Day on the Hill: Patriotic Professionalism

Industry professionals from 30 states gathered Monday to volunteer their services for a restoration project in honor of America’s military heroes.

Nearly 200 lawn care operators donated their time, products and services during the traditional liming event at Arlington National Cemetery and the Historic Congressional Cemetery. Sponsored by the Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA), the 7th annual “Renewal and Remembrance” project was part of the industry association’s 14th annual Legislative Day on Capitol Hill.

The patriots and heroes buried in the two historical sites come from every part of the country, PLCAA members were honored to offer their time as a tribute to their sacrifices.

“When one considers what these brave women and men did for our country, donating time, money and products to ensure that their final resting place is beautiful and well-kept is the very least we can do,” observed PLCAA President Jon Cundiff, from Weed Man in Lee’s Summit, Mo.

The project saw its largest attendance this year, allowing professionals to cover more than 200 acres in less than four hours.

“It's one thing to be in an association and meet together,” noted Tom Delaney, PLCAA vice president. “But it's another to work together and sweat together. The project was a team effort.”

Project participants also had the opportunity to hear from Cundiff and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi at the “Renewal and Remembrance” ceremony.

“We’re volunteering manpower, tools and equipment to lime the cemetery grounds here and at the historic Congressional Cemetery just a few miles north of the Capitol,” Cundiff said during the “Renewal and Remembrance” ceremony. “We’d like to dedicate our skills to help these two great cemeteries so they can reap the environmental rewards of a healthy, well-maintained lawn and landscape for months to come. PLCAA encourages all lawn and landscape professionals to follow our example and volunteer in similar projects in their own communities.”

The author is Assistant Editor-Internet of Lawn & Landscape magazine and can be reached at aanderson@lawnandlandscape.com.