WASHINGTON, DC — The PBS National Memorial Day Concert, set for Sunday, May 26, will honor the nation's men and women in uniform, as well as their families. The free concert commemorates the 151st anniversary of Memorial Day and will be held on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol from 8 to 9:30 p.m. ET.



Actors Joe Mantegna and Mary McCormack will host the event. Other luminaries taking part include actor Sam Elliott, former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell, singer Patti LaBelle, country artist Alison Krauss, "24" and "The Unit" actor Dennis Haysbert, "Bull" and "Hamilton" star Christopher Jackson, singers Amber Riley, Justin Moore, Gavin DeGraw and more. Performers include: Leona Lewis, the National Symphony Orchestra led by Jack Everly, U.S. Army Chorus and Army Voices, U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, Soldiers' Chorus, U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants and more.

The National Memorial Day Concert features performances documentary footage and dramatic readings. This year's focus will be on the real meaning of the holiday since 2019 marks the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Through the eyes of a highly-decorated combat medic who landed in the first wave on Omaha Beach, the concert will pay tribute to those who sacrificed and died in service to our nation and the world. The concert will share the story of two infantrymen who formed a brotherhood while serving in Vietnam and now meet each year at the Wall. A special 50th anniversary commemoration honors the service and sacrifice of veterans of the Vietnam War. For Gold Star families, every day is Memorial Day. This year, the concert will share one widow's journey, beginning with the day her worst fears came true, says PBS. While she could never "move on" from this loss, she knew that for the sake of her daughter she would have to learn to move forward. Along the way, she found solace and empowerment in helping other widows and widowers.

Organizers say the concert unites the country in remembrance and appreciation of those who gave their lives for our nation and serves those who are grieving through the mission put forward by Abraham Lincoln in his second inaugural address, "Let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan." Memorial Day had been first known at "Decoration Day" and was commemorated at Arlington National Cemetery.

If You Go

Best spots to watch are via the public entrances to the West Front of the U.S. Capitol:

North (Senate) Side of Capitol Square: Third Street NW, and Pennsylvania Avenue NW

South (House) Side of Capitol Square: Third Street SW, and Maryland Avenue SW

General Admission gates typically open at 5 p.m. The public will not be admitted to the West Lawn of the Capitol before that time. All bags, coolers, backpacks and closed containers will be checked; all guests will have to go through a metal detector.