After Paula Davis lost her only son, Private First Class Justin R. Davis, she became a part of a community of grieving families who make the pilgrimage to Section 60 every week. Together, they heal by listening to and comforting one another and facing the reality of living with the loss of their beloved children.
As a part of her healing journey, Paula became a member of Maryland Gold Star Mothers, a chapter of American Gold Star Mothers founded in 1928. By serving Veterans and healing together, these parents honor the memory of sons and daughters lost while in active duty military service.
The National Memorial Day Concert honors the devoted community of parents who lost a child in Iraq and Afghanistan through the story of Paula Davis.
For over a quarter century, PBS has inspired viewers with the annual broadcast of the multi award-winning NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT (#MemDayPBS), dedicated to our men and women in uniform, their families at home and all those who have given their lives for our country. Live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, the night of remembrance will honor the over 400,000 valiant men and women who are laid to rest in the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery; and chronicle the experiences of the millions of American Veterans who still suffer from the seen and unseen wounds of war. The 27th annual broadcast of the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT airs live on PBS Sunday, May 29, 2016, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m., before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network.
About the author: This article and video were submitted to Vantage Point by the National Memorial Day Concert organizers.
Topics in this story
More Stories
In 2004, USMC Cpl. Jason Lee Dunham made a decision that would save his fellow Marines.
Remembering Cheektowaga native and Army Pfc. Neil Ellis Bateman, who was killed in action in Vietnam in May 1967.
Each Memorial Day, Americans give pause to honor those who gave their lives in service. Among them is Army Staff Sgt. Keith M. Maupin.
Women at Audy Murphy here in San Antonio are treated horrible. Actually, many male veterans are also. The employees at that hospital, are the worse I’ve ever seen any where and I have been involved with the VA for more than 30 years.
I have pictures, horrible pictures of the ladies bathroom at Audy Murphy, VA Hospital, no one at the VA here seems to care. These pictures are not an off day, this is how it looks just about every time. I want to show them to the Secretary of the VA. Can you help me get them to him?
My families pain and loss is so agonizing. WHY????
“We are forever indebted to those who have given their lives that we might be free.”― Ronald Reagan