PBS Honors Generations of Service with a Powerful Veterans Day Lineup Across Fall Programming
A powerful lineup honors military service with historical explorations, musical tributes, and the annual Veterans Day special hosted by country music legend Trace Adkins
ARLINGTON, VA; Oct. 29, 2025 – This Veterans Day, PBS invites audiences to experience inspiring stories of military service through a special lineup of programs premiering across PBS, PBS.org and the PBS app.
“Veterans’ voices are among the most important for us to amplify because they represent our family members, colleagues, friends and communities,” said Sylvia Bugg, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming at PBS. “Through our stations and digital platforms, PBS is one of the few places audiences can find dedicated Veterans Day content, not only during this year’s observance, but year-round.”
PBS will premiere SALUTE TO SERVICE 2025: A VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION featuring host Trace Adkins alongside the U.S. Army Field Band on Monday, Nov. 10, 9:00 p.m. ET. The special will include musical performances by opera superstar Angel Blue, jazz vocalist Kurt Elling, and from Adkins himself. The program also shares stories from veterans spanning World War II to the present.
“Veterans Day is about storytelling. When PBS shares veterans’ voices, it reminds the public that our experiences aren’t only military stories, but also American stories,” says LtCol Katie Cook, USMCR, who is featured in SALUTE TO SERVICE. “Listening to these stories helps bridge the gap between those who served and the communities we return to, ensuring the lessons and sacrifices of service continue to inspire.”
Directly following at 10:00 p.m. ET, the documentary THE LAST 600 METERS: THE BATTLES OF NAJAF AND FALLUJAH examines two of the deadliest battles of the 2004 Iraq War. Told entirely through the voices and experiences of those who fought, the film highlights the courage and sacrifice of American soldiers in Iraq.
Premiering on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 8:00 p.m. ET, AMERICAN HEART IN WWI: A CARNEGIE HALL TRIBUTE is a powerful musical and visual account of America’s involvement in The Great War. Filmed earlier this year at the famed concert hall, the story is told through the lives of real people and framed by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic 1925 novel “The Great Gatsby.” Bursting with songs, drama, romance and heroism, AMERICAN HEART is a moving tribute to the generation whose lives were forever changed by the War.
Rounding out the lineup is THE GREAT ESCAPER ON MASTERPIECE, premiering Sunday, Nov. 23 at 9:00 p.m. ET. The drama tells the true story of Bernard Jordan (Michael Caine) who made global headlines in the summer of 2014. He staged a “great escape” from his care home to join fellow war veterans on a beach in Normandy, commemorating fallen comrades at the D-Day Landings 70th anniversary.
In addition to shows premiering on broadcast, encore presentations of two INDEPENDENT LENS films will stream on PBS.org and the PBS app:
Beginning November 6, “Three Chaplains” goes inside the armed forces to see how Muslim chaplains vow to protect the right of every service member to practice their faith freely. On Veterans Day, November 11, “Make Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen” follows a veteran who uses hand-carved battlefield crosses to reconnect with families of fallen, fellow Marines.
For more information and local broadcast times, audiences check local listings. In addition to broadcast, more content can be found on PBS.org, the PBS app and on this YouTube playlist.
– PBS –