In the US and Canada, Weed Man Volunteers Tend to National Cemeteries, Honoring Veterans
At Weed Man, November 11 marks two important holidays: Veterans Day for our franchisees and employees in the United States, and Remembrance Day for our franchisees and employees in Canada. On this day and every day, we want to express our gratitude to the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedom. Weed Man is committed to the growth and success of our franchisees, especially those with a military background, and we're proud to share that Weed Man has earned the honor of being named among Franchise Business Review’s 2024 Top Franchises for Veterans.
Weed Man Volunteers Tend to Lawn and Landscape at National Cemeteries of US and Canada
Our national cemeteries–Arlington National Cemetery in the US and Beechwood Cemetery in Canada–are, in the words of Weed Man’s own Brandon Sheppard (president of the National Association of Landscape Professionals), “not just a cemetery or a national treasure. It's a living, breathing ecosystem that supports a diverse range of wildlife and trees and vegetation.” That kind of complex ecosystem, coupled with their historical significance, means that our national cemeteries require – and deserve – highly skilled and specialized care. Each year, volunteers from Weed Man and other green industry organizations band together to provide just that. Here’s a closer look at these 2024 events.
Weed Man Ottawa Cares for Beechwood Cemetery
On Friday, October 25, 2024, volunteers from the local Weed Man franchise in Ottawa lent their talents to tending Beechwood Cemetery, the national cemetery of Canada. Sporting poppies on their lapels, the volunteers cleared leaves, fertilized the grass, and gave special care to the historic resting place of military heroes. Among the Weed Man volunteers were branch manager Michael Evans, Camryn Evans, Kareem Estaitieh, Dakotah Sim, and national technical director Chris Lemcke.
The 20th annual Day of Tribute event, presented by Landscape Ontario’s Ottawa Chapter, brought together volunteers from the green industry to honor Canadian armed forces members and veterans. The volunteers put in a hard day’s work in preparation for the upcoming Remembrance Day services on November 11, 2024.
Beechwood Cemetery’s director of marketing, communications, and community outreach, Nick McCarthy, expressed his gratitude for the event volunteers. "Each year, the community’s response reminds us of the lasting impact our veterans have on us all. Thank you to every volunteer who came together to make this day a true tribute to our Canadian Armed Forces members."
Weed Man Volunteers Tend to Lawn and Landscape at Arlington National Cemetery
This July marked the 28th annual Renewal & Remembrance event, organized by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), bringing together volunteers from Weed Man and other green industry organizations to tend to Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. In sweltering summer heat, more than 400 volunteers got their hands dirty to perform expert services, including fertilizing, aerating, applying lime, cultivating soil, planting flowers, installing new trees, and various irrigation, landscape, and hardscape projects.
As president of the NALP, Brandon Sheppard is proud of the hard work performed by all of the event’s volunteers, but especially his Weed Man volunteers, who took on some of the toughest tasks. “We have people literally digging ditches with pickaxes today in 100-degree heat with smiles on their faces because this is work they want to do,” he says.
One such volunteer, Joel Williams (branch manager at Weed Man Winchester), says, “The oneness I felt working shoulder-to-shoulder with different people within our respected markets was truly unparalleled. From the ceremony on hallowed grounds amongst fallen heroes, to encouraging shouts within our group to get the job done! I hope more of my colleagues get to share this experience and enjoy themselves as I did.”
Another volunteer, Annabelle Dockins (Weed Man head office), says, “Being invited to this event was incredibly humbling. It was an honor to contribute to the beautification of Arlington National Cemetery and to give back to the sacred ground where so many heroes rest.”
The fruit of their labor is evident in the health and beauty of the cemetery’s lawn and landscape, as any ANC visitor can attest. And the work performed by the NALP and all volunteers does not go without recognition. In fact, the NALP is the only non-military associated group to have a plaque of recognition placed inside the cemetery.
Representing the NALP, Brandon Sheppard was given the profound honor of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown, a rarity for a civilian, along with his father Bruce Sheppard, who has participated in the event for 26 years. Brandon also had the privilege of addressing the crowd from the historic Tanner Amphitheater.
Brandon and all of the volunteers are proud of this day of work, honored by the opportunity, and eager to use their talents to give back to their country and their communities. “I view it as part of our civic responsibility,” Brandon says. “Much like voting and picking up litter and part of being a responsible citizen. Understanding that all the gifts we have, being Americans, aren’t just a birthright, they’re an obligation.”
Thank You, Veterans!
On Veterans Day, Remembrance Day, and every day, we want to express our gratitude to the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedom. To all the veterans in our Weed Man community, thank you for your service.