Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Air Force Memorial Dedication in Arlington -- Oct. 13-15
Flyovers, fireworks, festivities and road closures
UPDATED INFO: New flyover rehearsal times are noted below.
NOTE TO MEDIA: For additional information, to schedule a tour of the Memorial site or to arrange an interview with an Air Force Memorial Foundation spokesperson, contact Katie Martha at 202-585-2037 or at
ARLINGTON, VA -- Arlington is the proud home of the new Air Force Memorial and will welcome tens of thousands of people to the community October 13-15 for the dedication ceremony events. The new memorial provides a dramatic new gateway to Arlington’s Columbia Pike corridor and adds to Arlington’s array of national attractions.
Portions of the dedication events – including the Air Force Open House on Saturday – are open to the public. Also on Saturday afternoon, country music star Lee Ann Womack will perform after the dedication. Anyone planning to attend should use Metro. The Pentagon and Pentagon City Stations on the Blue and Yellow Lines are both within walking distance of the Air Force Memorial site and the Air Force Open House activities in the Pentagon South Parking lot. Visit www.airforcememorial.org for more information about the Air Force Memorial and the dedication ceremony.
Broadcast of events: Beginning at 11:50 a.m. on Saturday morning, the entire day's events will be aired live on Arlington Virginia Network (AVN). The events will be rebroadcast starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Watch on cable channel 74 or watch online.
Flyovers & Fireworks During the Dedication Weekend
During the dedication ceremony, guests at both locations will see an aerial review of historic and modern Air Force aircraft, including an appearance by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
- The Thunderbirds will do rehearsal flight over the Memorial on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 12:30 p.m. On Friday, the Heritage flight group will take place at 11:23 a.m. [NEW TIMES]
- The real flyover show happens Saturday afternoon (Oct. 14), between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., during the Air Force Memorial Dedication ceremony.
- On Friday night (after dark), a short fireworks display will light up the sky over the Air Force Memorial site.
- Also, early on Friday and Sunday mornings (Oct. 13 and 15), numerous planes will be landing/taking off from the Pentagon area -- residents may hear associated noise.
To view detailed schedules of dedication weekend activities, go to www.airforcememorial.org.
Good Places to Watch Flyovers & Fireworks
Want to view the flyovers or fireworks without heading to the Pentagon City area? Consider these viewing spots:
- Gravelly Point, just north of National Airport – and you can even take Metro to the airport.
- Ride your bike along the George Washington Parkway Trail, then camp out to watch the show.
Road Closings/Transportation Updates
From October 13 to 15, many roads will be closed on the east side of the County (in the Pentagon and Pentagon City area). Also, extra security measures will be in place. Residents and motorists can expect delays and should allow extra travel time in that area. Check out the map of road closures -- or see the list of streets below.
Parking restrictions: From 5 p.m. on October 13 to 6 p.m. on October 15, parking will be restricted at various times on Southgate Road, Hayes Street, and S. 12th Street.
Pentagon Bus Hub: The Metrobus hub at the Pentagon will move to Pentagon City. All bus operations will be on the east side of Hayes St., between Army Navy Drive and S. 15th St.
Nearby residents: Residents of Oak, Ode and Orme Streets are advised that access to their neighborhoods will be limited. The only access point will be at the intersection of Columbia Pike and Orme Street. A driver’s license or other proof of residency will be required to enter those neighborhoods.
Road Closings (also see the map):
Friday, October 13: These streets will be affected from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.:
- Joyce St. closed from Army Navy to Columbia Pike
- Columbia Pike closed from Orme St. to Pentagon South Parking
- South Gate Rd. from Oak St. to Columbia Pike
- Ramp from Southbound Washington Blvd. to westbound Columbia Pike
- Washington Blvd. Westbound from Pentagon South
- Ramp from Washington Blvd. Southbound to Eastbound Columbia Pike (Sheraton National)
Saturday, October 14: These streets will be affected from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.:
- Fern St. from Army Navy to the Pentagon closed
- Eads St., from Army Navy to the Pentagon closed (HOV access only)
- Route 395 Southbound to Pentagon South Parking closed
- Rotary Rd. closed throughout South parking
- Columbia Pike closed from Orme St. to Pentagon
- South Parking access to Pentagon via Boundary Channel
- South Gate Rd. from Oak St. to Columbia Pike
- Washington Blvd. Eastbound closed at 395
- Washington Blvd. Westbound from Memorial Bridge
- Ramp from Washington Blvd. Southbound to Eastbound Columbia Pike
- Joyce St. closed from Army Navy to Columbia Pike
Sunday, October 15: These streets will be affected from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
- Joyce St. closed from Army Navy to Columbia Pike
- Columbia Pike closed from Orme St. to Pentagon South Parking
- South Gate Rd. from Oak St. to Columbia Pike closed
- Ramp from Southbound Washington Blvd. to westbound Columbia Pike
- Columbia Pike Westbound from Pentagon South
- Washington Blvd. Eastbound to Pentagon South parking
- Ramp from Southbound Washington Blvd. to Eastbound Columbia Pike
- Ramp from Washington Blvd. Southbound to Eastbound Columbia Pike closed
- Ramp from Washington Blvd. Southbound to Eastbound Columbia Pike (Sheraton National)
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.
