To many, “R&R” means “rest and relaxation.” But to the hundreds of volunteers from landscape, lawn care and tree care companies who banded together on July 16 to beatify the grounds at Arlington National and Historic Congressional Cemeteries, “R&R” means Renewal & Remembrance.
Renewal & Remembrance, an annual event coordinated by the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), joins hundreds of industry members from across the nation to spend the day volunteering their time and expertise on lawn care, landscaping, tree care and irrigation projects.
In its 11 years, R&R has contributed more than $1 million to enhance the environments at these two national shrines. This year’s donation is valued between $250,000 and $300,000 in materials and work. “Just remember today is a day of thank you,” said Tom Shotzbarger, Renewal & Remembrance project coordinator and general manager of Tomlinson Bomberger in Lancaster, Pa. “Every tree is a thank you. Every blade of grass is a thank you,” Shotzbarger said at the dedication ceremony. “We volunteer because we believe we can make a difference if we improve the quality of life for all who visit and honor all who are buried on this national site, Arlington Cemetery.”
Jim Martin, president of James Martin Associates, Vernon Hills, Ill., and PLANET president, called the annual opportunity to donate services and time through R&R a “privilege” and applauded participants for their “industry-leading stewardship.” Arlington Cemetery’s superintendent Jack Metzler and guest speaker U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell from Iowa also thanked the group. “It’s wonderful we can be here together and appreciate what’s been given to us,” said Boswell, a Vietnam veteran. “Thank you for keeping this beautiful place beautiful.”
Next, Roger Zino, president and COO of ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance, issued a dedication of work. “Performing this task with expertise, professionalism and passion will play a part in not only honoring the dead, but inspiring the living to do our best in all we do.”
Around 8:30 a.m. about 20 crews got to work. On what Arlington’s Horticulturist Eric Dihle called an “average day” at the cemetery – with 28 burials and approximately 50,000 visitors – green industry volunteers completed a not-so-average task that included:
• Applying 117.7 tons of lime to 270 acres of the 612 acre cemetery;
• Renovating landscape areas near the visitor’s center;
• Providing tree protection services;
• Updating parts of the irrigation system; and
• Providing weed control, landscaping and tree care services at Historic Congressional Cemetery.
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Tom Shotzbarger, Renewal & Remembrance coordinator and general manager of Tomlinson Bomberger in Lancaster, Pa., rallies volunteers in the early morning of July 16. Photo: Lawn & Landscape
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In addition to hearing opening remarks at the Old Ampitheater from Shotzbarger, Arlington's Superintendent Jack Metzler, Arlington's Senior Chaplain Charlie R. Stutts and PLANET President Jim Martin, volunteers were thanked by guest speaker U.S. Representative Leonard Boswell from Iowa, who acknowledged the privileges all Americans enjoy. "It's wonderful we can be here together and appreciate what's been given to us," he said. Photo: Lawn & Landscape
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By 8:30, green industry volunteers got to work. Mike Dietrich of John Deere Landscapes/LESCO prepares bags of lime to be applied on his team's section of the cemetery. Dietrich, who said he's attended 10 out of 11 Renewal & Remembrance events said: "This is a very worthwhile thing to do." Photo: Lawn & Landscape
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Mike McCown of Your Lawn in Ashville, Ohio, applies lime among rows of headstones in Arlington National Cemetery's section 48. Photo: Lawn & Landscape
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An irrigation technician from Middletown Sprinkler Co. in Port Monmouth, N.J., assists in an irrigation audit near the visitor's parking garage. Photo: Lawn & Landscape
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Miles Kuperus Jr of Farmside Landscape & Design in Wantage, N.J., and his son Miles, 14, work in a plant bed near the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. Photo: Lawn & Landscape
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