The Pennsylvania W3R organization began planning for a 300th Birthday event in honor of the comte de Rochambeau in 2023. John F Mitchell, W3R-PA President consulted with the W3R-PA membership about initiating an initial planning meeting with the Valley Forge Memorial Chapel staff in Valley Forge, PA. Contact was made with Father Tommy A Thompson VII, Rector of the Washington Memorial Chapel, Gardner Pearson, Washington Memorial Heritage Board Member, and Mark R Thompson, Executive Director of Washington Memorial Heritage. An initial planning meeting was held on January 24, 2024, where it was unanimously agreed that a 300th Birthday gathering for the comte de Rochambeau could be held at Valley Forge Memorial Chapel on July 1, 2025.
John Mitchell, Gardner Pearson, and Mark W Thompson met about every two months to discuss and coordinate plans for the Rochambeau 300th Birthday Event. Piere LeFebvre, a W3R-PA member and a renowned professional sculptor, joined the group for some meetings. Mr. Lefebvre is known for his sculptures of the comte de Rochambeau.
During the spring of 2025 Amy Parker, a W3R member who had recently relocated to Pennsylvania from Virginia, joined the Rochambeau Birthday planning group and brought much interest and ideas to planning the event. Amy Parker’s sister, Gail Parker also joined the planning group. Patricia Coyne, W3R-PA Co-Vice President, became actively involved in helping to coordinate the birthday event.
The comte de Rochambeau 300th Birthday event was held from 2 to 4 PM on the afternoon of July 1, 2025 in the Bishop White Library at the Valley Forge Memorial Chapel. The event was attended by approximately 50 people who enjoyed French hors d’oeuvres and, of course, a birthday cake.
The event program opened with the Presentation of the Colors by the Philadelphia Continental Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution. The presentation was followed by remarks by Father Tommy A. Thompson, John Mitchell, Patricia Coyne, Rose Fennell, NPS Superintendent of Valley Forge National Historical Park, Marine Fravel-Vennel, Honorary Consul of France, Noah Chartrer, an intern for the French Consulate in Philadelphia, and Mark R. Thompson. Pierre Lefebvre brought one of his sculptures of Rochambeau to display and gave an enlightening presentation about the illustrious life of the comte de Rochambeau. He also read a message written for the occasion by Nathalie de Gouberville, a Rochambeau descendant. All speakers were presented with a W3R Rochambeau medallion. The event was a great success and provided a wonderful opportunity for attendees from many different cultural, civic, and historical organizations to meet and learn about the comte de Rochambeau.
