Fremonter Judy Ekeler believes Memorial Day is the perfect time to honor all current and past members of the military with a Never Forget Garden.
Ekeler is the national vice chairwoman for the Daughters of the American Revolution Commemorative Events Committee, which will observe the 100th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Many events are planned for November, but the public can show their support for service members now by planting a garden.
In 1921, Congressman Hamilton Fish III of New York drafted legislation that brought home the remains of a World War I American soldier from France. Since 1937, at the insistence of the American Legion, a 24-hour military guard has been provided at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
“This commemoration isn’t just about World War I, but about all veterans and all people who have served,” Ekeler said. “No one is ever gone until they are forgotten and we promise not to ever forget our veterans and those who have served.”
The gardens can contain anything the owner chooses, but some flowers have special meaning. A white rose, for example, is for purity and innocence. Red poppies are for remembrance while tulips can symbolize gratitude. Trees can also be planted with birch symbolizing hope and new beginnings with cedar standing for healing.
“It is sort of the language of flowers,” Ekeler said. “We use flowers for happy occasions and sad occasions to express ourselves.”
Memorial Day weekend is a good opportunity to start a garden project.
“This is really the time for the Never Forget Gardens because of our growing season,” Ekeler said. “We want to get those in and we’d like people to mark them as Never Forget Gardens. Not only to remind those of us who plant them, but to also open dialogue with other people who might ask what it is for.”
The Society of Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (SHGTUS) has a Never Forget Garden Marker available under projects at https://www.tombguard.org/centennial. Ekeler said the cost is about $122 and the marker is made of stone, expected to withstand all weather conditions. However, the garden can also be marked with a homemade sign or plaque.
Ekeler said the garden can be something simple.
“The Never Forget Gardens can be big, but they can be as small as a container garden on a patio at an apartment,” she said. “The whole point is to show respect and especially to open the dialogue on why they have it.”
Siffring Landscape and Garden Center donated and planted a white rose bush at Fremont Veterans Memorial as part of the Never Forget Garden. The Never Forget Marker at May Museum is placed near an existing white rose bush.
The military has played a prominent role in Ekeler’s family tree. She had several family members fight in the Revolutionary War. One of her great great grandfathers fought in the Civil War. Her grandfather was a soldier in World War I while her father served in World War II.
“This project has been enthusiastically embraced by (DAR) chapters all over the country and in speaking with various people and groups in the Fremont area, there seems to be an interest in the project among many in our community,” she said.
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