FORT LESLEY J. MCNAIR, Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Defense College (IADC) hosted its annual Fall Festival and Halloween celebration, welcoming more than 300 participants for an evening of cultural exchange, family fun, and community engagement on Fort McNair.
The event brought together students, faculty, staff, and their families from 19 nations represented in the IADC master’s program. Guests experienced a distinctly American tradition that featured trick-or-treating, games, food, and shared laughter among the IADC community and Fort McNair residents.
This event allows families to come together and get a taste of what it is to celebrate Halloween in the United States," said Brazilian Navy Rear Admiral Paulo Ozorio, Vice Director, "This cultural exchange is a unique opportunity for our students that come from 19 different countries to learn more about the Halloween celebrations, strengthen relationships and the spirit of hemispheric cooperation".
The event was made possible through the combined efforts of the Inter-American Defense College, the Inter-American Defense Board, the Inter-American Defense College Foundation, and Fort McNair residents, including senior Department of Defense leaders. Fort McNair’s Medical Clinic also supported the event by providing on-site medical coverage.
“It was a pleasure being able to participate and help out our neighbors here at the IADC,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Tahsin Chowdhury, Fort McNair Medical Clinic. “While we are in different institutions, we share a base together and provide support to each other whenever we can. It’s a pleasure to be here and help out.”
Attendees enjoyed trick-or-treating through the Fort McNair neighborhood, where residents and DoD leaders handed out candy and opened their homes to students and families. The IADC Foundation hosted a tent for lifetime members, while students and their families participated in games and shared a meal together.
The Halloween celebration reinforced the college’s commitment to community unity, cultural understanding, and institutional cooperation.
The Inter-American Defense College operates under the Inter-American Defense Board at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C. As an accredited academic institution, its mission is to prepare military officers, national police, and civilian government officials to assume high-level strategic positions in defense and security across the hemisphere.
The college promotes democracy, human rights, and hemispheric collaboration while strengthening international cooperation among the member states of the Organization of American States. More than 3,000 graduates from 28 countries have completed its programs, including presidents, cabinet ministers, ambassadors, and flag-rank officers.
| Date Taken: |
11.04.2025 |
| Date Posted: |
11.13.2025 08:56 |
| Story ID: |
550985 |
| Location: |
WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: |
90 |
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0 |
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