 Wednesday
forenoon
I planted my first tree of friendship in European soil.
It seemed to me especially appropriate that it took place in
Germany —— in its metropolis —— Berlin. The planting occurred in
a sports platz formerly devoted to war purposes, and a large
number including Rotarians, city officials and others were in
attendance. I was offered my choice of three trees of different
species all of which had been groomed for the ceremony. My
choice fell upon a Maple and I was then given the choice of
three locations. Having selelected what seemed to me the most
appropriate tree and location, the ceremony began. There were
two brief addresses, one by the mayor and one by myself. The
tree was planted with the fervent hope that it would stand for
many years as symbolic of the living, growing friendship between
the great German people and my own country. Since leaving
Germany I have learned that our German friends have planted a
little monument in front of the tree commemorating the event and
describing the purpose it was intended to serve.
The first "tree" was planted by president
Sydney Pascall, RI president in 1931 who was the first president to
plant a tree during a
presidential visit.
Harris' first tree was
in his own garden, in honor of a pioneer Australian Rotarian
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