09-01-04 | News

Giving the Gift of Green

PLCAA members donate a day of landscape services
at the Arlington National Cemetery

By Jodie Carter, regional editor

PLCAA members placed sod near recent gravesites.

 

In July, more than 200 Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA) members donated a day of service at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. The group pruned trees and shrubs, fertilized the lawn, placed sod, mulched and performed other landscape tasks to improve 235 acres of green space. Sod was laid on the most recent gravesites.

Pruned and planted trees and shrubs (above) and dug and hauled away brush below). Their day of work, along with donated products is valued at over $100,000.

Those who donated their time and energy included professionals in the lawn care, landscape and tree care industries who wanted to improve the cemetery in honor of Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

“We [landscape industry members] wanted to give back to the armed forces and the American people,” stated Tom Delaney, PLCAA vice president of government affairs. “We thought that helping to care for this hallowed ground would be a great way to give back,” Delaney added.

More than 200 PLCAA members donated a day of work to improve 235 acres of land at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. The day was held in conjunction with the PLCAA?EUR??,,????'???s eighth annual Renewal and Remembrance Day where members meet with congressional representatives on Capitol Hill to discuss industry issues.

The event was held in conjunction with the PLCAA’s eighth annual Renewal and Remembrance Day where they meet with congressional representatives on Capitol Hill to discuss important issues facing the industry such as the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) funding, the H-2B guest worker program, 21st Century Water Commission legislation (H.R. 135) and association health care programs.

The Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) cosponsor this annual event.

For more information on how you can get involved visit the PLCAA’s website at www.plcaa.org.