“I was a Department of the Army Civilian American Red Cross "Donut Dollie" in Vietnam, later the wife of a Vietnam Army Veteran and a mom of a Veteran of the Iraq Conflict. THANK YOU for the moving Memorial Day Concert. It is a family tradition to watch it wherever we are in the world.”

Maggie Connor
FL

THE CONCERT

Sights and Sounds of the Concert

Jump to: Video Clips | Audio Clips | Slideshows

Video Clips

Celebrities on the “National Memorial Day Concert” share their experiences of performing at this powerful event.

American Gold Star Mothers remind us to put the memory back in Memorial Day along with an invitation to share on our Virtual Wall of Remembrance.

American Idol winner Kris Allen honor troops with his rendition of “God Bless the USA” on the “National Memorial Day Concert.”

Colin Powell welcomes home our heroes from Iraq and Afghanistan and thanks them for their service on the 2011 “National Memorial Day Concert.”

Co-hosts Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise honor wounded warriors who face a long road to recovery.

Co-host Joe Mantegna invites you to participate in our “virtual wall” of remembrance initiative, which features personal stories about war veterans and fallen or injured members of America's Armed Forces.

Concert attendees on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol share the meaning behind their Memorial Day traditions.

Backstage at the “National Memorial Day Concert”, Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise share what is meaningful to them about co-hosting this annual event.

Admiral Mike Mullen expresses personal gratitude on behalf of more than 2 million men and women of the United States Armed Forces, for the support of American citizens.

Taps is performed each year on the “National Memorial Day Concert.”

Listen as a lone bugler plays taps in a solemn performance at the 2004 “National Memorial Day Concert.” Note: Clicking link will open a new window.

Audio Clips

Joe Mantegna reads a letter Abraham Lincoln wrote to the daughter of a friend who had been killed in battle during the Civil War.

Slideshows

Since 1989, the producers of The “National Memorial Day Concert” have been privileged to welcome acclaimed stars from the stage, screen and music worlds. In this slideshow, Executive Producer, Jerry Colbert, muses over the “National Memorial Day Concert’s” 20th Anniversary and the power of sharing stories, reaching out and beginning to heal.

This selection of photos provides a few examples of the show’s special moments.

Each year we receive poignant remembrances of loved ones and friends who died in one of America’s conflicts. We deliver them to the WWII Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam Wall and Arlington National Cemetery in solemn ceremonies.