Posted on 10/13/2006 7:58:38 AM PDT by smartin
Written By 9 NEWS NOW Created:10/10/2006 5:58:21 PM Last Updated:10/13/2006 6:54:22 AM
Washingtonians have watched it go up, wondering what the spires soaring into the sky would turn out to be.
This weekend, the stainless steel spires officially become part of DC's landscape with a dedication ceremony of the Air Force Memorial.
On Thursday, six F-16 Thunderbird jets flew over the new U.S. Air Force Memorial in preparation for a weekend ceremony marking its dedication.
The jets practiced a bomb-burst formation just after 12:30 p.m., flying low from different directions to the memorial site near the Pentagon, and shooting up above the memorial, Air Force officials said. The signature maneuver mirrors the design of the memorial's three spires.
Several flyovers are scheduled during Saturday's dedication.
"The Pentagon Force Protection agency has notified the local community," Air Force Maj. Cristin L'Esperance said.
The pilots made at least two passes Thursday over the site, which is between the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery.
Another practice flyover was planned for 11:15 a.m. Friday, with an "aerial parade" of 14 Air Force aircraft from different generations, L'Esperance said.
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.
Flyovers During the Dedication Weekend Practice flyovers will happen on Friday afternoon, Oct. 13, 2 - 3 p.m. The real flyover show happens Saturday afternoon, Oct. 14, 2 - 3 p.m., during the Air Force Memorial Dedication ceremony. You can watch the flyovers without heading to Pentagon City. Try these spots.
Gravely Point, just north of National Airport -– and you can even take Metro to the airport.
Ride your bike along the G.W. Parkway Trail, then camp out to watch the show.
There will be a brief fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. Friday, set off from near South Joyce Street and Columbia Pike.
Road Closings/Transportation Updates
Many roads will be closed on the east side of the County October 13- 15 for the Dedication of the Air Force Memorial. Also, extra security measures will be in place. Residents and motorists can expect delays, and you should allow extra travel time in that area.
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: On Saturday and Sunday, 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.
Metro Rail Service: There are several special events at the site of the new U.S. Air Force Memorial in Arlington, VA, from October 13 to 15 for its official dedication. People who plan to attend the event can get there by taking Metrorail to the Pentagon or Pentagon City Metrorail stations on the Blue and Yellow Lines and walking from there to the site of the Memorial, which is adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery and overlooks the Pentagon. However the Pentagon Transit Center will be closed to Metrobuses on Saturday, October 14, and bus riders will need to catch their bus at the Pentagon City Metrorail station on Hayes Street between Army Navy Drive and S. 15th Street.
Metrorail will be running its usual service all three days. Metro opens at 5 a.m. on Friday and closes late that night at 3 a.m. Metrorail operates from 7 a.m. on Saturday to 3 a.m. that night; and on Sunday from 7 a.m. to midnight. Extra railcars will be put into service on Saturday if needed to accommodate the crowds.
Due to several streets closures in the area of the dedication Metrobus customers may experience delays as buses detour.
After the memorial is dedicated, people who want to visit the site can do so by taking the Yellow or Blue Lines to the Pentagon and walking or they can take Metrobus Routes 16A, B, D, E, or J from the Pentagon seven days a week; the Route 24P on weekdays; and ART Route 42 on Saturdays. From Pentagon City, bus riders can take Metrobus Routes 16G, K H, K or W. To identify a bus stop near you, visit www.metroopensdoors.com.
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.
On Friday, October 13, the following streets will be affected from 6:30 p.m. to 11p.m. Joyce Street closed from Army Navy to Columbia Pike
Columbia Pike closed from Orme Street to Pentagon South Parking
South Gate Road from Oak Street 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)
On Saturday, October 14, the following streets will be affected from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.:
Fern Street from Army Navy to the Pentagon closed
Eads Street from Army Navy to the Pentagon closed (HOV access only)
Route 395 Southbound to Pentagon South Parking closed
Rotary Road closed throughout South parking
Columbia Pike closed from Orme Street to Pentagon
South Parking access to Pentagon via Boundary Channel
South Gate Road from Oak Street 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 Street closed from Army Navy to Columbia Pike
On Sunday, October 15, the following streets will be affected from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
Joyce Street closed from Army Navy to Columbia Pike
Columbia Pike closed from Orme Street to Pentagon South Parking
South Gate Road from Oak Street 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)
Sweet!
I wonder if the anti-military left will notice that the "bomb burst" refers to a mushroom cloud. It's obvious from that pic.
Aim High!-
The Spire Design
* Featuring three stainless steel spires that soar skyward, the Memorial’s design is truly representative of the Air Force and is intended to evoke flight and the flying spirit.
* The three spires also represent the three core values of the Air Force - integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all that is done. Equally important, they represent the Air Force’s Total Force––active, guard and reserve—which are all essential to getting the mission done.
* Finally, the three spires are reminiscent of the precision “bomb burst” maneuver performed by the United States Air Force Thunderbird Demonstration Team.
* The highest of the Memorial’s spires will ascend 270 feet (82 meters).
* The base of the Memorial is approximately 132 feet above sea level, meaning that at its highest point, the structure will stand 402 feet high.
* Each spire will be constructed of a ¾ inch-thick plate stainless steel skin with a core of reinforced concrete.
* The Memorial was designed by James Ingo Freed, internationally renowned architect of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners. Mr. Freed is widely recognized for designing the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. and other prominent structures throughout the U.S.
* Global engineering firm Ove Arup & Partners worked with Pei Cobb Freed & Partners in the development of the Memorial’s spire structure.
* Embedded in granite beneath the spires will be the Air Force "star," which has had a long tradition of gracing Air Force aircraft and missiles, and is central to the rank insignia of every enlisted member of the Air Force.
Striking photo - thanks for sharing. Hard to get to DC from here.
The Sat detication should be the bob-diggity.
I was able to see the new Air Force Memorial during takeoff from DCA this week. It was stunning from an aerial view.
Will C-span cover the ceremonies?
Dunno, changing my cable teevee setup this weekend.
And I may just buy one of those HD boxes to watch movies - or not.
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