Councilman White shares story of George Marshall’s connection to Luray
By Randy Arrington
LURAY, Nov. 11 — A few dozen veterans, family members, residents and local officials gathered at the Luray American Legion Post by Innlawn Park on Monday morning to honor those who served in the military. The event held at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month featured patriotic songs, the presentation of colors, POW/MIA recognition, and a keynote address from Luray Councilman Alex White, who taught everyone an interesting history lesson.
In an old Norfolk and Western magazine from November 1945, the Luray councilman saw an article stating that Page County had purchased more bonds to support the nation’s effort in World War I than any county in the United States “for its size” (per capita). White then told the Veteran’s Day crowd that he did further research that showed Page County was among the top tiers of localities in the country for its patriotic giving and support throughout the last century and beyond.
“That seems to be a common trait of small, rural towns and counties,” White said. “Those who are closer to each other and know their neighbors…seem to have a clearer vision of who they are fighting for.”
While the track record for patriotism in Page County was interesting — but not surprising — it was White’s story about “George” that really resonated the most.
“Toward the end of the historic Luray Inn…before it burned…which sat just up the hill on the other side of Innlawn Park…it was run by a man named George, and we’ll call him George Sr.…George Jr. lived at the Inn as well and helped his father with the Inn when he was young,” White told the crowd. “The Inn took a lot out of the family, especially financially, so the younger George wouldn’t be able to afford to go to college…if he hadn’t heard about VMI [the Virginia Military Institute] from travelers at the Inn… He would go on to attend VMI, enter the Army and become a general who was influential in World War II…and then was basically the architect of the world after 1945.”
Marshal Sr. had invested heavily in the Valley Land and Improvement Company of Luray, which had acquired the Luray Inn and had controlling interest of Luray Caverns, as well as 10,000 acres of land which were to be subdivided and sold. Marshall Sr. became vice president and general manger, but the company only sold 300 of 1,000 parcels and soon went in the red after the Inn burned, causing a $100,000 deficit. The family patriarch took his family from Luray after losing his direct investment and owing thousands more.
According to a biography written about George C. Marshall Jr., he spent a summer (and perhaps longer) in his youth living at the Luray Inn, while his father ran the operation. Although he was born in Uniontown, Pa. and his parents had ties to Kentucky and Virginia, he would speak fondly of his time in Virginia, where he attended VMI and graduated in 1901. The Luray Inn burned to the ground a decade earlier in 1891.
Marshall, who was a distant cousin of the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, John Marhsall, would rise through the ranks of the U.S. Army to serve as its Chief of Staff under Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman. He later served as Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense under Truman and was credited with playing a key role in the Allied victory in World War II. He heralded the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe after World War II and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953 for his work — the only Army general ever to receive the honor.
“I thank you for your service then, but I also thank you for your service now,” Councilman White told the veterans gathered at the American Legion on Monday. “I look around and I see volunteers, people who are doing things to make their community better… and your country may need you now more than ever, as we seem to be forgetting how to take care of each other.”
American Legion membership is open to any veteran honorably discharged from U.S. Military Service. To join Miller-Campbell-Baker Post #22, or to receive information about becoming a member, interested veterans should contact our membership chairman at 540-860-1945, or any Post #22 member.
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