PBI/Gordon Corporation, a member of the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), participated in Renewal & Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, July 9, 2012.

Hundreds of landscape and lawn care professionals from across the nation bring their crews to Arlington National Cemetery to spend the day mulching, upgrading sprinklers, cabling and installing lightning protection for trees, pruning, liming 150 acres, planting, and aerating the soil.

“Our members look forward to this opportunity each year to give back to the men and women who gave their lives for their country,” said Walter Wray, Landscape Industry Certified Technician, PLANET member and chairman of the event. “We consider it a privilege to be able to lend our time and talents to such a worthwhile project.” Many PLANET members have special connections at the cemetery either through relatives and friends who are buried there or through their own military service.

The day began at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony featuring a joint color guard and speaker presentations to dedicate the day of work and helping to maintain these hallowed grounds.

“As a Silver sponsor for this event, PBI/Gordon has participated for the past 12 years,” said Jim Goodrich, Product Specialist for PBI/Gordon’s Professional Products and U.S. Navy veteran. Goodrich, along with Gary Custis, Field Research Manager, both from the Kansas City office and Scott Wanzor and Ray Funkhouser, sales representatives from Georgia and Virginia, attended the three-day event. “It’s a humbling experience and a tremendous honor to volunteer at Arlington National Cemetery. For a majority of the volunteers, myself included, it holds a special place in our hearts as either someone who has fought to preserve the freedoms afforded to us by the brave men and women buried here, or as someone who has an ancestor buried here. By volunteering our time to help keep the monument in top shape for the American people, it is our way of thanking those who have lost their lives protecting the liberties established by the U.S. Constitution.”

Goodrich adds, “This year, the PBI/Gordon family has an additional reason to be proud – Wanzor’s daughter, Shelby, wrote a winning essay about the importance of Arlington National Cemetery and helped to lay the commemorative wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the Changing of the Guard ceremonies.”

PLANET partnered with the Irrigation Association, and the event’s Platinum sponsor was New Holland Construction.