Well-known McLean Neighbors Star in MLK Ceremonies

 Three McLean neighbors will participate in this week's events surrounding Sunday's dedication of the Martin Luther King Memorial on the National Mall, according to the national memorial project's website.

General Colin Powell, former Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman, and General Motors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson, all of whom live in McLean will participate in Dedication Week events.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial will be dedicated 11 am Sunday on the National Mall, situated adjacent to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and in a direct line between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. President Barack Obama will formally unveil the statue.

McLean's neighbors will join  Dr. King's children, heroes of the Civil Rights era Cong. John Lewis (d-Ga), Ambassador Andrew Young,  Rev. Jesse Jackson, and Rev. Joseph Lowery. Also entertainers Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Berry Gordy, Jr., George Lucas, and Jamie Foxx, according to the memorial project.

Here is additional information about the memorial and the week's events.

• The Memorial opened to the public Monday. Hours for opening week are the following: Tuesday, 8 a.m.–10 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.–10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Closed, Sunday August 28 - Dedication Day, Closed to the general public. The Memorial will officially open on Monday, August 29, and operate daily from 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
  
  
• The Memorial will be dedicated on Sunday, August 28, 2011. President Obama will deliver remarks and singers Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder, filmmaker George Lucas and actor Jamie Foxx will serve as co-chairs for the dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Members of the King family, as well as prominent civil rights leaders will also take part in the ceremony. The program will begin with pre-dedication events at 8:45 a.m. The dedication ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. and a post-dedication concert will follow beginning at 2 p.m. Tickets for seating were distributed through an online lottery system. No tickets are required for the ball fields immediately west of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial. This area will have viewing screens, sound systems, restrooms and food service. See a map of the Tidal Basin.