Manassas Battlefield Trust

06/03/2026

Please listen on Thursday June 4th for our Executive Director Cherie Johnston's interview with Wreaths Across America on Satellite Radio regarding the Manassas Battlefield Trust!

Manassas National Battlefield Park

06/02/2026

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, the leadership lessons of Manassas matter more than ever. The First and Second Battles of Manassas were defined by uncertainty, fractured intelligence, rapid decision‑making, and leaders forced to act with incomplete information, the same pressures that shape modern conflict and crisis leadership today.

That’s why we’re honored to welcome Colonel (Ret.) John Agoglia as our guest speaker.

A combat veteran, father of five, and dedicated husband, Colonel Agoglia brings a lifetime of service and leadership to this program. His career spans multiple theaters of conflict, and even today he continues to ensure that our Afghan partners have a voice, advocating for those who stood beside American forces during two decades of war.

Inside the War Room connects the battlefield decisions made on Henry Hill, Matthews Hill, and Chinn Ridge with the real‑world strategic challenges Colonel Agoglia faced in modern combat. It’s a rare opportunity to explore how leadership under fire in 1861, 1862, and the 21st century reveals timeless truths about courage, clarity, and command. This is a signature America250 program for the Manassas Battlefield Trust, and one our members will not want to miss.

🎟️ Reserve your seat:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inside-the-war-room-strategy-leadership-and-lessons-learned-tickets-1990509279839?aff=oddtdtcreator

About the Speaker:

Retired U.S. Army Colonel John Agoglia, a West Point graduate, is a national‑security leader with decades of experience in counterinsurgency, stability operations, and strategic planning. He served as Director of the Counterinsurgency Training Center–Afghanistan, Director of the U.S. Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute, and is now Director of Global Friends of Afghanistan. His work has influenced U.S. and NATO doctrine, humanitarian operations, and the evacuation of Afghan allies.





Disclaimers: The Manassas Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization & the official philanthropic partner of Manassas National Battlefield Park. We are an independent nonprofit & not an agency of the U.S. Government. Activities & events are not endorsed by NPS. A financial statement is available upon request from the VA Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (VDACS).

American Battlefield Trust U.S. Army Historic Manassas, Inc. City of Manassas, VA - Government Prince William Chamber of Commerce Members Prince William Times Northern Virginia Veterans Association Manassas Battlefield Trust The Winery at Bull Run Manassas Battlefield Trust Manassas Talk MANASSAS TALK Manassas Talk ( Admin isn’t a Maga Lover) Northern Virginia Veterans Association No One Left Behind West Point - The U.S. Military Academy National Museum of the United States Army

05/27/2026

Breakfast at the Battlefield: Inside the War Room: Strategy, Leadership and Lessons Learned featuring Retired U.S. Army Colonel John Agoglia

Join us on Thursday, June 4th from 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM for a powerful edition of Breakfast at the Battlefield, featuring Retired U.S. Army Colonel John Agoglia, a leader whose career spans the most consequential conflicts of the modern era.

To purchase your ticket now click here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inside-the-war-room-strategy-leadership-and-lessons-learned-tickets-1990509279839

Colonel Agoglia will take guests through his extraordinary journey:

Obtaining a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point - class of 1980

Achieving a MMAS in Strategic Planning from the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

His rise through the U.S. Army and his work with U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM)

His role in planning the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan

His leadership as Director of the Counterinsurgency Training Center–Afghanistan (2008–2010)

His on‑the‑ground experience serving in Afghanistan

His urgent efforts to rescue Afghan allies when Kabul fell

His current work as Executive Director (CEO) of Global Friends of Afghanistan and as Director of Trinity Planning & Investments

And finally, how the Battles of Manassas shaped lessons the U.S. Army carried forward into modern warfare

This is a rare opportunity to hear firsthand insights from a soldier‑scholar who has shaped U.S. military strategy, trained forces in modern conflict, and personally intervened to save lives during one of the most dramatic humanitarian crises of our time.

About the Speaker:
Retired U.S. Army Colonel John Agoglia is a national‑security leader with decades of experience in counterinsurgency, stability operations, and strategic planning. He served as Director of the Counterinsurgency Training Center–Afghanistan, Director of the U.S. Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute, and is now Director of Global Friends of Afghanistan. His work has influenced U.S. and NATO doctrine, humanitarian operations, and the evacuation of Afghan allies. https://www.globalfriendsofafghanistan.org/

Manassas National Battlefield Park American Battlefield Trust
U.S. Army West Point - The U.S. Military Academy U.S. Army War College National Museum of the United States Army Association of the United States Army - AUSA National







Disclaimers: The Manassas Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the official philanthropic partner of Manassas
National Battlefield Park. We are an independent nonprofit and not an agency of the U.S. Government. Activities and events are not endorsed by the National Park Service. A financial statement is available upon request from the Virginia Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services (VDACS).

Breakfast at the Battlefield: Inside the War Room: Strategy, Leadership and Lessons Learned featuring Retired U.S. Army Colonel John Agoglia

05/21/2026

Will you please join us this Monday, May 25th, at any of the four planned Wreath Laying Ceremonies to show your support for America's fallen. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

U.S. Army U.S. Marine Corps American Battlefield Trust



Disclaimers: The Manassas Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the official philanthropic partner of Manassas National Battlefield Park. We are an independent nonprofit and not an agency of the U.S. Government. Activities and events are not endorsed by the National Park Service. A financial statement is available upon request from the Virginia Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services (VDACS).

05/20/2026

Message from our Executive Director Cherie Johnston.

Since stepping into the role of Executive Director at the Manassas Battlefield Trust, I traded cubicles, parking garages, and high‑rise office buildings for 5,000+ acres of protected wilderness. Our land preserved exactly as it was during the American Civil War.

This recent bear encounter was a reminder of just how extraordinary this place is. My “office” is now a landscape frozen in time, alive with history, wildlife, and the kind of quiet that feeds the soul.

If you’ve never experienced this level of bliss and nostalgia in your career, I highly recommend pursuing it.

Leaving the cubicle was the best career decision I ever made!

❌ Cubicles

❌ Parking garages

❌ High‑rise office buildings

for…

✔️ 5,000+ acres of preserved Civil War landscape

✔️ Wildlife encounters (today’s guest star: a black bear)

✔️ A workday that feels like stepping back in time

Best promotion ever.

Manassas National Battlefield Park American Battlefield Trust

05/20/2026

The inaugural "Breakfast at the Battlefield" was an absolute success! Our non-profit, Manassas Battlefield Trust enjoyed a special guest lecture by William Treuting, regarding the documentary film he directed entitled "The Battle of First Manassas" on behalf of the Marine Corps Association. William discussed how he retold the story of the First Battle of Bull Run with a mindset toward his target audience: today’s United States Marines.

Thanks to William, we are incredibly pleased to be able to share his guest lecture recording with you today.

Please join us in early June for our next "Breakfast at the Battlfield" upcoming event!

U.S. Army U.S. Marine Corps Manassas National Battlefield Park Cedar Mountain Battlefield American Battlefield Trust Association of the United States Army - AUSA National National Museum of the United States Army Marine Corps Times National Museum of the Marine Corps


https://youtu.be/v559tmc-_Aw?si=HXIrEkX1o6yM_k-w



Disclaimers: The Manassas Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the official philanthropic partner of Manassas National Battlefield Park. We are an independent nonprofit and not an agency of the U.S. Government. Activities and events are not endorsed by the National Park Service. A financial statement is available upon request from the Virginia Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services (VDACS).

05/06/2026

*****LAST CALL*****

Get your tickets today for tomorrow's event!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/breakfast-at-the-battlefield-with-documentary-filmmaker-william-treuting-tickets-1986427412865

Tomorrow, Thursday May 07th, from 08:00 AM to 09:00 AM, Documentary Filmmaker William Treuting with the Marine Corps Association will be speaking live regarding his two documentaries on the Battles of Manassas! This is an event that you do not want to miss! However, tickets are selling out fast, so it is critical, if you want to attend, that you purchase your ticket today!

About William Treuting:
Treuting, who holds an MA in History from George Mason University, blends scholarly insight with compelling storytelling. In addition to his work in journalism, history, and content creation for the Marine Corps Association, he serves as a battlefield tour guide with Culpeper Battlefield Tours and sits on the Board of Directors for the Cedar Mountain Battlefield Foundation.

Drawing on his deep knowledge of Civil War history and his experience interpreting battlefields for the public, Treuting will discuss the making of his documentary, the enduring significance of Manassas, and the ways in which film and public history shape our understanding of America’s past.

This program offers a rare opportunity to explore Manassas through both historical scholarship and cinematic interpretation. This is a perfect event for history enthusiasts, educators, military, veterans and anyone who values the preservation of our nation’s heritage.

The Manassas Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the official philanthropic partner of Manassas National Battlefield Park. We are an independent nonprofit and not an agency of the U.S. Government. Activities and events are not endorsed by the National Park Service. A financial statement is available upon request from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS).

The Marine Corps Association Films presents the complete Battle of First Manassas documentary! Filmed on location at the Manassas National Battlefield Park, this film tells the story of the battle from a strategic, operational, and tactical level.

To watch "The Battle of First Manassas: Full Movie" via YouTube visit:
https://youtu.be/lb_fMIsnFvk?si=ci6aSLgRS282yq74

To watch the Marine Corps Association Film "The Battle of First Manassas-Part II" visit:
https://youtu.be/2ywPB0t7CRk?si=2cmbPphlH_fJa5dh

Marine Corps Base Quantico Civil War Digital Digest CivilWarTalk.com Civil War Explained CivilWarTalk.com Cedar Mountain BattlefieldGeorge Mason University
Manassas National Battlefield Park American Battlefield Trust U.S. Marine Corps U.S. Army U.S. Army War College National Museum of the United States Army Marine Corps Times






Disclaimers: The Manassas Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the official philanthropic partner of Manassas
National Battlefield Park. We are an independent nonprofit and not an agency of the U.S. Government. Activities and events are not endorsed by the National Park Service. A financial statement is available upon request from the Virginia Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services (VDACS).

21 likes. "MCA Films: The Battle of First Manassas-Part II"

04/24/2026

The Manassas Battlefield Trust is pleased to announce that Chérie L. Johnston has stepped into the leadership role of this vital organization. With over 20 years of experience in leadership, strategic planning, and fundraising as the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Military Children’s Charity, alongside her corporate career, Chérie brings an exceptional combination of executive management, business acumen, donor cultivation, and mission-driven impact. Chérie raised over $1.5 million and distributed 140,000 gifts of appreciation to U.S. military families. She built lasting relationships with government officials, military leadership, and corporate executives, securing major partnerships across all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Alongside Chérie’s nonprofit service, her corporate career includes more than a decade at Panasonic Avionics Corporation, where she led the Veterans Business Impact Group across all of Panasonic’s North American companies. She holds an MBA in International Business and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with dual emphasis in both Economics and International Business from Chapman University.

Chérie’s personal connection to American history runs deep, uniquely positioning her to advance the Trust's mission of preserving and interpreting Civil War history. A longtime member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) with documented family genealogy dating to 1633, when her Johnston ancestors originally settled in the colony of Baltimore Maryland. Chérie’s patriot in the Revolutionary War, her Great Grandfather’s Great Great Grandfather William Patrick Johnston, fought on behalf of the State of Maryland, and then ultimately settled in Frederick County Virginia. During the Civil War, both of Chérie’s paternal Grandparent’s families were present in Wythe County Virginia, in York County Pennsylvania and in Washington DC.

Chérie also served as a Docent at a Presidential Library and completed internships with the U.S. Department of Commerce and for a member of Congress, building a knowledge and love of U.S. history that she now brings to her role at the Trust. Chérie arrives ready to successfully advance the organization’s partnership with and support for the Manassas National Battlefield Park.

Please join us in welcoming Chérie and celebrating this exciting new chapter for the Manassas Battlefield Trust!

Disclaimers: The Manassas Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are an independent nonprofit and not an agency of the U.S. Government. Activities and events are not endorsed by the National Park Service. A financial statement is available upon request from the Virginia Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services (VDACS).

12/03/2025

Just an hour left to make a difference this ! We've raised $2800 so far today - will you be the supporter to push us to $3k? There's still time to donate ---> https://bit.ly/4rykJMq

As a reminder of why this history matters, we're breathing life into the memories of soldiers and civilians who left their mark on the Manassas Battlefields. Follow along as we share some of their stories, and consider donating today:

Andrew Redman, Blacksmith

Andrew Redman was born into slavery in 1831. He learned the trade of blacksmithing, at which he excelled. As his reputation as a skilled craftsman grew, he was often hired out to nearby farms by his enslaver, William Lewis of Brownsville. Prior to the Civil War, he was able to purchase his freedom. He witnessed the chaos and carnage of both Manassas campaigns, and drove a wagon laden with water for wounded soldiers on the fields surrounding his home.

In 1871, after years of renting, Redman purchased his blacksmith shop and two acres of land across from Lucinda Dogan, the daughter of the man who had enslaved him. Over the next four decades, he honed his craft and cultivated a life of dignity and stability for his family.

In his own words:

"On Monday lots of people come from all directions and went perusin' on the battlefield, and I went over that way myself, but I soon turned back after I began to come across dead men. I'd seen enough."

"We saw a good deal of the soldiers all through the war coming and going and camping and fighting. Once a Federal officer stopped at my shop, and his men stood lined up out in the road. While he was talking with me one of the men fell dead as a beef, shot by a bullet from the Confederates who were a full quarter of a mile away."

"After the Emancipation Proclamation I set up my own blacksmith shop and went to work. I felt like a man then, and as if I had something to work for."

12/02/2025

Here at the Manassas Battlefield Trust, everything we do is guided by the principle that 'History Matters.' This we need your support to continue bringing history to life at Manassas National Battlefield Park. Donate to our 2025 Giving Tuesday Campaign here ---> https://bit.ly/4rykJMq

As a reminder of why this work is important, we're breathing life into the memories of soldiers and civilians who left their mark on the Manassas Battlefields. Follow along as we share some of their stories:

John Overton Casler
33rd VA Infantry

John Casler was born in Frederick, Co., VA in 1838. At the outbreak of war he lived in Missouri, but boarded a steamboat for home to enlist. He heard the news of Fort Sumter while en route. The 33rd VA were mostly wearing blue uniforms, adding to the confusion of battle.

Casler survived the war, after which he married and moved to Texas, then Oklahoma. He wrote the book, “Four Years in the Stonewall Brigade” to document his experiences.

In his own words:

"I was no secessionist, and hoped the trouble would be settled without recourse to arms; but when the war came I shouldered my musket on behalf of my state and defended her to the last."

"We got there (that is, Jackson’s Brigade) just in the heat of the battle, and our regiment was on the extreme left , and the enemy was trying to flank us. They did not see us until they were within 50 yards of us, as we were under the brow of the hill, and they were ordered to fire, but we were too soon for them. We fired first, and advanced, and then they fired. We then charged bayonets, yelling like savages, and they retreated, and our regiment took their artillery"