Vietnam Traveling Wall Memorial

Residents of Mobile are invited to several open-to-the-public events that will happen in conjunction with the MCL National Convention.  Prior to the start of the Convention itself, Mobile will become host to the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, a 3/5th size scale model of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.  The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will arrive via motorcade in Mobile at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 8 and a brief welcoming ceremony will follow its arrival at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center.  After a day of assembly, the Wall will be on display at the Mobile Convention Center North Exhibit Hall Friday, August 10 through Wednesday, August 15 for public viewing between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.  A formal opening ceremony will be held on Saturday, August 11.  Admission to view the Wall is free.

The MCL National Convention will officially begin with Opening Ceremonies on Monday, August 13 at 9 a.m. at the Mobile Convention Center.  Elected officials, including Mobile Mayor Sam Jones, will be in attendance, along with representatives from the United States Marine Corps and the Marine Corps League.  While this event is not open to the public, members of the media are invited to attend.

Later in the week, the public is invited to join the Marine Corps League at the Wednesday, August 15 Mobile BayBears game which will include surprises for those in attendance, including a first pitch from MCL Commandant Vic Voltaggio.  The game starts at 6:05 p.m. and admission is free for those with military ID.  Finally, the streets of downtown Mobile will give MCL members a taste of carnival season with a Mardi Gras parade on Thursday, August 16 at 6:30 p.m.  Twenty-plus units will parade on a modified downtown route and the public is invited to join in the festivities.

For more information on the Marine Corps League, visit http://www.mcleague.com and, for more information on the 89th Marine Corps League National Convention, visit http://www.mclconvention.com/ .