Hundreds of volunteers ignored cloudy skies and morning rain to get their hands dirty making Arlington National Cemetery more beautiful.
Nearly 400 adults, aided by approximately 50 children, took Monday off from landscaping companies in 29 states to help beautify the grounds at the famous cemetery. Adults pruned and braced trees, aerated soil and put down lime, while the children learned to plant perennials. A local horticulturalist was also on hand to teach the kids about the caterpillars and other insects they found.
Two lucky volunteers, 10-year-old Shelby Wanzor of Atlanta and 11-year-old Abby Bradley of Falmouth, Mass., wrote winning essays that earned them a chance to lay wreaths during a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Monday's was the 16th of such beautification events organized by the Professional Landcare Network.
