Arizona PBS Honors American Heroes with Airing of National Memorial Day Concert

PHOENIX – (May 17, 2016)

In honor of the U.S. military, Arizona PBS will broadcast the award-winning “National Memorial Day Concert” this month.

Dedicated to the men and women of the U.S. military, their families and all of those who have given their lives in service, the 27th annual broadcast of the “National Memorial Day Concert”airs on Arizona PBS Sunday, May 29, at 7 p.m., with an encore broadcast at 8:30 p.m. The performances take place before a live audience of hundreds of thousands, plus millions more at home, as well as U.S. troops serving around the world, who will be watching on the American Forces Network.

Live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, the night of remembrance honors the more than 400,000 men and women laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, and chronicles the experiences of millions of American veterans who still suffer from wounds of war, both seen and unseen. 

“The ‘National Memorial Day Concert’ is a very special tradition that pays tribute to all of the men and women who valiantly served in our armed forces and made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” said Nancy Southgate, associate general manager of content at Arizona PBS. “This night is about celebrating those lives and showing our gratitude to all of the soldiers who have served and continue to serve our great nation.”

Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna (“Criminal Minds”) and Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise (“Criminal Minds: Without Borders”) are set to co-host this event for the 11th year. The acclaimed actors are also longtime supporters of veterans’ causes and of U.S. troops in active service.

The all-star lineup includes Gen.Colin Powell USA (Ret.); four-time Grammy Award-winning classical superstar Renee Fleming; music legends The Beach Boys; actress and singer Katharine McPhee (“Scorpion”); country music star and Grammy-nominated member of the Grand Ole Opry Trace Adkins; Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award-winning actress S. Epatha Merkerson (“Chicago Med,” “Law & Order”); award-winning actor Esai Morales (“Mozart in the Jungle”); plus Tony Award-winning tenor Alfie Boe, who just joined the Broadway cast of the smash hit “Finding Neverland”; in performance with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pop conductor Jack Everly. Trent Harmon, the final winner of “American Idol,” will open the show with his performance of the national anthem.

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 2016 “National Memorial Day Concert” will feature the following segments:

• In Arlington National Cemetery, every headstone tells a story. More than 400,000 men and women made the ultimate sacrifice and are buried there. The concert highlights the story of two of these American heroes.

• Millions of American veterans are still suffering from the physical and mental effects of war. The concert chronicles the journey of one Vietnam veteran who overcame his wounds by sharing his experience and compassion with other veterans.

The program is a co-production of Jerry Colbert of Capital Concerts and WETA, Washington, D.C.