiate a new congressional fellowship program that included graduate school in Washington, D.C., and working in a U.S. Senator’s office. Colby would be the first special operations officer to do so for USSOCOM, creating a path for many others to follow. After Colby’s work in the U.S. Senate and completing graduate school, Colby continued his work on Capitol Hill as a Green Beret liaison to Congress. This experience took him from the halls of Congress around the world with members of Congress and staff. Colby later worked in the Pentagon as a counterterrorism policy advisor to the Secretary of Defense, coordinating critical efforts between the White House, Pentagon, Capitol Hill, and other interagency partners to advance American interests.
After completing his active-duty military service Colby transitioned to the Army National Guard and now the Army Reserves where he continued his military service for more than two decades. During his civilian career, Colby remained active in the legislative arena working for several years in the Pentagon as the senior civilian legislative strategic advisor to the Vice-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s #2 military leader. Simultaneously, Colby taught as an adjunct professor in George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management. Following his years of service and work in Washington, DC, Colby jumped to the corporate tech world working for Google at Google headquarters and later other innovation and entrepreneurial entities in both Silicon Valley and ultimately southern Utah.
Speaker-Colonel Thibaud Thomas, French Army Attaché
Speaker-Charles Schwam, Executive Director, American Friends of Lafayette
Charles Schwam works as an account executive and runs day-to-day activities for a non-profit association simultaneously. Chuck, as he is known, came to the greater Washington DC area from Philadelphia to attend American University in 1978 to study sports journalism. Shortly thereafter, he found his skills better suited as an account executive instead of a broadcaster. For over forty years, he has been the leader in his industry, managing national and local accounts while maintaining the top position in sales and new business.
Chuck’s unwavering passion for both his professional career and his work with The American Friends of Lafayette has been a driving force in the organization’s transformation. From the moment he discovered the association in 2009, he became deeply engaged. By 2011, he had already joined the Board of Governors as Treasurer, and over time, his leadership role expanded to Executive Director, where he also took on the responsibilities of Event Planning for the annual conference and publishing the quarterly Gazette.
What began as a personal interest in history soon evolved into a profound appreciation for the Marquis de Lafayette and his embodiment of the enduring, positive relationship between France and America. This admiration resonated deeply with Chuck, and over the past 15 years, he has dedicated himself to sharing Lafayette’s legacy and the importance of Franco-American friendship with the broader public. His commitment to education and advocacy has fostered a sense of community and passion among fellow members of the association.
Chuck’s extensive experience in account management played a pivotal role in the association’s growth. Together with the President, Chuck helped expand the organization from a niche historical group into a nationally recognized institution. His strategic vision, coupled with his leadership and tireless dedication, has helped the club reach schools, other associations, and communities across the country, bringing the story of Lafayette and the Franco-American relationship to a wider audience.
Currently, Chuck is the Chairperson of the AFL’s Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour 2024-2025. There are currently 40+ committees comprised of over members across 24 states working actively to plan events, learning engagements, and experiences designed to bring awareness and education to the public of the legacy of General Lafayette and the French involvement in the American Revolution.
This role as Chairperson of the Tour has provided him the opportunity to lecture to significant audiences such as the. Independence Hall in Philadelphia, University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA, and the Embassy of France in Washington, DC. Chuck’s most impactful speeches took place on December 10, 2024, when he was given the honor to address members of Congress in Statuary Hall at the US Capitol in Washington DC and then being given the distinction of speaking at French Ambassador Bili’s Residence later that evening.
Because educating the public is a main priority for Chuck and the association he has engaged in and hosted hundreds of public facing free educational events around the county. Chuck has played a part in every single event the American Friends of Lafayette have hosted, both in the United States and France. Whether it be the annual flag changing ceremony at Cimetière de Picpus in Paris or the arrival of the Hermione in the United States, or all 250 Lafayette Bicentennial events in 2024 and 2025, Chuck has had a hand in it all.
When it comes to getting things done, Chuck is the go-to person. Whether it’s fundraising, designing promotional materials (from websites to scarves and pins), or handling complex logistics, he excels at it all. His talent for connecting people and fostering collaboration is unparalleled, turning ideas into powerful initiatives that make a lasting, positive impact on the world around us.
Paul Glenshaw
A lifelong resident of the Washington, DC area, Paul Glenshaw is an artist, documentary filmmaker, history writer, and storyteller. His most recent documentary film, The Lafayette Escadrille, was distributed nationally by American Public Television, and is available on the PBS Passport platform. He is a regular drawing instructor, history lecturer, and tour guide for the Smithsonian Associates and Smithsonian Journeys and other groups. He was a longtime writer for the Air&Space Smithsonian magazine.
Speaker – Geoffrey Chapman, nephew of Victor Chapman, Lafayette Escadrille pilot
Geoffrey Chapman is originally from Boston and was educated at Bowdoin College (BA) and Princeton University (MA, PhD). He joined the U.S. Foreign Service in September 1971 and served overseas in Berlin, Moscow, Bonn and London, along with numerous assignments in the Department of State in Washington. He retired as a Senior Foreign Service Officer in 2002 but continues to work part-time in the Department of State. He has been involved in numerous volunteer activities in semi-retirement
Speaker – Ginnie Sebastian Storage, President General, Daughters of The American Revolution
Ginnie Sebastian Storage, from Fredericksburg, Virginia, holds a BA from the University of Virginia and an MBA from Averett University. She has been a DAR member for over 40 years and has served in many significant leadership roles nationally, statewide, and locally, including six years as an Executive Officer and 12 years on the National Board of Management. Professionally, she has expertise in human resources and business administration. Her family is also engaged in DAR activities, with her daughter Mackie being a former National President of the National Society of the Children of the American Revolution (NSCAR)
Master of Ceremonies Jari Villanueva, Executive Director, The Doughboy Foundation
Jari Villanueva retired from the U.S. Air Force after spending 23 years with The U.S. Air Force Band in Washington, DC. He is regarded as the country’s foremost expert on military bugle calls, particularly the call of Taps. He served as the Non-Commissioned Officer in charge of the USAF’s band State Funeral Plans and held the position of NCOIC at the command post at Andrews AFB, overseeing the arrival and departure ceremonies for late Presidents Reagan and Ford. As a ceremonial trumpeter, Villanueva participated in more than 5,000 ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetary and served as an assistant drum major, leading the USAF Ceremonial Brass in funerals. Between 2009 and 2017, Villanueva worked for the Maryland Military Department, serving as the Director of Veterans Affairs, Maryland National Guard Honor Guard, which provides funeral honors to more than 3,500 veterans each year. He also served as conductor/commander of the Maryland Defense Force Band and retired in 2017 at the rank of Lt. Colonel.
In August 2023, Villanueva was appointed Executive Director of The Doughboy Foundation, which supports programs, projects and activities that educate the public about America’s participation in World War 1. Villanueva has received numerous military awards and decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1978 from the Peabody Conservatory of John Hopkins University. In 1984, he received a Master of Music degree from Kent State.
The Maryland Military Band
The Maryland Military Band, established in 2017, is a non-profit group that performs various types of music at ceremonies and concerts, actively involving the community through performances and recruitment efforts. The band is committed to delivering high-quality musical performances and educational opportunities. It was created to emulate the model of the nation’s leading military bands, emphasizing the development of skilled musical ensembles that perform a wide range of music, including concert band, wind band, and military band music.
Miss Laura Heydt, soprano
Laura Heydt is an accomplished opera singer, music educator, and arts administrator whose performances span concert halls, historical venues, and community stages throughout the United States and Europe. She is a member of the American Friends of Lafayette, serving as the chair of the Baltimore music committee and has performed at many Lafayette bicentennial events including the U.S. Capitol, Yorktown, VA, and Philadelphia, PA.
Alongside her performance career, she has dedicated over a decade to music education and administration, serving as an educational program manager for The Baltimore Symphony’s OrchKids program, and teaching vocal and instrumental music in York, PA and Baltimore, MD. She currently serves as the music teacher at Ware Academy in Gloucester, VA.
The Lafayette Escadrille
The Lafayette Escadrille was the name of the French Air Force unit, Escadrille N 124, during World War I, named in honor of Marquis de Lafayette. This escadrille of the Aéronautique Militaire was mostly made up of American volunteer pilots flying fighters. In September 1917, the escadrille was transferred to the United States Army and became the 103rd Aero Squadron. In 1921, the French Air Force recreated a unit claiming lineage from the wartime Lafayette escadrille, which is now part of the escadron 2/4 Lafayette.
Schedule of Events
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