10 | November/December 2014
W
hether they want to visit a family
member who lost his or her life while
serving the U.S., pay respects to individuals
who are currently protecting the country or
see a historic American monument, nearly four
million people travel to the iconic Arlington
National Cemetery each year.
Arlington National Cemetery grounds
include 624 acres of grassland, an impressive
tree canopy and bountiful shrubs and plants.
With such massive landscapes that preserve
the memory of the country's heroes, sometimes
a little help is required.
Crews from The Care of Tree's (TCOT)
Dulles office headed out on a hot, sunny August
afternoon to put their tributes into action
to help keep the iconic landscape beautiful,
healthy and flourishing. The crew, including
District Manager Jeremy Baker, Climbers Tyler
Pollock and Jesse Tillack and Groundman In-
tern Levi Johnson, volunteered time and labor
as part of the Professional Landcare Network's
(PLANET) annual Renewal and Remembrance
Day of Service.
"Many different companies, from land-
scaping to tree care, attend," Baker says.
"Usually, about 500 volunteers are there in
order to pay respect and give back to those
who have served."
Throughout the day, Arlington National
Cemetery receives some serious care and
respect. Volunteers work from morning to
night to prune, plant flowers and shrubs, apply
lime to the lawn and perform general landscape
maintenance. TCOT worked alongside the
other volunteers to install lightning protection
to a white oak and support cables to help
preserve two hemlocks.
This year, Baker says this is his seventh time
participating in the Renewal and Remembrance
Day of Service. When the TCOT crew first
started volunteering for this event, the cemetery
was losing an average of 25 trees a year to
lightning damage. In the past two years, the
number has dropped to two trees in two years,
both of which are still living.
"This day turned out fantastic, and we
really exceeded the expectations of the
cemetery personnel," Baker explains. "The
difference from start to finish is phenomenal.
It feels great to be able to give back to not
only those who have lost their lives, but also
to those who are still serving to protect our
rights and freedoms."
Showing Tribute Through Action
Climber Jesse Tillack installs lightning
protection at Arlington National Cemetery.
Photo courtesy of army.mil.
