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Live from the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol, the 35th Anniversary broadcast of “THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT” – May 26 at 8 pm


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35TH ANNIVERSARY BROADCAST OF AN AMERICAN TRADITION:
PBS’ NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT
LIVE FROM THE U.S. CAPITOL

Sunday, May 26 at 8:00 pm (Encore broadcast at 9:30 pm)

–Hosted by Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise with an All-Star Cast Featuring Bryan Cranston, Cynthia Erivo, Jena Malone, BD Wong, Patina Miller, Gary LeVox, Mary McCormack, Jamey Johnson, Ruthie Ann Miles and
Maestro Jack Everly conducting the National Symphony Orchestra –

 

America’s national night of remembrance, PBS’ NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT, returns live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for a special 35th anniversary broadcast. A tradition unlike anything else on television, the 90-minute broadcast honors the service of our men and women in uniform, military families and all those who have given their lives for our country through a unique blend of dramatic storytelling and uplifting music. Hosted by Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna and Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise, both steadfast champions of veterans’ causes and active service members, the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT will air on PBS and stream nationwide on www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert and YouTube on Sunday, May 26, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces salute at the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT. Credit: Capital Concerts
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces salute at the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT.
Credit: Capital Concerts

“For 35 years, our mission has been to bring the country together to remember the fallen, commemorate the real meaning of the holiday, and pay tribute to generations of our American heroes and their families,” said Executive Producer Michael Colbert, Capital Concerts. “It is an honor to share this annual tradition of remembrance, healing and community at the U.S. Capitol.”

The 2024 NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT will feature the following segments:

• World War II Tribute – featuring Academy Award nominee, and Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG, Tony and Olivier Award winner Bryan Cranston (ARGYLLE, BREAKING BAD, MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE).
A salute to the millions of Americans who served the nation in World War II in uniform and on the home front. On the 80th anniversary of 1944, a pivotal year in the war, the tribute will commemorate hard fought battles in the Pacific and European theaters that secured the allied path to victory. As part of this special segment, the concert will share the story of U.S. Army Veteran John T. “Jack” Moran, a soldier in the Battle of the Bulge, and his remembrance of friends wh0 fought alongside him to save the world from tyranny. Members of this Greatest Generation will be honored on stage at the United States Capitol.

Gold Star father Allen Hoe in his home state Hawaii. Hoe holds his family’s United States Battle Flag that his son 1st Lieutenant Nainoa Hoe carried with him when he died in Iraq. Credit: Capital Concerts/Allen Hoe
Gold Star father Allen Hoe in his home state Hawaii. Hoe holds his family’s United States Battle Flag that his son 1st Lieutenant Nainoa Hoe carried with him when he died in Iraq.
Credit: Capital Concerts/Allen Hoe

• Gold Star Families Remembrance – with Emmy-nominated and Tony Award-winning actor and director BD Wong (LAW & ORDER: SVU, JURASSIC PARK franchise).
The concert will remember our fallen heroes and Gold Star families with the story of Vietnam Veteran and Gold Star Father Allen Hoe, who followed generations of his proud warrior family into military service. Hoe’s two sons continued the family legacy serving honorably in the U.S. Army, and First Lieutenant Nainoa K. Hoe was tragically killed in combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom. This is a story of honor and remembrance, the search for peace after his son’s death, and a chance meeting at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

• Honoring a Generation’s Service – with Golden Globe and SAG Award-nominated actress Jena Malone (LOVE LIES BLEEDING, THE HUNGER GAMES).
Following 20 years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the concert will explore the challenges faced by a generation of wounded, ill and injured veterans who carry visible and invisible wounds of war through the moving story of U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and amputee Kirstie Ennis, an inspiring adaptive athlete who carries with her the memory of her fallen brothers and sisters in arms. The concert will share her journey after a life-changing injury on deployment, and her mission to bring awareness and encourage others to reach out for help.