Get your Memorial Day started early this year by watching the National Memorial Day Concert on PBS this Sunday night.
The event includes all-star performances and tributes from Washington, D.C. and around the country. Actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise host the tribute to American’s fallen service members and their families.
Related
Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional live concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol will not be held this year, according to organizers. A pre-taped 90-minute presentation of the 32nd annual National Memorial Day Concert will air on PBS on Sunday, May 30.
This year’s event will share the following stories:
Vietnam Nurses Tribute – performed actress Kathy Baker of Picket Fences. The experiences of Diane Carlson Evans, founder of the Vietnam Women's Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be shared.
70th Anniversary of the Korean War – actor Joe Morton of Scandal will pay tribute to the more than 1.7 million Americans sent to fight in Korea and the over 36,000 American lives that were lost The tribute will focus on the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company, the Army's only all-black Ranger Infantry Company.
20th Anniversary of 9/11 and Gold Star Families – featuring actor Steve Buscemi of "Boardwalk Empire" and actresses Mary McCormack of "The West Wing" and Bailee Madison of "A Week Away," the 20 years since the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks and shares the poignant story of one Gold Star Family.
“We can never forget the sacrifices of these families,” Sinise told CBS’ Eye on Veterans.
Related
Also set to appear at the event are retired Army Gen. Colin Powell; Gladys Knight, Vince Gill; Alan Jackson, and others.
The concert airs from 8 to 9:30 p.m. ET and will be live-streamed on PBS’s social media channels.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com. Reach Phil Briggs at Phil@connectingvets.com..
Want to get more connected to the great resources Connecting Vets has to offer? Click here to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram