ARLINGTON, Va. — On Monday, July 20, hundreds of landscape professionals will descend on Arlington National Cemetery to beautify and improve more than one quarter of the cemetery’s historic grounds as part of Renewal & Remembrance.
Organized by the National Assn. of Landscape Professionals (NALP), Renewal and Remembrance will involve more than 400 volunteer landscape professionals from throughout the United States.
Entering its 19th year, Renewal & Remembrance is the largest landscape industry day of service in the country. More than 200 of the cemetery’s 624 acres will be touched by the volunteers. They will be mulching, pruning, aerating, planting, liming and applying gypsum.
Approximately 80 tons of lime will be applied to 182 acres of turf to ensure Arlington’s rolling green landscape remains pristine. By helping to neutralize acidic soils, the application of limestone makes nutrients in the soil more available to Arlington’s lawns.
Irrigation experts will work on various locations throughout the cemetery performing audits, and inspecting and repairing irrigation systems as needed.
Tree care experts will install lightning protection on seven of the cemetery’s historic trees and cable two others for support. The lightning protection and cabling are important, say organizers, because the cemetery has lost several historic trees in major storms.
“Arlington National Cemetery holds a special place in the hearts of Americans. Its breathtaking appearance reflects the high esteem that we bestow on our veterans and service members who have given so much for all of us,” said association president Scott Jamieson, Landscape Industry Certified. “It is a rewarding honor to be able to give back, as an association of landscape professionals, by helping to care for these sacred grounds.”
Several volunteers are veterans who served in our nation’s Armed Forces, have a family member serving in the military, or have a loved one interred in the cemetery.
“It means a lot to me to participate in this event,” said Jake Johnson, who served three overseas deployments with the Marine Corps and works for LawnAmerica in Tulsa, Okla. Johnson lost three buddies during a 2010 Afghanistan deployment who are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. “It’s a good opportunity for me to give back to those who are buried there. I feel like I owe them a lot more. I can carry their memories forward by giving back.”
Renewal & Remembrance will kick off with an opening ceremony at the James R. Tanner Amphitheater (formerly the Old Amphitheater) at 7:30 a.m. Grounds work will commence immediately after the ceremony and continue until 11:30 a.m.
To honor the service and sacrifice of the nation’s veterans and military service members, two children of association members will place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at 9:15 a.m. Fifty children ages 3-13 will plant perennial flowers on the cemetery grounds in the morning.
New Holland Construction and Caterpillar are platinum sponsors for Renewal & Remembrance. For more information about NALP, visit www.
About the National Assn. of Landscape Professionals
The National Assn. of Landscape Professionals is the voice of 100,000 landscape industry professionals who create and maintain healthy green spaces. The association advocates on issues impacting its members and offers mentoring and education programs that inspire its members to excellence. Many members become Landscape Industry Certified, achieving the highest standard of industry expertise, business professionalism and knowledge. Get more information at www.landscapeprofessionals.
Post a comment
Report Abusive Comment