Twelve-year-old Lily Ginn and her nine-year-old sister Ainsley enjoyed planting flowers outside Arlington National Cemetery’s Receiving Vault in Section 13. “It's fun watching all of them come together when they're on the ground,” Lily said. Ainsley added, “I like helping the Earth.”
The two girls had been brought to the cemetery by their father, Brad Ginn, a landscaper and former Marine, who was volunteering for the 29th annual National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) Renewal and Remembrance event on July 15, 2025.
The project allows landscapers from around the country to participate in landscaping at the nation’s most sacred cemetery. This year, projects included planting flowers and plants, applying lime to Section 60 and installing lightning protection systems to safeguard several trees in Section 7. This year, more than 150 landscapers and their families attended.
The project commenced with introductions and greetings by ANC Acting Superintendent and Director of Office of Army Cemeteries Renea Yates, NALP Chair Pamela Dooley, NALP Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Membership Andrew Bray and NALP Children’s Program founder Lisa Kuperus. U.S. Army Chaplain (Capt.) Joseph Campbell provided the invocation. “Thank you for helping us safeguard and preserve our landscape and arboretum,” Yates told the landscapers before they dispersed into the cemetery.
Eleven-year-old Paige Brummel worked next to the Ginn sisters, planting annual and perennial flowers. “I learned the difference between the two kinds of plants,” she said with a smile. Her mother, Kate Brummel, who brought her from Blue Springs, Kansas, called the cemetery a first-hand history lesson. “It’s a gift to get her here,” she said.
At the Wheaton parking lot near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Beth Berry from Indianapolis, Indiana, supervised planting perennials in the island separating the lot from the road. She made sure the plants were far enough from the curb so that winter snowplows would not roll over them. She also ensured everything was aligned on the island, “so when you come around that corner,” she said, pointing at a slight bend in the road, “it's really important that everything's perfectly lined up.”
In Section 60, landscapers used spreaders to sprinkle lime, which helps correct soil acidity and pH levels. Anthony Navia, who brought his 15-year-old daughter Cassie from North Carolina, had just finished a row when he spoke about the event’s importance. “This is the least we can do for those who did the most,” he said. Cassie, who had previously been a part of the Children’s Program, enjoyed the physical labor. “A great deal of effort has been put into this cemetery to respect those who have died for our country,” she said.
In Section 7, landscapers scaled several trees to install lightning systems. “Now, if lightning hits, it'll blow bits off the tree,” Kevin Dowd explained, “but it won't blow the tree apart to where it has to be removed.” Joey Keefe, who was helping Dowd, said working in the cemetery brings him peace. “This is a day where I can just lay all my personal stuff behind and give back,” he said. “I'm humbled when I come here.”
While all the landscapers came to work, some came for something more important. Ginn, whose two daughters enjoyed planting flowers, planned to visit the grave of his Marine buddy in Section 60, whose funeral he attended in 2014. “I finally think that my daughters are old enough to understand,” he said.
The day ended with a tour of ANC’s display room and a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In the display room, ANC Curator Rod Gainer explained the history of the cemetery and the Tomb. With their volunteer work complete, and a renewed appreciation of the cemetery, the NALP volunteers headed out, knowing they had paid tribute to the country’s fallen in their own unique way.
