On Memorial Day weekend, PBS will unite our nation with an
evening that has become an American tradition. The multi
award-winning National Memorial Day Concert honors the
service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform, their
families at home, and all those who have given their lives for
our country.
The 2009 event commemorates 20 years on air as the nation’s
memorial service, offering viewers a time to remember, to heal
and bring our country together. The top-rated show will be
broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on
Sunday, May 24 from 7:00 to 8:30 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 Radio and Television Network.
The program will be co-hosted for the fourth year by Emmy
Award-winner Gary Sinise and Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna. An
all-star line-up of dignitaries, actors and musical artists will
join them, including distinguished American leader Colin L.
Powell, actress Dianne Wiest, singer Katharine McPhee, Broadway
star Colm Wilkinson, opera star Denyce Graves, classical
musician Lang Lang, country music superstar Trace Adkins, Tony
Award-winning Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell, and violin
virtuoso Robert McDuffie in performance with the National
Symphony Orchestra under the direction of maestro Erich Kunzel.
The concert will feature uplifting musical performances,
documentary footage and dramatic readings that honor all
Americans who have served or made the ultimate sacrifice for our
country.
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For further information contact Janet McGrath,
(309) 495-0593 or janet.mcgrath@wtvp.org
