Marshall Lecture canceled after speaker pulls out

The 2012 Marshall Lecture, slated for April 19, has been canceled because of a scheduling conflict, Fort Vancouver National Trust officials announced Tuesday.

This year’s edition of the annual George C. Marshall Lecture was to feature Sergey I. Kislyak, Russian ambassador to the United States, in a public address at Hudson’s Bay High School. His appearance was canceled because of an unforeseen visit to Washington, D.C., by Igor Shuvalov, Russian first deputy prime minister, on the same day.

Jenny Storer, Fort Vancouver National Trust spokeswoman, said there was not enough time to find another speaker, so the event was canceled.

Trust officials said in a news release that they extend “their sincere thanks to everyone associated with the planning of this event.”

The Marshall Lecture series is one of several Celebrate Freedom events organized by the nonprofit Fort Vancouver National Trust. It is named for the Nobel Peace Prize winner whose namesake plan helped reconstruct Europe following the Allies’ victory in World War II. From 1936 to 1938, Marshall was commander of the Vancouver Barracks. He was appointed Army chief of staff in 1939 and served in that capacity during the war.

The next Celebrate Freedom event is Flag Day at 3:30 p.m. June 14 at the bandstand on the Fort Vancouver National Site Parade Ground.