Never Forget Gardens

There is healing and peace in the garden.

Growing flowers and other plants is a personal way to honor those living, such as with a new birth; as well as find comfort as we remember our loved ones who have died. This week many of us will follow tradition and visit the cemetery to plant graves.

It is in this spirit of the nature of growing plants and tending to a garden that the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier developed the Never Forget Garden project. Their goal is to encourage the people of the United States, individually and through public and private institutions to express their remembrance, love, respect, gratitude, and our unshakeable commitment to never, ever, forget or forsake those who have served and sacrificed on behalf of America. An essential element of the project is to recognize the “language of flowers” as a time-honored way to express the many facets of patriotism. Flowers, plants, and trees mean many things to many people, and they give a plant ideas list with those most closely associated with remembrance and commemoration.

Never Forget Gardens can be large or small, in a home garden or a public space. It can even be a container garden. Regardless of size or location, it will still carry the message that we remember the men and women who have served our country in times of war and armed conflict.

Here are a few ideas if you’d like to plant one of your own:

• Add an American flag of any size
• Add a bench or seat where you can pause, rest, breathe, and spend time in your garden.
• Make a sign that says “Never Forget Garden”, or add one of the specially designed 11” x 17” garden markers pictured above and sold at our garden center.
• Add any other special, personal touches that represent your love of country and the men and women who preserve our freedom.
• You are now an “ambassador” for the Unknown Soldier. By your commitment to the garden, you are making a “promise to fulfill America’s sacred duty to never forget.
• Share your garden on social media using #neverforgetgarden and follow the hash tag to join the community of fellow gardeners.