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Renowned Actors Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna to Co-Host 2010 National Memorial Day Concert on PBS

WASHINGTON, April 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For more than 20 years, PBS has been proud to honor the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform, their families at home and all those who have given their lives for our country with the annual broadcast of the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT. The multi award-winning event, broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, will be co-hosted for the fifth year by Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise (CSI: NEW YORK) and Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna (CRIMINAL MINDS), two acclaimed actors who have dedicated themselves to veteran's causes and supporting our troops in active service. The 21st annual broadcast of THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT will air live in HD on PBS Sunday, May 30 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET (check local listings) before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100422/DC91373)

Joining co-hosts Sinise and Mantegna will be an all-star line-up of dignitaries, actors and musical artists that to date includes: distinguished American leader Colin L. Powell USA (Ret.); Oscar, Golden Globe and multiple Grammy award-winning music legend and humanitarian Lionel Richie whose distinguished career includes over 100 million records sold; Grammy, CMA and ACM Award-winning country music artist Brad Paisley; acclaimed actor Dennis Haysbert; classical crossover artist Katherine Jenkins; three time Tony-nominated Broadway star Kelli O'Hara and Grammy-winning gospel/adult contemporary superstar Yolanda Adams in performance with the National Symphony Orchestra (additional talent to be announced).

The evening, that has become an American tradition, offers viewers a time to remember, to heal and bring our country together. The 2010 event will focus on three main themes:

    --  The concert will honor the sacrifices, suffering and love of a new
        generation of young military widows whose fallen spouses served in Iraq
        and Afghanistan.
    --  On the 60th anniversary of the Korea War, the broadcast pays tribute to
        the heroic service of the soldiers who fought and perished in this
        "forgotten war."
    --  The concert will also pay homage to the more than 125,000 WWI and WWII
        service members who did not come home but rest in 24 military cemeteries
        in the foreign lands where they fought for liberty.

The U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff will also participate in the event along with The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, The U.S. Army Chorus, The Soldiers Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band, The U.S. Navy Sea Chanters, the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants, the Armed Forces Color Guard and Service Color Teams provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C.

Companion Web Site

A companion Web Site at www.pbs.org/memorialdayconcert will feature a comprehensive viewer's guide to the 2010 concert and a special remembrance area where veterans and their families can send eulogies for their loved ones and friends.

Underwriters

The NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT is made possible by grants from Disabled American Veterans and Golden Corral Restaurants, the National Park Service, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Department of the Army, the National Endowment for the Arts, General Dynamics, PBS and public television stations nationwide. Air travel is provided by American Airlines.

SOURCE Capital Concerts