America has a new Veterans Day tradition: the National Salute to Veterans program will air on PBS November 11, 2012. The one-hour program is produced by Capital Concerts, which is the nation’s leading producer of live holiday specials and the production force behind A Capitol Fourth and the National Memorial Day Concert.
Watch 30-second video about the National Salute to Veterans program.
This is the first of what is planned to be an annual event in honor of the service and sacrifice of our 22 million American veterans, from World War II to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hosted by acclaimed actors Joe Mantegna (Criminal Minds) and Gary Sinise (CSI: New York), the one-hour program will feature a selection of “best of the best” moments from past National Memorial Day Concerts, along with new footage shot with the co-hosts.
In addition to Mantegna and Sinise, an all-star lineup includes distinguished American leader General Colin L. Powell USA (Ret.); Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker; American Idol finalist Pia Toscano; singer-songwriter Javier Colon (winner of The Voice); American Idol winner Kris Allen; acclaimed actors A.J. Cook and Jason Ritter; and gospel legend Yolanda Adams, accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by maestro Jack Everly.
Featured segments in the National Salute to Veterans will include:
- A special thank you to our troops who have been serving in Iraq and Afghanistan by General Colin Powell;
- A heartfelt tribute to our wounded warriors for their bravery and service to country;
- A look at how veterans and their families are coping with the enduring, and often invisible, wounds of war; and
- The touching story of the healing friendship between a young woman and a Vietnam veteran who served with her father.
The broadcast will be supported by a powerful social media component and resource-rich Website designed to support veterans of all ages and their families. Highlights will include a “Wall of Honor,” where personal tributes to a loved one can be posted, as well as an online forum for veterans to share their stories.
National Salute to Veterans will air Sunday, November 11, 2012, from 8:00 to 9:00 pm ET on PBS; check local listing to confirm viewing time in your area.
Funding for National Salute to Veterans is provided by the Lockheed Martin Corporation, the National Park Service, the Department of the Army, PBS and public television stations nationwide. Air travel is provided by American Airlines.
Website:
www.pbs.org/veteransday
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/NationalSaluteToVeterans
