Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the National Memorial Day Concert (PHOTOS)
Joe Mantegna, Allison Janney and Mary McCormack at the 2018 event
In 2018, actors Brian Tee and John Corbett meet with Korean War POWs Hiroshi Miyamura and Joe Annello after sharing the story that bonded the two men
‘The Voice’ finalist Spensha Baker performs at 2018’s event
In 2014, actress Dianne Weist hugs Gold Star Mother Ruth Stonesifer after paying tribute to her son, Specialist Kris Stonesifer, who was killed in action in 2001
In 2013, wounded veteran Earl Granville, who lost his brother in the aftermath of war, shakes the hand of Gary Sinise who, with Joe Mantegna, shared their story
In 2008, John Schneider performed during the event
Sarah Brightman, Idina Menzel, Rodney Atkins, Gladys Knight and John Schneider join for the 2008 show finale
In 2010, Lionel Richie, Colin Powell, AJ Cook, Joe Mantegna, EP and founder Jerry Colbert, Katherine Jenkins, Dennis Haysbert, Gary Sinise, Kelli O’Hara and Blythe Danner join for the show finale
In 2008, Gladys Knight performed ‘If I Could’ during the event
Jimmy Smits during the 2007 event
In 1999, Rita Moreno performed a medley of wartime music
During 1995’s event, Gen. Colin Powell, Executive Producer Jerry Colbert and George Clooney backstage
It’s almost Memorial Day and one of the events that’s served as a staple of honoring our servicemen and women is the National Memorial Day Concert in Washington DC.
The annual show comes to viewers live from the U.S. Capital and airs on PBS and the American Forces Network. The concert will also stream live on Facebook, YouTube, and PBS.org and will be available on demand May 26 through June 9.
Hosted this year by Joe Mantegna (who has co-hosted the show for over a decade with Gary Sinise) and Mary McCormack (who has appeared on the 2016 and 2017 shows), the show features tributes and music from some of the biggest names in music, stage, film and television. Over the years, the show has featured guests like Allison Janney, Tom Hanks, The Beach Boys, Colin Powell, John Glenn, George Clooney, Megan Hilty, Rita Moreno, James Earl Jones, Burt Reynolds, Katie Holmes, Walter Cronkite, Renee Fleming, Gladys Knight, Kathy Bates, B.B. King, Kristin Chenowith, Lionel Richie, Richard Dreyfuss, Idina Menzel and CeCe Winans.
Click through the gallery above for a look back at some of the touching moments from the past 30 years.
The National Memorial Day Concert in Washington DC airs on May 26 at 8/7c on PBS and the American Forces Network. The concert will also stream live on Facebook, YouTube, and PBS.org and will be available on demand May 26–June 9.
