To All American Patriots:

Marion Park rightfully sits on South Carolina Avenue, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., at E Street, 4th through 6th Streets, South East, and is one of four Capitol Hill East National Parks.

In 1887, The US Army Corps of Engineers chose Brigadier General Francis Marion, “The Swamp Fox,” for the honors when they named Reservation 18 “Marion Park.”  Over a century and a score years later, all Americans have the opportunity to finally thank a true American Hero for his contribution to the formation of the United States of America by placing a monument in his name on this part of the city he helped to create.

The United States Congress, along with the appropriate offices and agencies such as the National Park Service and the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission, have reviewed the historical validity of “The Swamp Fox” and found his significance to be more than deserving of honor in Washington, D.C., due to his derring-do and will-o’-a-wisp tactics befuddling Lord Cornwallis, Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton, Major John Marjoribanks, Lord Rawdon and other British commanding officers during the struggle for America’s Independence from Great Britain.

The President of the United States of America agreed and signed the authorization into law on May 8, 2008, completing the first step of the five step process.

Now is the time to finish what was started 120 years ago.

The Francis Marion Memorial Project, a committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, is charged with the next four steps:

• Site Selection: 
  Through the National Park Service, U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and National Capital Planning Commission, to which the Marion Park Project will apply for selection of a site following  a study of alternatives (Alternative Site Selection Study) and completion of an Environmental Assessment as required by the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA).
  
  
• Design of the Memorial:
  Through the National Park Service, United States Commission of Fine Arts, and the National Capital Planning Commission, in coordination with the District of Columbia Office of Historic Preservation.
  
  
• Funding the Memorial:
  Through grateful Americans, who will fund the project through patriotism, inspiration, and gratitude.
  
  
• Implementation of the Memorial:
  With the advice of the National Park Service, our country's guardian of national resources, and upon completion of the requirements of the Commemorative Works Act, a permit for construction of the memorial will be issued.
  

With America’s help, Brigadier General Francis Marion’s contribution to the success of the American Revolution will forever be memorialized in Our Nation’s Capital.

John F. McCabe
Chairman, Francis Marion Memorial Project
A Committee of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation