When it comes down to it, there is only one national holiday set aside specifically to remind Americans of what they have lost. Memorial Day’s National Memorial Day Concert on the stage of the U.S. Capitol’s West Lawn once again brings the nation together in a star-studded “Night of Remembrance.”
This free concert, open to the public and airing live in HD on PBS, takes place Sunday. Hundreds of thousands attend, and millions more watch at home. The program will also be broadcast to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network.
Co-produced by Jerry Colbert of Capitol Concerts and WETA D.C., the program is co-hosted for the seventh year by award-winning actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise. Both have dedicated themselves to veterans’ causes and the support of our troops in active service.
| Onstage |
| National Memorial Day Concert |
| Where: West Lawn of the Capitol |
| When: 8 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday |
| Info: Free; capitalconcerts.org; pbs.org/memorialdayconcert |
They will be joined by an all-star line-up including Colin L. Powell, Daughtry, Natalie Cole, Trace Adkins, “American Idol” finalistJessica Sanchez, Ellen Burstyn, Dennis Franz, Selma Blair; and world-renowned tenor Russell Watson — all in performance with theNational Symphony Orchestraunder the direction of top Pops conductorJack Everly.
“Each year, we try to single out two or three feature stories that we want to do and [are] relevant for the moment,” noted Jill Jackson, coordinating producer with Capital Concerts. “We can’t talk about every American conflict, but we try to have a balance.
Featured stories this year include the poignant remembrances of a young widow who lost her husband in Afghanistan; a heartfelt welcome home to the troops who have been serving in Iraq and Afghanistan; a segment profiling the heroic efforts of veterans of all wars and, finally, a closer look at the plight of homeless veterans.
“The homeless segment is quite a moving story,” Jackson continued. “I know a lot of positive things are happening so I feel hopeful. Still, we have to look the issue in the face.”
Hope, thankfulness, remembrance and celebration are at the core of the National Memorial Day Concert, where Americans return year after year — either present on the lawn or in front of their television sets.
