Memorial Day is here and there are many summer traditions to enjoy: Having a BBQ with friends, opening up the pool and wearing white again for the season. But the most important thing about the holiday, which is celebrated during the last weekend in May, is the tradition of honoring those we lost while on military duty. And with that tradition comes the National Memorial Day Concert on PBS.
On this Monday, many will gather on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol to commemorate the event, filled with patriotic performances, and moments of hope and patriotism.
The Confirmed Lineup for the National Memorial Day Concert
Hosting since 2006, actors Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna will be cohosting the holiday special. From the looks of things, the duo seems excited to be working together once more. "Hey folks, National Memorial Day Concert on PBS coming up on Sunday May 29, 8pm," Gary tweeted about the upcoming event. "It will be great to be back with my pal Joe Mantegna & a great group of performers."
This year's performances are equally as star-studded as the men hosting the yearly event:
- Singer/actress Lea Salonga
- Singer/actor Norm Lewis
- Singer/U.S. Army veteran Craig Morgan
- Musician Rhiannon Giddens
- Singer/actor Brian Stokes Mitchell
- Singer Pia Toscano
- The National Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Jack Everly
And that's not all. Like every year, the concert will feature a military musical element — Viewers can expect performances from 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 Sergeantsand the Armed Forces Color Guard and Service Color Teams.
Honorees of the National Memorial Day Concert
Before he passed away from COVID-19 complications in October 2021, Gen. Colin L. Powell played an integral part in the National Memorial Day Concert via discussing his memories with viewers for more than 25 years. To honor the former Secretary of State, actor Dennis Haysbert will lead the tribute.
In addition, Yellowstone actor Gil Birmingham will honor the lives of those who fought in the Vietnam War, including the 58,000 lives lost. He will also be reading the story of Francis Whitebird, a Lakota soldier whose family has served the U.S. military for generations.
Mare of Easttown actress Jean Smart will join Joe with honoring Major General Mark Graham and his family, as he and wife Carol lost two of their veteran sons within eight months of each other. Though they passed away from different battles, the entire family dedicated themselves to serving the U.S.A.
To finish the concert, The West Wing actress Mary McCormack will pay homage to the women who fought on the home front during World War II, with several of them participating in the segment.
How to watch and stream the National Memorial Day Concert:
The National Memorial Day Concert will air live on May 29th at 8 p.m. ET on PBS. You can tune to the PBS channel if you have access to a TV. But if you want to watch while on the go, you can catch the concert on the PBS Facebook page, YouTube channel, and website.
