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-- WITH PHOTO -- TO ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, AND NATIONAL EDITORS:
An American Tradition On PBS For 25 Years: The NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY
CONCERT Live From The U.S. Capitol
For images and additional information, visit PBS Pressroom at www.pbs.org/pressroom
WASHINGTON, April 24, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- PBS's NATIONAL
MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT, the iconic event that has become a national
tradition, will mark its 25th anniversary with a special tribute to
our men and women in uniform, their families at home and all those who
have given their lives for our country. Live from the West Lawn of
the U.S. Capitol, the inspiring night of remembrance will offer
veterans from Afghanistan the grateful thanks of our nation,
commemorate the 70th anniversary of World War II's D-Day invasion on
the beaches of Normandy, and look back at the stories of service and
sacrifice featured throughout the years during the annual concert.
The NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT will be co-hosted for the ninth year
by Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna and Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise,
acclaimed actors who have dedicated themselves to veterans' causes and
supporting our troops in active service. They will be joined by an
all-star line-up including: distinguished American leaderColin L.
Powell USA (Ret.); two-time Academy and Emmy Award-winning actress
Dianne Wiest; country music sensation and THE VOICE 2013 winner
Danielle Bradbery; Broadway and television star Megan Hilty; musical
prodigy and classical crossover star Jackie Evancho; Grammy
Award-winning music and television legend Doc Severinsen; and
world-renowned tenor Anthony Kearns; in performance with the National
Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack
Everly (additional artists to be announced). The multi award-winning
program airs on PBS Sunday, May 25, 2014, 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 2014 NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT will feature the following
segments:
-- As the war in Afghanistan winds down, the program will recognize
our service men and women with a special "Welcome Home" to thank
veterans who served in Afghanistan, including a musical salute and
featuring: A story about a critically wounded veteran suffering from
severe physical injuries and the grave invisible wounds of war. The
story of a mother coping with grief after the death of her son, the
first to die in Afghanistan. His service inspired her to become
actively involved with Gold Star Mothers. Now she is helping other
mothers with their loss, grief and healing as they move forward with
their lives.
-- The 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of the Normandy beaches
of France will be commemorated in 2014, a seminal moment that turned
the tides of war in favor of the Allies. World War II veterans who
participated in the D-Day invasion will be honored and featured in
this tribute to the sacrifices of our nation's Greatest Generation.
-- The NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT will mark its 25th anniversary in
2014 with a reflection of the many stories of service and sacrifice
featured throughout the years that have brought us together as one
family of Americans to pay tribute to those who defend our freedom.
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 CONCERTis 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.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140423/77856
SOURCE Capital Concerts
-0- 04/24/2014
/CONTACT: For additional information, photos, interviews and more, contact: Kristina Hallman: (202) 537-5199; khallman@starpower.net; Carol Marshall: (818) 760-6450; carol@cmarshallpr.com
/Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140423/77856
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
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