Volunteers and Veterans Join Forces to Enhance Arlington National Cemetery’s Historic Grounds at 20th Annual Renewal & Remembrance Event
Monday, July 11 Day of Service Honors Military with Landscape
Improvements to Protect and Beautify the Resting Place of America’s
Heroes
ARLINGTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–On Monday, July 11, 2016, 400 landscape professionals from 29 states
across the U.S. — many of them veterans themselves — will join together
at Renewal & Remembrance to enhance and beautify our nation’s most
hallowed grounds at Arlington National Cemetery. 2016 marks the
milestone 20th anniversary of the event, which is organized
by the National
Association of Landscape Professionals to honor and give back to our
country’s fallen heroes by helping to ensure the health and pristine
condition of the land where 400,000 service members and their families
rest.
The largest landscape industry day of service in the country, Renewal &
Remembrance encompasses extensive efforts to care for Arlington’s iconic
lawns that are foundational to the beauty and peace the landmark offers
visitors. Projects will include phosphorous application to 95 acres of
turf, including Patton Circle and McClellan Circle, which provides vital
macronutrients that support root growth; aeration of nearly 50 acres of
turf, which opens soil up to air, water and nutrients for vigorous,
dense turf; and the installation and repair of irrigation systems to
optimize watering practices.
Initiatives also include protective measures for Arlington’s vast
landscape, including tree cabling to reinforce and preserve historic
trees, and installing lightening protection to preventatively guard
trees from storm damage. Other landscape and hardscape projects will
simultaneously take place throughout the cemetery, as well as a
children’s program where kids ages 3-13 will plant flowers and learn
about history and the importance of taking care of the natural
environment.
Renewal & Remembrance will kick off at 7:45 a.m. with an opening
ceremony featuring keynote speeches, a dedication of the day’s work and
the Presentation of the Colors by the ANC color guard at the James R.
Tanner Amphitheater, followed by grounds work throughout the morning
until 1 p.m. A special wreath laying by select children at the Tomb of
the Unknown Soldier will take place at 9:15 a.m.
“It’s a true honor to have helped shape Arlington National Cemetery —
one of our country’s most treasured and meaningful landmarks — over the
past two decades,” said Missy Henriksen, Vice President of Public
Affairs, NALP. “For our members, it’s about more than putting their
livelihood to work. It’s about showing the ultimate sign of respect for
veterans who have made great sacrifices for our freedom, as well as
providing comfort and serenity through nature to families and friends
remembering their loved ones.”
Since the inception of Renewal & Remembrance in 1996 with only 50
volunteers, the event has multiplied in both participation and scope.
Notable projects have included redesigning Lee’s Rose Garden and laying
sod around the burial sites of victims of the 9/11 attacks at the
Pentagon.
“So much has changed since our first project at Arlington National
Cemetery more than 20 years ago. However, one thing remains the same —
our commitment to honoring our nation’s servicemen and women the best
way we know how…by providing landscape services to these beautiful
grounds,” said Phil Fogarty, owner of Weed Man-Cleveland, Ohio, who
played a critical role in first bringing the event to life. “This
collaboration with Arlington gives us all an opportunity to say thanks
to those who have enabled us to live free and peaceful lives.”
For more information on Renewal & Remembrance, visit the event website.
For more information about NALP, visit LandscapeProfessionals.org
and LoveYourLandscape.org.
About NALP
The National Association of Landscape Professionals represents an
industry that employs nearly 1 million landscape, lawn care, irrigation
and tree care professionals who create and maintain healthy green spaces
for the benefit of society and the environment. For more information,
visit LoveYourLandscape.org.
Contacts
Media Contacts (Media RSVP requested, press will be escorted on-site):
Vault
Communications
Kaitlin Moyer, 610-455-2749
kmoyer@vaultcommunications.com
or
Vault
Communications
Stephanie Kensy, 610-455-2767
skensy@vaultcommunications.com
