Each year, more than 3 million people visit Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place for only those who have served our country. The cemetery performs nearly 7,000 funeral services each year. The impressive landscape, with its rolling green hills dotted with trees that are hundreds of years old, serves as a tribute to the service and sacrifice of the more than 400,000 laid to rest within its hallowed grounds.
It’s common for a cemetery visitor to see a horse-drawn caisson carrying an American flag-draped casket, hear the firing of three rifle volleys in the distance or feel the lump in their throat as a lone bugler plays the 24 lingering notes of “Taps.” These honors remind everyone of the service, sacrifice and valor of these service men and women. It’s how we take care of those who have defended and protected our freedoms.
To honor these American heroes, the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) holds a Renewal & Remembrance event each year, and HighGrove Partners joined the more than 400 lawn and landscape professionals from across the country at the event to donate time and service expertise to beautifying and maintaining these extraordinary grounds.
A Day To Serve
On July 28, green industry experts donated their services to care for more than a quarter of the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, including more than 180 of the cemetery’s 624 acres and several historic trees. Volunteers mulched, pruned, aerated, planted, limed and cared for the landscape. Irrigation pros audited, inspected and repaired needed watering systems. Tree care experts installed lightning protection on five of the cemetery’s historic trees and provided support for seven others with cabling.
“The cemetery has lost many trees in major storms, including the 220-year-old Arlington Oak, which shaded the Kennedy gravesite until it fell in 2011 during Hurricane Irene,” said HighGrove CEO Jim McCutcheon, who is also this year’s PLANET president and, as such, led the industry group at the event.
In addition to this important work on the trees, when creating new planting areas, McCutcheon said the goal was to install spaces that looked natural, like they’d been there for years—spaces to which people who come to visit their loved ones can feel welcome. McCutcheon was even interviewed on Fox 5 about this aspect of Renewal and Remembrance.
A Day To Remember
Taking part in Renewal & Remembrance is important to the industry, and particularly to HighGrove Partners.
The Americans who dedicated their lives to our country gave us their best; at Renewal & emembrance, green industry members get to return that favor for just one day.
“As the cemetery marks its 150th anniversary this year, it is imperative we take care of and preserve this national treasure for future generations,” McCutcheon says. “It is the least we can do, as the landscape and lawn care industry, to help care for these sacred grounds.”
HighGrove’s Community Service & Volunteer Efforts
Want to learn more about HighGrove Partners’ volunteer efforts and how we give back to the community?
Give HighGrove professionals a call at 678-298-0550, or use our simple contact form.
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