Honoring the Service and Sacrifice of our Men and Women in Uniform

The Memorial Service for the Entire Nation

The 2008 National Memorial Day Concert
Live on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol
Sunday, May 25, from 8:00 to 9:30 pm ET (check local listings).

PBS unites the nation with the award-winning National Memorial Day Concert (2008) honoring the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform, their families at home and all of those who have given their lives for our country. The event is co-hosted for the third year by Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna, two acclaimed actors who have dedicated themselves to veterans’ causes and supporting the troops in active service.

This year’s special tributes are to the veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam and the sacred war memorials built in their honor in the Nation’s Capital. Actor Charles Durning, a highly decorated World War II veteran and 14-year National Memorial Day Concert participant, will be recognized for his bravery and sacrifice as part of the “Greatest Generation.” The valor of the newest veterans will be honored as the program examines the lasting bonds that buddies form on the battlefields of Iraq.


The Concert will also be broadcast via American Forces Radio and Television Network to the approximately 1 million U.S. Armed Forces, Department of Defense civilian employees and their families stationed overseas in 176 countries and territories and aboard more than 200 U.S. Navy ships at sea.