Dodona Manor Tree Walk Highlights Marshall Plan’s European Impact

As part of the continuing commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Marshall Plan, the Leesburg home of Gen. George C. Marshall will feature a festive light display all through December.

The European Recovery Program was a U.S. effort that supplied nearly $13 billion to help finance rebuilding efforts in 17 European nations in the wake of World War II. The Marshall Plan Tree Walk features trees decorated to represent each of the participating nations.

During a ceremony to light the tree Saturday evening, André Haspels, the U.S. ambassador from the Kingdom of the Netherlands spoke about the importance of the Marshall Plan—in the past and in the future.

“I was born in 1962 and I grew up in a world that was shaped by the Marshall Plan,” he said.