Global Glow: Holiday Tree Lighting Celebrates Marshall Plan, Shared Values

The holiday spirit was alive and well this weekend as guests, community leaders and diplomats gathered at Dodona Manor for the 5th annual Marshall Plan Tree Walk lighting on Saturday. This signature holiday event highlights – through individually decorated trees – the 17 European nations that participated in the U.S.-sponsored post-WWII recovery effort known to history as the Marshall Plan.

Festive cheer was in the air as the Old Dominion Chorus regaled the crowd with holiday classics and Boy Scout Troop 1154 helped fellow youngsters make delicious S’Mores (courtesy of Purely Picnics) and seasonal crafts.

Marshall Center board chairman Tom Greenspon welcomed guests and stressed the enduring importance of alliances among the democracies of North America and Western Europe before introducing keynote speaker Caroline Monvoisin, the Consul General at the French Embassy in Washington.

In her remarks, Monvoisin underscored the reciprocal relationship between the United States and France, underscoring the enduring importance of the Marshall Plan’s legacy.

“The Marshall Plan laid out the path to Europe’s recovery through a set of key principles: multilateralism, solidarity and the premise of European cooperation,” said Monvoisin. “In an increasingly uncertain world, with growing threats jeopardizing our democratic societies, defending our values and maintaining close cooperation between our countries is more important than ever.”

Monvoisin adorned the French tree with beautiful ornaments commemorating the 2024 Olympics hosted in Paris. Nina Zindovic, Public Affairs Officer from the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, decorated the Luxembourg tree with a new batch of themed ornaments.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk led the countdown to a symphony of light as the beautiful holiday trees were Illuminated one by one.

Be sure to visit the trees, which will be on display along the brick walk by Dodona Manor for the public to enjoy until the end of the year.

A big thank you to Monoc Securities and all of our generous sponsors for making this annual tradition possible!