Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise will return to host the National Memorial Day Concert on May 24 on PBS, including a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The event, on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol, is marking its 37th year.
Noah Wyle will present a tribute to militiamen and citizen soldiers of the American Revolution. The segment will include the story of one militiaman who fought for George Washington.
Jonathan Banks will spotlight the 85th anniversary of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, which plunged the country into World War II. The segment will include a salute to the Greatest Generation.
Melissa Leo will help mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, including the story of one individual in the rescue and recovery efforts at the Pentagon, as well as a tribute to those who died that day.
The program also will feature a tribute to Vietnam War veterans and to Gold Star families.
The performers include Mickey Guyton, Jamey Johnson, Alan Jackson, Laura Osnes, Andy Grammer, Mary McCormack, Blessing Offor and the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Jack Everly.
The concert also will include the annual tribute to all the members of our armed forces, with a Salute to Services featuring the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Service Color Teams. Also participating will be The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, 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.
The concert will air live on PBS from 8 p.m. ET to 9:30 p.m. ET, and will be shown on the Armed Forces Network. It also will be streaming on YouTUbe and PBS.org, and will be available on demand from May 24 to June 7.
The concert is a co-production of Michael Colbert of Capital Concerts and WETA-TV in Washington, D.C.
