CGSC Foundation and Alumni Association

10/30/2026

Fort Leavenworth is famous for its history, including its ghost stories!

In this video, Megan Hunter, Museum Specialist and Interim Director of the Frontier Army Museum on Fort Leavenworth, shares stories about the Rookery and other Fort Leavenworth buildings that are rumored to be haunted.

We hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween weekend!

10/30/2026

About Our Speaker:

David J. Kramer serves as the executive director of the George W. Bush Institute. Prior to joining the Bush Institute, he taught at Florida International University’s Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs, where he also was senior fellow in the Václav Havel Program for Human Rights and Diplomacy and director for European and Eurasian Affairs.

Before moving to Miami, Kramer worked in Washington, D.C., for 24 years, including as senior director for human rights and democracy with the McCain Institute for International Leadership; president of Freedom House; and senior transatlantic fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Kramer also served eight years in the U.S. Department of State during the George W. Bush administration, including as assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights, and labor; deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs, responsible for Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus affairs as well as regional non-proliferation issues; professional staff member in the secretary’s Office of Policy Planning; and senior advisor to the Undersecretary for Global Affairs. He also was executive director of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy in Washington.

Kramer chairs the board of the Free Russia Foundation. He also serves as a member of the advisory councils for the Alliance for Securing Democracy at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, Refugees International and Foreign Policy for America. He is a contributing editor of "American Purpose" and author of the book, "Back to Containment: Dealing with Putin’s Regime."

A native of Massachusetts, Kramer received a master’s degree in Soviet studies from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in Soviet studies and political science from Tufts University.

Kramer will speak at the Des Moines National Security Forum on November 4, at Des Moines Embassy Club West, in West Des Moines, IA.

Learn more about our speaker and register for the Des Moines National Security Forum - The Russia-Ukraine War: Past, Present, Future here - https://www.cgscfoundation.org/events/dmnsf-261104.

10/30/2026

Lt. Gen. Jan-Willem Maas, Commander, Joint Forces Command, Netherlands, was inducted into the International Hall of Fame on Oct. 16, 2026, in a ceremony at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

In his remarks, Maas spoke to the withstanding partnership of the U.S. and Netherlands, which spans centuries.

“This relationship [U.S.-Dutch] did not start with a treaty signed by cautious men in a quiet room. It started with a decision on a beach, before anyone knew how the story would end. And it never really stopped,” Maas said. “Two and a half centuries later, Dutch and American soldiers still train on each other’s soil..."

Learn more about Lt. Gen. Maas and the International Hall of Fame here - https://www.cgscfoundation.org/ihof-261016.

(Photo by Jim Shea/CGSC Public Affairs)

10/29/2026

You are invited to the Distinguished Speaker Series - American Security in the Asia-Pacific: The Trump-Xi Meetings of 2026 on Nov. 18, at JW Crancer’s in downtown Leavenworth, Kansas (530 Delaware St.).

Dr. Joseph G. D. (Geoff) Babb, former professor of history in the Department of Military History at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, will examine American security in the Asia-Pacific against the backdrop of the 2026 Trump-Xi meetings.

A reception with cash bar begins at 5:30 p.m., the buffet dinner starts at 6 p.m. and the presentation will begin at 7 p.m.

Learn more and register here - https://www.cgscfoundation.org/events/dss-261118.

10/28/2026

ICYMI: Retired Col. Gregory Fontenot delivered a presentation on "Lariat Advance" at the Distinguished Speaker Series on Oct. 14, 2026.

Join us our next event, Distinguished Speaker Series - American Security in the Asia-Pacific: The Trump-Xi Meetings of 2026 on Nov. 18, featuring Dr. Joseph G. D. (Geoff) Babb - https://www.cgscfoundation.org/events/dss-261118.

10/28/2026

Mr. Keith Prather (left) engaged in a fireside chat with Simons Center Deputy Director Lt. Col. (Ret.) John Nelson and other members of the Arter-Rowland National Security Forum on Oct. 15, at the Carriage Club in Kansas City, MO. The topic of the day was the impact of current conflict in the Strait of Hormuz on the global economy - https://www.cgscfoundation.org/arnsf-261015.

Keith Prather is a managing director of Armada Corporate Intelligence and one of the company’s co-founders. During his time as Armada’s primary strategist, he has worked with Fortune 500 companies spanning strategic risk assessments, economic forecasting, merger and acquisition strategy, and strategic planning. He has pioneered the concept of the Continuous Situation Analysis, much like a corporate version of a military situation report or “SitRep,” that companies use in a fast-paced, aggressive modern business environment.

Thank you to the members of the Arter-Rowland National Security Forum and their guests for joining us at this month's luncheon, and thank you to our sponsors - The Pritzker Military Foundation and The Tim and Karen Carlin Family Foundation.

10/27/2026

The CGSC Foundation invites you to the Des Moines National Security Forum - The Russia-Ukraine War: Past, Present, Future on November 4, from 11:00am - 1:30pm at the Des Moines Embassy Club West (520 Market St., West Des Moines, IA) - https://www.cgscfoundation.org/events/dmnsf-261104.

In this presentation of the forum, David J. Kramer, executive director of the George W. Bush Institute, and Simons Center Director Todd Schmidt, PhD (Colonel, Retired), will conduct a fireside chat examining the Russia-Ukraine war. They will explore not only the historical context of the conflict, but also the current history and recent situation that has resulted in an apparent stalemate. The conversation will examine the impact of the war on international relations, NATO, the global economy, and the future of warfare. Finally, they will discuss how the conflict might be resolved in the future.

Tickets are $35 per person. Learn more and register on our website.

10/26/2026

Retired Col. Gregory Fontenot delivered a presentation on "Lariat Advance: Insights from the Cold War for the Twenty-First Century," a book he co-edited, during the Distinguished Speaker Series - Insights from the Cold War for the Twenty-First Century hosted by the CGSC Foundation and Alumni Association at JW Crancer’s in Leavenworth, Kansas on Oct. 14, 2026.

Learn more about Col. Fontenot, "Lariat Advance," and the Distinguished Speaker Series here - https://www.cgscfoundation.org/dss-261014.

10/21/2026

The CGSC Foundation is saddened by the passing of founding trustee, trustee emeritus, and renowned Army lawyer Col. (Ret.) William Eckhardt.

“Bill’s leadership and dedication to the Foundation’s mission and the Army profession is commendable, as is his teaching career,” said Lora Morgan, president/CEO of the CGSC Foundation and Alumni Association. “He made a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to work with him, and he will be sorely missed.”

Learn more about Eckhardt’s life and legacy here - https://www.cgscfoundation.org/founding-trustee-emeritus-dies-at-85.

10/19/2026

Congratulations to Benny and Edith Lee, Kansas City World Citizens of the Year 2026! The Lees are renowned for both their financial generosity to Kansas City and their commitment to giving of themselves to causes they hold dear. International awareness and cultural appreciation rank extremely high among their priorities, and they regularly open their home to Kansas Citians and many international visitors who share this vision.

Benny is a long-time friend of the CGSC Foundation and Alumni Association, serving as trustee emeritus on the board of trustees.

Congratulations again to Benny and Edith Lee! Thank you for your ongoing support to the CGSC Foundation and Alumni Association and the greater Kansas City community!

Learn more and the Kansas City World Citizen of the Year and the 55th Annual Mayor's United Nations Day Dinner on the United Nations Association of Greater Kansas City’s page.

Meet the Kansas City World Citizens of the Year 2026! Benny Lee and Edith Lee are renowned for both their financial generosity to Kansas City and their commitment to giving of themselves to causes they hold dear. International awareness and cultural appreciation rank extremely high among their priorities, and they regularly open their home to Kansas Citians and many international visitors who share this vision.
Benny received the Sister Cities Association President’s award for encouraging its work. Their support continues as Benny and Edith have invited musicians from Metz, France, Hannover, Germany, Taiwan and other locales to their home
The Lees have been active supporters of the Kansas City Honorary Consular Corps, and Benny has been an active supporter of the mission of the International Relations Council through board leadership and other contributions.
Benny was an early founder and continuing supporter of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce in Kansas City.
Benny was appointed by the Mayor and City Council to the Kansas City Global Commission, and the Lees were major forces behind the creation of Park University ’s International Center for Music.
Benny is active with the Command and General Staff College Foundation at Fort Leavenworth, offering on-going support to both the international faculty and for International Military Students from all over the world.
Benny has helped UMKC faculty and international business students in the development of a successful study-abroad trip to Taipei. He offered his own company for the students to study and learn about doing business abroad.
The Lees were heavily involved in the development of the International Sculpture Garden at the Overland Park Arboretum .

The 55th Annual Mayor's United Nations Day Dinner
Oct 26, 2026, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
The Gallery Event Space, 61 E 14th St, Kansas City, MO 64105
Tickets can be purchased through October 18.
https://www.una-kc.org/events/55th-annual-mayors-united-nations-day-dinner

Benny Lee Enterprises United Nations The Gallery Event Space Kansas City