Renewal & Remembrance 2013 Draws Hundreds of Green Industry Volunteers

PLANET members to lime, aerate, prune, plant, and cable trees at Arlington National Cemetery for the 17th Annual Renewal & Remembrance event.

PLANET, the national landscape industry association's, 2013 volunteer Renewal & Remembrance event at Arlington National Cemetery.
PLANET, the national landscape industry association's, 2013 volunteer Renewal & Remembrance event at Arlington National Cemetery.
PLANET/Philippe Nobile Photography

On July 22, 2013, hundreds of members of PLANET, the national landscape industry association, spent the day preserving and enhancing the landscape at Arlington National Cemetery for the 17th annual Renewal & Remembrance beautification project.

On this special volunteer day, landscape industry professionals dedicate their time to enhance the beauty of Arlington National Cemetery by mulching, pruning, aerating, planting, liming, and cabling trees with lightning protection on more than 150 acres. Known for its rolling green hills and majestic trees, Arlington National Cemetery’s impressive landscape serves as tribute to the service and sacrifice of those laid to rest within its hallowed grounds.

“PLANET and its members feel truly privileged to be able to give back in this way to honor America’s veterans and heroes each year,” said Glenn Jacobsen, Landscape Industry Certified, president of PLANET. “Renewal & Remembrance is also an important day for our children to begin to understand the sacrifice given for our country and why Arlington National Cemetery means so much to all of us.”

Many PLANET members bring their children to Renewal & Remembrance. Children between the ages of 3 and 12 participate in a special program where they plant perennials on the cemetery grounds. Two children of PLANET members also get to participate in laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Several PLANET member volunteers are also veterans. “As a military veteran and landscape professional, I have a personal connection to Renewal & Remembrance,” said Bob Brophy, PLANET member and former combat medic, 2nd Squadron, 1st Calvary Regiment in Vietnam. “My Army unit was as close as brothers could be, and coming to Arlington’s National Cemetery each year to beautify the grounds, allows me to pay tribute to my friends and other veterans, our true heroes.”

Renewal & Remembrance Facts

  • This event, which began in 1997 as a small, one-day event, has grown to involve more than 400 adults and 40 children
  • Approximately 100 landscape industry companies and organizations represented
  • Participants from 34 states
  • 66 tons of lime applied to 154 acres
  • 45 acres of turf aerated
  • Seven trees are pruned, cabling and bracing installed
  • Lightning protection for six trees
  • Columbarium and Administrative Building, and Receiving Vault irrigation systems updated
  • New Holland Construction and Caterpillar were the Platinum sponsors for this year’s Renewal & Remembrance.
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