Around 20 children were among the hundreds of orange-vest-clad volunteers who came to Arlington National Cemetery on July 15, 2024, as part of the National Association of Landscape Professionals’ (NALP) annual “Renewal and Remembrance” event. NALP’s Children’s Program focuses on learning about the cemetery’s landscape and history.
Participants in the NALP Children’s Program, offered to children of landscape professionals, planted flowers near Arlington House and toured the grounds. ANC Command Curator Rod Gainer then hosted a tour of the Memorial Amphitheater Display Room, which features exhibits on the history of the cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“It’s pretty cool,” said 10-year-old Hannah Lingan, from Warrenton, Virginia, who enjoyed planting flowers and learning about the cemetery’s history. “I learned about the Civil War this year,” she said. “Next year, I’ll probably learn about World War I and World II.” Arlington National Cemetery’s Education Program features modules on the Civil War and World War II, as well as a module on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and its creation during World War I.
Another 10-year-old, Paige Brummel from Missouri, came to the cemetery with her mother and grandmother. “It was so fun!” she enthused. “We planted flowers and visited a Civil War soldier’s grave.” Her mother, Kate Brummel, took a picture of the headstone to find out more information about his service.
Lisa Kuperus, a NALP volunteer, appreciates teaching the children about ANC’s legacy. “We need to teach the next generation how to give back,” she said, “and how everybody that’s here gave all.”
Anna Marie Tarantowski from Jenison, Michigan, participated in the NALP Children’s Program and now leads it as a volunteer. “It’s fun that these kids are getting to see what I did, because some of the plants I helped put in the ground are still there, which is really cool,” she said.
After their tour of the Display Room, the children joined the rest of the NALP group at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to watch Brandon Sheppard, NALP’s president, lay a wreath. Sheppard, who has been coming to the cemetery with NALP for the last 25 years, understands the importance of ANC and its mission. “It’s such a majestic property and a profound symbol to every American,” he said. “To participate in a day of service is just part of your obligation as a citizen.”
The NALP Children’s Program visit enhanced Arlington National Cemetery’s mission to educate students and lifelong learners of all ages. ANC’s Education Program, https://education.arlingtoncemetery.mil/, features learning materials that highlight the diverse history of the United States through the unique lens of the cemetery’s history and the stories of those laid to rest here. The program includes an education module on Memorial Arboretum (featuring a walking tour and seasonal guides) and STEM-focused lesson plans on the environment.