National Memorial Day Concert

Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna Co-Host Live From the U.S. Capitol

with General Colin Powell, Kris Allen, Dianne Wiest, B.B. King,

Hayley Westenra, Daniel Rodriguez and the National Symphony Orchestra

(additional talent to be announced)   

For over two decades, PBS's National Memorial Day Concert has led the nation in honoring 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 multi award-winning event will be co-hosted for the sixth year by Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise ( CSI: New York ) and Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna ( Criminal Minds ), two acclaimed actors who have dedicated themselves to veteran's causes and supporting our troops in active service.  

The all-star line-up of dignitaries, actors and musical artists joining Sinise and Mantegna for the 22 nd annual broadcast includes: distinguished American leader Colin L. Powell USA (Ret.) ; American Idol winner Kris Allen ; Academy and Emmy Award-winning actress Dianne Wiest ; King of the Blues B.B. King ; classical superstar Hayley Westenra ; and America's beloved tenor Daniel Rodriguez , the New York city policeman who united the country after the September 11 terrorist attacks. They will perform with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly (additional talent to be announced).  

Consistently one of the highest rated programs on PBS over the past decade, The National Memorial Day Concert became the number four top-rated program in primetime and the number two top-rated musical performance special on PBS for the 2009-2010 season.   The multi-award-winning event, broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, will air live in HD on Eight, Arizona PBS on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 8 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 2011 event will include:

• The first national welcome home to our troops who have been serving in Iraq;

•  The poignant story of a woman who lost her father in Vietnam and how her experiences are helping a new generation of children who have suffered the same loss after their parents served in Iraq and Afghanistan;

•  A 10 year commemoration of September 11; and

•  A tribute to our World War II veterans 70 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The U.S Joint Chiefs of Staff will also participate in the event along 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 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.