At Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, the Schiller Grounds Care team joined more than 400 volunteers from about 50 landscape companies and organizations to complete a wide range of grounds maintenance projects.

 

The Schiller team provided aeration equipment and volunteers to help aerate the cemetery lawn. It's an opportunity to give back and to make a difference. Photo Courtesy of Schiller Grounds Care

For the families who come to honor their loved ones at Arlington National Cemetery, the hallowed grounds provide an assemblage of beauty and peace. Situated on 624 acres just across the Potomac River from Washington D.C., the cemetery features rolling hills, majestic trees and colorful flower gardens. It's a pristine tribute to the service, sacrifice and valor of the more than 400,000 individuals who have come to their final rest at the cemetery.

This past summer, a team from Schiller Grounds Care, Inc. helped to provide some of the grounds work in support of the National Association of Landscape Professionals' annual Renewal and Remembrance event. Employees from three Schiller brands, including RYAN, Steiner and Classen, lent their hand to the cause. While Schiller volunteers said they were excited to help, they added that working the grounds provided a solemn reminder of the cemetery's national significance.

"At one point, we had to stop work while a funeral was underway," said Bruno Quanquin, vice president of sales and marketing for Classen, Little Wonder and Mantis. "For me, it was extremely moving to participate in the beautification of this resting place for so many national heroes."

Organized and sponsored by National Association of Landscape Professionals, the Renewal and Remembrance event is one of the largest landscape industry days of service in the country. This year, NALP volunteers improved more than 200 acres at the cemetery, assisting with everything from mulching and planting to liming and applying gypsum.

"Along with the other volunteers, we aerated nearly 45 acres of turf in a single day," said Matt Donohue, brand director for BOB-CAT, RYAN and Steiner. "It was a lot of work, but it was nothing in comparison to what these brave soldiers did each day. We were more than honored to help preserve their memory through beautifying Arlington's historic grounds."

In addition to lawn care, volunteers also provided arborist services such as cabling, lightning protection and irrigation installation.

Linda Beattie, marketing manager for Classen, Little Wonder and Mantis, has participated at the event for several years, as a sponsor representative and as a volunteer. The cause is near and dear to her heart.

"I come from a military family: Both of my brothers served in the military, my husband is a Navy veteran, and my son is a proud Air Force officer," said Beattie. "Every time I step off the bus onto the cemetery grounds for this event, I am humbled and proud to be a part of it to do my part for our fallen veterans."

The Renewal and Remembrance event was founded in 1997 by Phil Fogarty, a Weed Man franchise owner and owner of Cleveland-based Crowley's Vegetation Control. Fogarty was inspired by similar enhancement projects within the arboricultural industry.

Since then, the event has grown to incorporate landscape volunteer families and special projects for children. These projects include an education program, planting annuals and perennials, arranging flowers for graves and participating in the laying of the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.