National Memorial Day Concert to honor Gold Star Families, Vietnam War POWs

PBS’ National Memorial Day Concert, America’s national night of remembrance, returns for a live presentation this Sunday hosted by Tony award-winner Joe Mantegna and Emmy award-winner Gary Sinise, acclaimed actors dedicated to Veterans’ causes and supporting U.S. troops in active service.

The 90-minute broadcast will honor the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform, military families and all those who have given their lives for our country. The concert takes us back to the real meaning of the Memorial Day holiday through personal stories and tributes interwoven with musical performances.

The 34^th annual National Memorial Day Concert, from the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol, will air on PBS and stream on the PBS website and YouTube on Sunday at 8 p.m. EST, as well as to troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network. It will also be available as Video on Demand from May 28 to June 11.

This concert has been honoring our American heroes for the past three decades.  

“We are proud to continue this national tradition on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol that brings us together as one family of Americans to support our heroes and remember the more than 1 million Americans who have given their lives for our country since the dawn of the republic,” said Executive Producer Michael Colbert, Capital Concerts.

Sunday’s concert will feature the following segments:

• Paying Tribute to Gold Star Families
• The 50th anniversary return of Vietnam War POWs
• The 70th Anniversary Korean War Armistice 
• A World War II remembrance

The deeply moving and reverential night will also feature performances by multi-platinum entertainer and TV/film actor Trace Adkins; the husband-and-wife duo, Iraq War Army Veteran Michael Trotter, Jr., and Tonya Trotter; five-time Grammy Award-winning Gospel legend Yolanda Adams; Grammy Award-nominated and CMA- and ACM Award-winning country music star Jo Dee Messina; multi-platinum singer-songwriter Phillip Phillips; and the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly.   

In tribute to all the members of the U.S. Armed Forces, the annual audience favorite Salute to Services features the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Service Color Teams. Also participating are members of The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, The U.S. Army Chorus, The Soldiers’ Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band, The U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, The U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants, and the Armed Forces Color Guard provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C.