TUSKEGEE, ALA.--At the Grand Opening of the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site tomorrow, Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett will join Governor Bob Riley and some of those whom the new national park site honors-the first African-American aviators, who served with distinction in World War II. The ceremony at the site's famed Moton Field will kick off three days of special exhibitions and interpretive programs at the site as well as the Tuskegee Airmen throughout the Alabama River Region. Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site is administered by the National Park Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, where Scarlett is the second highest ranking official.
| Who: | Lynn Scarlett, Deputy Secretary of the Interior Alabama Governor Bob Riley Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Russell C. Davis, President of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. City of Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford Dr. Benjamin F. Payton, President, Tuskegee University David Vela, Southeast Regional Director, National Park Service Catherine Light, Superintendent, Tuskegee National Historic Site |
| What: | Grand Opening Ceremony, Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site |
| When: | Friday, Oct. 10, 2008, 1:30 p.m. |
| Where: | Moton Field, Tuskegee National Historic Site Tuskegee, Alabama |
| Note for the Media: | Deputy Secretary Scarlett will be available for media interviews after the ceremony. All satellite trucks must notify park in advance and be onsite at 7 a.m. due to limited space; for more information, call Linda Friar at 786-385-0067. Note for the Public: Seating for the grand opening ceremony is available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking will open at 10:30 a.m. Free educational programs will be available to the public after the ceremony and throughout the weekend. For more information, call 334-727-6390. |