Arlington, Va. – On Sunday, May 26th, more than 1,400 volunteers from the D.C. area honored fallen troops by placing 225,000 flowers at grave sites at Arlington National Cemetery. This annual event is organized by the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation.
“It’s about bringing back the original meaning of Memorial Day, by encouraging people to visit cemeteries and decorate grave sites while recognizing the sacrifices made by our fallen military heroes and veterans,” said Ramiro Penaherrera, who co-founded the project in 2011. Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day and people would observe the holiday by visiting cemeteries and decorating grave sites to recognize the sacrifices made by our fallen military heroes.
This event is part of a national effort by the foundation involving 600,000 flowers that decorated 400,000 grave sites at more than 100 cemeteries nationwide on Memorial Day.
“Thousands of veterans’ grave sites go unvisited and unrecognized on Memorial Day – the national day to honor our fallen troops and decorate their grave sites,” said Penaherrera. “We want to honor and remember their service and sacrifice for our country.”
Flower growers from Colombia, Ecuador, Ethiopia and California donate flowers for the event. The event is widely supported across the floral industry. In partnership with the Foundation, more than 200 retail florists and main street businesses distribute flowers from their shops to the public for placement in cemeteries across the country to honor fallen service members and late veterans.
There are 155 cemeteries participating this year with the help of 5,000 volunteers nationwide. Please see our website for a list of 40 participating cemeteries. Additional cemeteries are receiving flowers as part of special Memorial Day observances organized by community groups working with the Foundation.
Learn more on the website at www.memorialdayflowers.org
ABOUT THE MEMORIAL DAY FLOWERS FOUNDATION
The Memorial Day Flowers Foundation began in 2011 after U.S. citizens working in the floral industry wanted to express their patriotism and profound appreciation for the sacrifices made by America’s military men and women. They began with placing 10,000 roses at Arlington National Cemetery for Memorial Day in 2011. They continue to work with Arlington National Cemetery to place flowers annually for Memorial Day and have expanded their efforts with the help of donors, volunteers and businesses to cemeteries around the country. The Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. More information is available at www.memorialdayflowers.org and on Twittter @MemDayFlowers.
Photos/Video/Interviews/Media Contact: Ami Neiberger-Miller, 703-887-4877, ami@steppingstoneLLC.com
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Volunteers carry flowers near the McClellan Arch in Arlington National Cemetery. On Sunday, May 26th, more than 1,400 volunteers from the D.C. area honored fallen troops by placing 225,000 flowers at gravesites on America’s most hallowed grounds. More information is available at memorialdayflowers.org. Photo by the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation
More than 225,000 flowers were placed at Arlington National Cemetery this weekend to honor our fallen troops for Memorial Day. Flower growers from Colombia, Ecuador, Ethiopia and California donate flowers for the event. The event is widely supported across the floral industry. More information is available at memorialdayflowers.org. Photo by the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation.
Abraham Bacarra, logistics organizer for the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation at Arlington National Cemetery, briefs volunteers about reverently placing flowers and pausing at each headstone to recite the name of the service member being honored. Each volunteer receives a bucket with 125 flowers and it takes about 60-90 minutes to place them. About 1,400 people volunteered today and more than 5,000 volunteers nationwide help the foundation place flowers at 155 cemeteries. More information is available at memorialdayflowers.org. Photo by the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation.
Volunteers with the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation carry flowers in Arlington National Cemetery. On Sunday, May 26th, more than 1,400 volunteers from the D.C. area honored fallen troops by placing 225,000 flowers at gravesites. More information is available at memorialdayflowers.org. Photo by the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation.
Volunteers with the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation carry flowers in Arlington National Cemetery. On Sunday, May 26th, more than 1,400 volunteers from the D.C. area honored fallen troops by placing 225,000 flowers at gravesites. More information is available at memorialdayflowers.org. Photo by the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation.
Gabrielle Miller and her father, Richard Miller, of Purcellville, Va., place flowers in section 54 at Arlington National Cemetery as part of the floral tribute organized by the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation. Many families participate in the event to help teach their children about honoring our country. More information is available at memorialdayflowers.org. Photo by the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation.
Gabrielle Miller and her father, Richard Miller, of Purcellville, Va., place flowers in section 54 at Arlington National Cemetery as part of the floral tribute organized by the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation. Many families participate in the event to help teach their children about honoring our country. More information is available at memorialdayflowers.org. Photo by the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation.