On Saturday, June 27, Washington Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge: "The Soul of Valley Forge" will present A Day of Thanksgiving: Honoring the Spirit That Shaped a Nation, a special America 250 commemorative event bringing together history, faith, and patriotism at the very place where General George Washington's Continental Army endured one of the darkest and most defining chapters of the American Revolution. Set amid the landscape of the revered Valley Forge, the event will honor the generations of Americans who have sacrificed in defense of liberty while exploring the profound influence of faith on the founding of the nation.

The afternoon will begin at 2 PM with a free outdoor screening of the acclaimed Sight & Sound film A Great Awakening, presented on a massive 17-foot by 10-foot HD Jumbotron across from the Chapel's Cabin Shop Café. Filmed, in part, on the Washington Memorial Chapel campus, the cinematic production tells the story of renowned evangelist The Rev. George Whitefield, whose preaching ignited the First Great Awakening and inspired tens of thousands of colonists. 

At 5 PM, the Chapel will host a special Service of Thanksgiving and Evensong based upon the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, the same prayer book that helped shape the spiritual life of George Washington and countless Americans during the nation's founding era. Delivering the keynote address will be Brigadier General Ed Brandt (Ret.), former Deputy Chief of Chaplains for the Army National Guard, former Chief Chaplain of the National Guard Bureau, and current Senior Pastor of United Church of Marco Island, FL. 

Following the service, guests will gather in the newly renovated Patriot's Hall for a reception celebrating the preservation of Washington Memorial Chapel and the role historic institutions continue to play in connecting Americans with their heritage. The reception will provide an opportunity for fellowship, conversation, and reflection as the nation prepares to commemorate the semiquincentennial of the United States.