Nearly 400 adults, with about 50 children, took Monday off from landscaping companies in 29 states to help beautify the grounds at the famous cemetery. Adults pruned and braced trees, aerated soil and put down lime, while the children planted perennials. A local horticulturalist also was on hand to teach the children about the caterpillars and other insects they found.

Two children, 10-year-old Shelby Wanzor of Atlanta and 11-year-old Abby Bradley of Falmouth, Mass., wrote winning essays that earned them a chance to lay wreaths during a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Monday's beautification event was the 16th organized by the Professional Landcare Network.