Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/70749
10 • JULY 2012 • WORLD FENCE NEWS Members of the North American Fence Contractors Patriotic volunteers replace aging chain link fence at Arlington National Cemetery Association (NAFCA) headed to Washington, D.C. in late April to perform a patriotic – and from all reports, sorely-needed – service project at Arlington National Cemetery. The organization was rep- resented by 20 people from 12 compa- nies and seven states. The event started with the group meeting at the office of Congress- woman Kristi Noem of South Dakota, where an aide to her office passed out visitor passes that would enable the group to pass through the tunnels to the Capitol Building. After going through several security points, NAFCA members were given a tour of the Capitol and provided with infor- mation about the area and workings of the building. Later in the day NAFCA held an open board of directors meeting. Com- mittee reports were presented and sev- eral events were discussed. Bright and early the next morning the group assembled at Arlington Na- tional Cemetery to start the removal of the old fence and the installation of the new. The project involved replacing 700 lineal feet of fencing at Arling- ton's Section 53, which is located near State Highway 110 and Memorial Drive, and is highly visible to the pub- lic. The existing metal chain link fence was replaced with a vinyl coated sys- tem that will resist weathering and re- main attractive for years. The project first came about when Chris Chapman, past president of NAFCA who now heads up the orga- All photos courtesy NAFCA This black vinyl coated chain link fence provides a subtle and secure enclosure for Section 53 of Arlington National Cemetery, shown above and below. A crew of patriotic volunteers felt the need to replace aging galvanized chain link fence that had seen better days. PARTNER WITH RED BRAND the most trusted name in wire ag fencing to become a Certified Fence Installer. The CFI program rewards contractors like you who recommend, purchase and install the very best in ag fencing. CFI helps you grow your business through: CFI is free to qualified ag fence contractors. For complete details, visit redbrand.com/CFI or call Dain Rakestraw, Red Brand Marketing Manager at 309.697.7063. nization's goodwill program, visited Arlington National Cemetery with his father in 2010 and, upon seeing the condition of the old fence, realized a way that the organization could make a patriotic contribution. "I made a few phone calls and had volunteers and materials lined up very quickly," said Chapman. Kathryn Condon, executive direc- tor at Arlington National Cemetery, along with Col. Ronald Tuggle, chief of staff of the Army National Ceme- teries Program, came on-site to pres- ent all of the workers with a medallion from Arlington National Cemetery. Jennifer Lynch, of the public affairs of- fice, also was on-site to take pictures and to interview workers. Two companies, one based in Kentucky and the other in Oklahoma (who were not interested in receiving publicity) donated the bulk of the ma- terials, and a fence company in Wis- consin donated the fittings, he noted. Scott Ruete of Frederick Fence Co. in Frederick, Md., provided lunch for the group and AEI provided the dumpster for the old materials. Arlington National Cemetery also provided all workers with a private tour of the grounds. If you would like more informa- Find dealers, expert advice and installation videos at redbrand.com 800.447.6444 tion on NAFCA and its activities, in- cluding contact details and how to volunteer for future public service projects, visit www.4nafca.com. continued on page 12