Good Monday morning, Alexandria!
🌥️ Today’s weather: Patchy fog before 10 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 84 degrees. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
A chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight before 4 a.m., then a slight chance of showers between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69 degrees. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. The chance of precipitation is 40%.
🚨 You need to know
The Wall That Heals, a scaled-down replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, is scheduled to visit Alexandria from June 12 to 15, 2025. This traveling exhibit will be on display at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial grounds this weekend.
Cynthia Long, who is heading up the local host committee and has served in the U.S. Air Force, is looking for volunteers to help out during the four-day event.
“We’re aiming to bring in around 300 local volunteers to make this happen,” Long explains. “We’re expecting close to 8,000 visitors, and our volunteers will play a big part in shaping their experience.”
Tim Tetz, who manages the site for The Wall That Heals, shares, “I’ve seen volunteers with years of experience under their belts tell me that just a few hours at The Wall That Heals was one of the most impactful things they’ve ever done.”
The exhibit rolls into town on June 11, with setup kicking off early the next day. There’s an opening ceremony planned for 5:30 p.m. on June 12, followed by a candlelight event at 9 p.m. to raise awareness about Agent Orange.
On June 14 at 10 a.m., the annual In Memory ceremony will honor 774 Vietnam veterans who came home but later passed away. This event alone is expected to draw over 2,000 people.
From the time the replica Wall is set up, the exhibit is open to the public. Events during the visit will include:
• June 12th at 5:30 p.m. – Opening ceremony
• June 12th at 9:00 p.m. – Agent Orange Awareness candlelight event. Visitors will see the replica Wall and In Memory plaque lit with orange candlelight to bring light to the effects of Agent Orange exposure on our nation’s Vietnam veterans.
• June 14th at 10:00 a.m. – The annual In Memory ceremony will be held, honoring a record high 774 Vietnam veterans who returned home from Vietnam and later died. More than 2,000 attendees are expected.
• June 15th from 10:00 a.m. to Noon – Father’s Day Rose Remembrance – roses will be laid at The Wall That Heals and the In Memory plaque.
• June 15th at 8:30 p.m. – Closing ceremony
The Wall That Heals will be open around the clock and free for anyone to visit during its time in Alexandria.
These events have traditionally taken place at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., but were forced to move due to the large military parade scheduled.
If you’re interested in volunteering or want to learn more about the event, check out www.vvmf.org/the-wall-that-heals-alexandria.
Here’s what else you need to know
🗳️ With only 10 days left until the June 17 Democratic primary, former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney stopped in Alexandria Saturday afternoon for a meet-and-greet with some of his most influential Northern Virginia supporters.
🟧 Hundreds of community members gathered at Alexandria’s Market Square Friday evening (June 7) for the annual Wear Orange rally, joining a nationwide movement to honor victims and survivors of gun violence while demanding action to address what speakers called a public health crisis.
🍜 Xi’an Famous Foods, the popular Chinese chain from New York City, has officially arrived in Alexandria, and they have been busy! On Sunday, the restaurant posted on Instagram that it had sold a week’s worth of product in two days. Reminder – They are located at Four Mile Food Co. (1033 W. Glebe Road), a ghost kitchen that is home to more than twenty other restaurants, which offer takeout or delivery only.
🎤 Mayor Alyia Gaskins joins ALXnow today at 4 p.m. for her monthly live one-on-one conversation. Watch/Ask Questions here.
👉 The Alexandria City Council is set to tackle a wide-ranging agenda during its upcoming Legislative Meeting on Tuesday (June 10).
🇺🇸 On Wednesday, June 11, The Wall That Heals, a ¾-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, will arrive in Alexandria to serve as the centerpiece for a week honoring and remembering our nation’s Vietnam veterans. Its placement at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial will provide thousands with the opportunity to experience the sanctity and reflective nature of The Wall in Washington, D.C.
⌛ At their meeting on Thursday, the Alexandria School Board will make a final decision on redistricting.
🎺 Alexandria’s 47th Annual Jazz Festival returns to Waterfront Park on Saturday. This free event will feature a diverse range of talented musicians and jazz styles.
📈 Sunday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for Jun 8, 2025.
- Weather Alert: Tornado Watch issued for Alexandria (3722 views)
- Notes: Creativity takes over Old Town today as Alexandria celebrates Make in Public Day (496 views)
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s happening today in Alexandria.
Things To Do
- 1 p.m.: English Language Learning (ELL) at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 5:30 p.m.: Eco-City Business Chat and Snack at Port City Brewing Company
- 6:30 p.m.: Joggers & Lagers at Port City Brewing Company
- 7 p.m.: Let’s Talk Books – “In the Garden of Beasts” by Erik Larson at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 7 p.m.: Diversity Book Club – “Our Missing Hearts” by Celeste Ng (virtual)
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Just For Fun at 9 p.m.
- Augie’s Mussel House: Live music at 5 p.m.
- Daniel O’Connell’s: Traditional Irish Music Session at 7 p.m.
- Del Ray Pizzeria: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Jim West at 6 p.m.
- Mason Social: Rook Richards at 5 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Colby Sard at 8:30 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
City of Alexandria Events & Public Meetings
- All Day: ACHS Early Release Day
- 6 p.m.: Subcommittee on City Boards and Commissions
- 7 p.m.: Duke Street Land Use Plan Kick-off Meeting
- 7 p.m.: Alexandria-Caen Sister Cities Committee
- 7 p.m.: Human Rights Commission – Executive Committee
Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.
