WASHINGTON, May 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- PBS's multi
award-winning NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT returns
live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for a special 30th
anniversary broadcast hosted by Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna and Tony-nominated
actress and star of TV's FALLING WATER, THE WEST
WING and THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT, Mary McCormack. The 30th annual
broadcast of the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY
CONCERT airs live on PBS Sunday, May 26, 2019, 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.
Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7983455-national-memorial-day-concert-2019/
A 30-year tradition unlike anything else on television,
America's national night of remembrance takes us back to the real
meaning of the holiday through personal stories interwoven with
musical performances by the National Symphony Orchestra and guest
artists. The 2019 anniversary edition of the NATIONAL
MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT will feature the following
stories:
- 75th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion – featuring
a performance by Academy Award-nominated actor Sam Elliott (A STAR IS BORN).
The concert will share the remarkable story of 98-year-old
Ray Lambert (Elliott), a
highly-decorated combat medic who landed on Omaha Beach in the
largest amphibious invasion in history and a pivotal step in the
Allied march to victory in World War II. As part of the first
wave onto shore, Lambert quickly established a treatment area,
saving soldiers, dragging them to safety and comforting the dying
as best he could, even while being shot twice himself. He
continued his efforts before being seriously wounded.
Lambert's story honors every man who
landed on the beaches of Normandy that day.
- Vietnam Valor and Brotherhood – brought to life by
long-time friends acclaimed actor Dennis
Haysbert (24, MAJOR LEAGUE) and Joe Mantegna.
Fifty years since the height of the Vietnam War, the painful
memories from their service remain fresh for many of its
veterans. In 1969, our soldiers continued to fulfill
their duty and carry out the missions their country asked of
them. As part of a special 50th anniversary commemoration to
honor the service and sacrifice of Vietnam War veterans and to
thank them, the concert will share the story of two infantrymen -
Ernest "Pete" Peterson (Haysbert)
and Brad Kennedy (Mantegna) - who
formed a brotherhood while serving in Vietnam and now meet each year at the Vietnam
Wall where they remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
- A Gold Star Widow's Journey – portrayed
by television series star Jaina Lee Ortiz (STATION 19,
ROSEWOOD).
For Gold Star families, every day is Memorial Day. This year,
the concert will share the journey of one widow - Ursula Palmer (Ortiz) - beginning with the day
her worst fears came true, just two weeks before her husband was
due to return home. While "moving on" from this devastating
loss was not possible, Palmer knew that for the sake of her
daughter she would have to learn to move forward. Along the
way she found solace and empowerment by co-founding a new
chapter of Gold Star Wives, a virtual chapter for post 9/11 widows
and widowers, and by helping wounded veterans and their
families.
The all-star line-up also includes: distinguished
American leader General Colin L. Powell USA (Ret.); Grammy Award-winning legend
Patti LaBelle; multi-platinum
selling singer, performer and songwriter Gavin DeGraw; Broadway and television star
Christopher Jackson
(HAMILTON, BULL); multi-Grammy Award-winning bluegrass icon
Alison Krauss; SAG and
Olivier Award-winning and Grammy Award-nominated actress and singer
Amber
Riley (GLEE, DREAMGIRLS);
multi-platinum-selling country music star Justin Moore; and Patrick Lundy & The Ministers of Music;
in performance with the National Symphony Orchestra under
the direction of top pops conductor Jack
Everly. AMERICAN IDOL Season 17
finalist Alyssa
Raghu joins the show for a special
performance of the "National Anthem."
Also participating in the event are the U.S Joint Chiefs of
Staff with The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, The U.S. Army Chorus and
Army Voices, The Soldiers' Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band, The
U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, The U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants,
the Armed Forces Color Guard and Service Color Teams provided by
the Military District of Washington, D.C.
The concert will also be streaming live on Facebook, YouTube and
www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert and available as
Video on Demand, May 26 to June 9,
2019.
Underwriters
The NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY
CONCERT is made possible by grants from the Lockheed Martin
Corporation, USAA, the National Park Service, the Corporation for
Public Broadcasting, the Department of the Army, General Dynamics,
PBS and public television stations nationwide. Air travel is
provided by American Airlines.
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SOURCE Capital Concerts