Honoring our American Heroes for Over 25 Years: The National Memorial Day Concert on PBS Live from The U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This Memorial Day weekend, PBS brings viewers an inspiring night of remembrance dedicated to our men and women in uniform, their families at home and all those who have given their lives for our country. The multi award-winning NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT returns live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol co-hosted by Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna and Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise. The broadcast marks the tenth anniversary that the acclaimed actors, who have dedicated themselves to veterans' causes and supporting our troops in active service, co-host the event.  The NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT will showcase our courageous American heroes who have been disabled for life; shine a spotlight on Gold Star Children who have lost a parent to war; and commemorate the 70^th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The all-star line-up includes: distinguished American leader General Colin L. Powell USA (Ret.); seven-time Grammy Award-winner, and international superstar Gloria Estefan; acclaimed film and television actress Stefanie Scott (INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3;  JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS); THE VOICE season five winner Tessanne Chin; the world's most prolific classical cross-over artist Katherine Jenkins; and world renowned tenor Russell Watson in performance with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly (additional performers to be announced).  The 26th annual broadcast airs live on PBS Sunday, May 24, 2015, 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.

The 2015 NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT will feature the following segments:

• There are over 4 million living disabled American veterans, a visible reminder of the toll of America's wars through the decades.  A new national memorial in Washington, DC to pay tribute to these courageous American heroes disabled for life was dedicated in October 2014. The concert will feature the poignant stories of two veterans from different eras severely injured in war and living with life-altering disabilities.

• Through the eyes of Gold Star Children, those who have lost a parent to war, we learn how their lives are changed forever.

• As the world commemorates the 70^th anniversary of the end of World War II, the deadliest war in human history, we honor the sacrifices of America's Greatest Generation, and remember the estimated 60 million men, women and children worldwide whose lives were brutally ended in the war. 

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, 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 program is a co-production of Jerry Colbert of Capital Concerts and WETA, Washington, D.C.  Executive producer Jerry Colbert and producer Michael Colbert have assembled an award-winning production team that features the top Hollywood talent behind some of television's most prestigious entertainment awards shows.  The team includes: Emmy award-winning producer Walter C. Miller, whose credits include the GRAMMY AWARDS and COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS; and award-winning director Paul Miller whose credits include THE COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS and SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. 

About Capital Concerts
Capital Concerts is the production force behind two of television's longest-running and highest-rated live programs commemorating America's most important holidays.  THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT, the nation's tribute to our men and women in uniform, and A CAPITOL FOURTH, our country's biggest birthday party, have become American traditions that have consistently ranked among the highest rated programs on PBS over the past decade.  The holiday specials have been honored with over 70 awards including the New York Film Festival Award, the Telly Award, the Golden Cine Award, the Videographer Award, the National Education Association Award, the Aurora Award, the Christopher Award, the Communicator's Award, the AXIEM Award, the Omni Award and the Writer's Guild of America Award.

Underwriters
The NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT is made possible by grants from the Lockheed Martin Corporation, 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. 

For images and additional information, visit PBS Pressroom at www.pbs.org/pressroom

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SOURCE Capital Concerts