Original subtitles

-Live from our Nation's capital,

Downloaded from YTS.MX

it's the 34th annual National Memorial Day con

Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX

Now, please welcome country music superstar, Trace Adkins.

-We commandeer a corner table

At our small town diner

Just five or six old men throwin' out corny ol' one-liner

They pat the heads of children

Give friendly nods to strangers

They sure seem quick to laugh

Makes you think they're slow to

Those guys were front-line broth

Their lives depended on each oth

They were soldiers long before they were men

Yeah, the ones that somehow surv

Came home, went on to build thei

Never chargin' us a penny for the debt we owe to them

But you can almost smell the gun

And the foxholes that they share

On the days they raise their cof

And toast the empty chair

They'll ask you where you're fro

What you do, what you've done

But don't go thinkin' they're al

'Cause you wouldn't wanna piss t

Those guys were front-line broth

Their lives depended on each oth

They were soldiers long before they were men

Yeah, the ones that somehow surv

Came home, went on to build thei

Never chargin' us a penny for the debt we owe to them

But you can almost smell the gun

And the foxholes that they share

On the days they raise their cof

And toast the empty chair

They'll tell you anything you wa

But there's one place they just

'Cause they don't wanna ruin our

By tellin' us the things they've

Those guys were front-line broth

Their lives depended on each oth

They were soldiers long before they were men

Yeah, the ones that somehow surv

Came home, went on to build thei

Never chargin' us a penny

for the debt we owe to them

And you can almost smell the gun

And the foxholes that they share

On the days they raise their cof

And toast the empty chair

To the brother who ain't there

We salute you

[applause]

-Now, welcome to the 34th annual National Memorial Day con

Tonight's special guests are; country music superstar, Trace A

gospel legend, Yolanda Adams,

Screen Actors Guild winner, John

Emmy Award winner, S. Epatha Merkerson,

multi-platinum recording artist, Phillip Phillips,

Tony Award nominee, Mary McCormack,

Screen Actors Guild winner Dule

Country Music Association Award Jo Dee Messina,

acclaimed television and film ac Chosen Jacobs,

Academy of Country Music Award n The War and Treaty,

and Tony Award nominee, Megan Hilty.

Featuring the National Symphony

conducted by Maestro Jack Everly

and General Mark A. Milley,

chairman of the Joint Chiefs of

and The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The US Army Herald Trumpets,

The US Army Chorus,

The Soldiers' Chorus of the US Army Field Band,

the US Navy Band Sea Chanters,

The US Air Force Singing Sergean

The Armed Forces Color Guard and Service Color Teams,

and Patrick Lundy in the Ministers of Music.

The National Memorial Day Concert is made possible by

the National Park Service,

Department of the Army,

the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,

and by contributions to your PBS station

from viewers like you.

Thank you.

And now, here are tonight's co-hosts,

Tony Award winner, Joe Mantegna

and Emmy Award Winner, Gary Sini

Thank you for joining us on the National Memorial Day Concert.

This is my 22nd year doing this

and my 16th year co-hosting with my dear friend, Gary.

Speaking for both of us,

there is nothing we do that is more important

and more meaningful.

-For 34 years,

this concert has served as the Memorial Service for the

a way for all of us regardless o who we are,

where we live,

or what our background is

to join together as one

and to unite in tribute to all who gave their lives for our cou

-We reflect and remember the sacrifice of the fallen,

of our Gold Star families,

and we honor their resilience.

-We honor wounded,

ill and injured veterans here with us tonight

from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

and Fort Belvoir Hospital.

-On this day,

we pay tribute to all who serve and who have served

in the long and proud history of our country.

For whether our nation is at war or at peace,

they always give so much.

Please join us in showing our ap for all these true American hero

[applause]

-Now, please stand if you can,

or stand for those who cant,

with hand on heart or salute

for our National Anthem, performed by Grammy-winning gosp

Yolanda Adams.

[music]

Oh, oh Say can you see

By the dawn's early lighth

What so proudly we hailed

At the twilight's last gleaming

Whose broad stripes

And bright stars

Through the perilous fight

O'er the ramparts we watched

Were so gallantly streaming

And the rocket's red glare

The bombs bursting in air

Gave proof

Through the night

That our flag was still there

Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

[crowd cheering]

-Thank you, Yolanda.

We are all aware that the scars of the Vietnam War run deep.

We remember and honor all those who served in Vietnam;

those who came home and those who tragically did not

Your courage will never be forgo

To all our Vietnam veterans, wel

[crowd cheering]

The Vietnam War has been over for half a century,

but even now, the images from that era remain

Vietnam was a never-ending night

The war came at our troops from everywhere;

impenetrable jungle valleys, forbidden hill country,

cities consumed by destruction.

From 1964 to 1973,

more than three million deployed to South East Asia.

Amidst the horrors of battle, our troops forged life-long bond

Over 150,000 Americans were woun

58,220 were killed.

Their names are now engraved in our nations memory.

Sadly,

many remain unaccounted for.

Families whose loved ones are still missing-in-action,

ache from uncertainty.

For the prisoners of war who suffered unspeakable cruelty

coming home was only the first s in the journey to recovery.

50 years ago, this past March, the last remaining US troops lef

and the final group of American prisoners of war wer

and left Hanoi.

Here,

to share the story of one of those former POWs,

Air Force pilot Carlyle "Smitty" and his wife Louise,

our acclaimed actors, John Slatt and Mary McCormack.

-I loved flying.

During the Korean War,

I enlisted in the Air Force and came back an instructor pilo

You go on a lot of dates as a young airman.

Then, I met Louise.

I introduced her to some friends as Jane by mistake.

-I came right back and said, "Yeah, Tarzan,

you better get my name right."

I knew Smitty was committed to Air Force life.

I knew what I'd signed up for.

By the time we were sent to Okin we had two beautiful girls,

and I was eight months pregnant.

-It was April of '65.

Our first big target was a bridg

used by the North Vietnamese as part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail

I fired my missiles right at the center of the bridge.

Perfect sight, perfect angle, prefect air speed,

but I didn't get very far.

One of the enemy gunners scored a hit on my engine.

The whole plane was burning so I ejected.

I went from fire and noise and c

into absolute silent.

I passed from the known into the

I landed in a large Vietnamese v and was captured immediately.

They stripped off all my gear down to my shorts

and I was shoved onto the backseat of a truck

with an armed guard next to me.

That was the last thing I saw

before I was blindfolded.

-My phone rang about five o'clock in the mornin

It was my mother.

She said, "We've just heard

Smitty's been shot down in Southeast Asia."

The next thing I knew, the casua was knocking on my door.

They told me Smitty was considered missing in action

I said to myself,

"He's still alive, because if he

I would know it."

-The prison was called Wallow.

It meant hellhole.

Later, our POWs called it the Hanoi Hilton.

The cell was seven by seven,

the stench took my breath away.

Every day and night, there were interrogations.

I got knocked all over the place because I wouldn't answer their

I remember the pain of iron shac at the foot of the bunk.

Sometimes a heavy iron bar was added on top.

My hands were tied behind me.

I prayed for the pain to end.

The realization sank in that I wasn't going home to my f

not today,

not tomorrow,

maybe never.

-Smitty had been missing for 38 when I went into labor.

I drove myself to the hospital i

45 minutes later,

Carlisle Smith Harris Jr. was bo

My tears of joy were tinged with that Smitty wasn't there to gree

but I refused to go to dark plac

I thought,

if Smitty can do what he's doing

I can handle this.

-After months in solitary,

I was joined by four other POWs in this eight-cell unit.

The guards would punish us if we

I remembered our instructor back in Escape and Invasion School

telling us how English POWs during World War II

exchanged messages by tapping on a water pipe.

By chance, I knew the tap code a and taught it to the others.

We tapped all the time for conne

and humor to share about our fam

It saved our sanity and helped u

Through the tap code, we developed a brotherhood.

Guys would come back from a torture session,

and the first thing they would h

on the cell wall,

God Bless You,

to know they weren't alone.

I heard it myself.

I might be in the fetal position but I heard it.

-I barely recognized Smitty when I finally saw his picture.

The one taking the Hanoi march.

Seeing him alive was such a reli

but it was also terrifying.

-They handcuffed us together in

and marched us through the main square of Hanoi

The crowd had been whipped up into a frenzy of hate.

They wanted blood.

We were beat up as we went down the narrow stree

It went on and on for two miles.

Things in the camps got worse af

Summer of 1969 became known as the Summer of Ho

-We were told not to say anythin

about Smitty's situation outside of immediate family,

or it might affect his treatment

It was difficult,

but I didn't want anything I sai

to reflect on what was happening to Smitty.

-When I was shot down, I weighed

Dysentery dropped me to less than 90 pounds.

My tap code brothers passed the on to our senior ranking officer

because all my fellow POWs stood up for me and threatened t

I was given medicine.

Every man who demanded help from he might be tortured,

but they did it anyway.

-Over the eight years, Smitty wa

I had one prayer,

let him come back home.

The only place I could allow my grief and fear and sadness to

was alone in the bathroom.

I would stand up and wipe away m

I had to be strong for our child

-The last day at Hanoi Airport,

after the Paris Peace Agreements were announced,

we marched out to the ramp in military formation.

Our captors hated that.

None of us knew what we might face at home.

When we landed,

there were 2000 people cheering and waving American fla

Our release was the only good ne that had come out of Vietnam.

-The night before Smitty came ho I looked in the mirror and wonde

have I changed in the last eight

Deep down I knew I wasnt the sa

I was tougher,

stronger.

As I waited for Smitty to call,

"Please make him say something that lets me know he feels the w

-It just popped out of me.

I said,

"Hi, Jane. This is Tarzan."

-It was perfect.

Just perfect.

-The first time I met my eight-year-old son

was at Maxwell Air Force Base.

Hugging him and my two girls,

it was a taste of heaven.

-Not everyone was as lucky.

Other returning POWs found their wives had left them

or they ended up divorced in the first year.

Too many of them didnt come bac

-Some died in captivity,

some by suicide.

In my mind,

they all died in action.

We've lost so many more in recen

People like Bud Day.

The last time Louise and I saw h he was in hospice care.

He grabbed my hand and tapped on

G-B-U.

I knew it was his way of saying,

we were brothers in arms and loved each other.

With these brothers, I dont have to put it into word

I dont have to try to explain or describe or decipher.

They were there.

-They gave their all to keep the things we believe in

-God Bless You. -God Bless You.

-Thank you, John and Mary.

Colonel Harris and Louise had planned to be here

but for health reasons were unable to travel.

They sent this message to share with everyone.

-Thank you so much for honoring us on this day,

and a special thanks

for honoring all the men and wom of our armed forces

who fought and did not come home from Vietn

You honor their families as well

We wish we could be there with y

but unfortunately, we cannot,

but we are with you there in spi

God bless you.

-And we do.

-Please welcome back Yolanda Ada

Count on me through thick and th

A friendship that will never end

When you are weak, I will be str

Helping you to carry on

Call on me, I will be there

Don't be afraid

Please believe me when I say

Count on

I can see it's hurting you

I can feel your pain

It's hard to see the sunshine

Through the rain ohhhh

I know sometimes it seems as if It's never gonna end

But you'll get through it

Just don't give in

'cause you can

Count on me through thick and th

A friendship that will never end

When you are weak I will be strong

Helping you to carry on Call on me, I will be there

Don't be afraid

Please believe me when I say

Count on

There's a place inside of all of

Where our faith in love begins

You should reach inside to find the truth in love

The answers' there within, oh I know that life can make you

It's much harder than it really

But we'll get through it

just don't give in

oh

Count on me through thick and thin a friends

when you are weak I will be stro

helping you to carry on call on

I will be there

don't you dare be afraid

please believe me when I say

count on

count on count on

count on me

you can count on me

[applause]

-Thank you, Yolanda,

for that moving tribute to men

men like Smitty and all who served with him in V

and to their families back here

We are honored to have with us t 10 Vietnam Veterans

who like Colonel Harris suffered years of deprivation in captivit

as prisoners of war.

We celebrate their resilience and unwavering courage.

Mike Brazelton,

Tom Davis,

Lee Ellis,

Porter Halyburton,

Ed Hubbard,

Norm McDaniel,

Charlie Plumb,

Robert Shumaker,

Gene Smith,

Hubert C. Walker.

Americans of every generation have sacrificed for our nation

and those who are members of the greatest generation

served in World War II, the largest and most destructive

in the history of our planet.

-In the fight to end global tyra

more than 80 million men, women and children perished.

From December 1941 until the final surrender of Jap

in September 1945,

16 million Americans served in u

and more than 400,000 lost their

The reality of war,

for those heading to an uncertai and for those who stayed here at

is full of the pain of separatio

Joining us to perform a song that symbolized what so many fel

is a star of stage and screen,

Megan Hilty.

-Cathedral bells were tolling

and our hearts sang on

was it the spell of Paris

or the April dawn

who knows if we shall meet again

but when the morning chimes

ring sweet again

I'll be seeing you

In all the old familiar places

That this heart of mine embraces

All day through In that small ca

The park across the way

The children's carousel

The chestnut trees

The wishing well

I'll be seeing you

In every lovely summer's day

In everything that's light and g

I'll always think of you that wa

I'll find you in the morning sun

And when the night is new

I'll be looking at the moon

But I'll be seeing you

[applause]

-Thank you, Megan.

Performing with Megan and joining us throughout our co

as they do every year,

is the National Symphony Orchest once again under the direction

of Maestro Jack Everly.

[applause]

-Now, a tribute to all who served in World War II.

[music]

-The country had been attacked, and it was a time in your life

when Uncle Sam was asking for vo

-It was an unbelievable time.

As a kid, 18,

going to war, we didn't know anything about wa

didn't know how to play the game

learned fast,

learned fast.

-I think that you have to learn to be part of a team

and to respect your buddy soldie

We learned to work as a unified

and you take people for what the

not color or religion.

-I think our motivation was to f

we were making a contribution.

We wanted to still prove that we loved our country.

-What would have happened had we not been able to make tha

and go into Normandy and capture

What would this world be like if we hadn't done that?

Well, I left a piece of me in No when we came home.

Your life is different.

Your whole wide world is differe

It changed everything.

-World War II saved the world and freed the wo

gave us freedom throughout the w not just America,

and of course, it saved democrac

-I almost cried when I think of those young men.

I think of them every day.

They were a part of my life then

and they'll always be a part of

-I just think about how much they could have been,

how much they could have contrib

to their community their family, the country

if they had lived on.

-I tell my story for those who can't speak for themselves.

-We gave up our yesterdays

for your tomorrows.

[music]

[applause]

-Tonight we also pay tribute to the 250,000 Merchant Marines

who served in the Second World W

They delivered critical supplies and personnel

for allied operations in Europe and the Pacific.

During that conflict,

733 Merchant Marine ships were sunk due to enemy attacks.

609 Mariners were prisoners of w and over 9,500 were killed.

-The contribution to our cause cannot be overstate

for as general Dwight Eisenhower

"No organization deserved more c

for our final victory than the Merchant Marines."

Their heroic efforts were formerly recognized in 2020

when Congress passed

the Merchant Mariners of World W Congressional Gold Medal Act.

With us tonight,

our Merchant Marine Veterans of World War II.

Please join me in thanking them and all who served with them

for their courage and dedication to our nation.

[applause]

-2023

marks the 70th anniversary

of the Korean War Armistice.

World War II's long Shadow had barely lifted

when US troops joined those of 16 other nations

and answering their country's ca to fight in the Korean Peninsula

Since 1950, over 3 million Ameri have served in South Korea.

28,000 are still there today.

Many at risk is a result of lasting tensions

along the demilitarized zone.

Korean War exploded in June 1950

when North Korea with support from the Soviet Union and China

launched a surprise attack against South Korea.

What became a three-year ordeal of brutal fighting

would come to involve more than 1.7 million Americans.

During the first months of comba

the enemy sought to push Allied off the Korean Peninsula

at the Pusan perimeter.

A daring US amphibious landing at Incheon in September

turned the tide of the war.

Within two weeks of Incheon, US troops retook the capital of

Soon,

US forces were marching across the 38th parallel into No

advancing to within miles of the Chinese border

along the frozen Yalu River and the chosen reservoir.

Victory seemed almost at hand.

Then 300,000 battle-ready Chines

struck hard and fast across the entire front.

Their unrelenting attacks inflic massive casualties and instilled

Nothing could prepare our troops the incredible hardships that fo

Conditions on the ground became apocalyptic,

savage, unforgiving winter weath

compounded the effects of the relentless onslaught.

Ill-equipped for the harsh condi

as many men froze in foxholes as were killed by enemy guns.

Korean Civilians endured unspeakable suffering

from the ravages of war.

Three million people were left h

A vicious,

never-ending stalemate persisted along hundreds of contested mile

7,000 were taken prisoners of wa

and 3,000 died from deprivation and torture.

The wounded numbered nearly 100,

Invisible scars would plague oth for the rest of their lives.

36,000 Americans

gave their lives in the course of this fierce and brutal confli

After two long years of negotiat an armistice, not a peace treaty

was signed on July 27th, 1953.

Finally,

our troops began to head for hom

Tonight we honor those

who fought and those who died in what was once called "The Forgot

With us this evening

are veterans representing all th

who served and sacrificed in Kor

Please join us in thanking these true American heroes.

[music]

Jerry Beydler,

Narce Caliva,

Steve Culbert,

Paul Cunningham,

James Diamond,

Lew Ewing,

Jack Keep,

and Eleanor Porter.

[applause]

As always,

we want to take a moment to recognize Americas first res

and make special mention of the United States Capitol Pol

and its members for their dedica and to thank them for keeping us

[applause and cheering] [music]

-Tonight, as we do every year,

we recognize the families of the

and offer them our love,

our support, and our thanks for their sacrifi

They are Americas Gold Star Fam and they can never be honored en

-As we remember and honor the fa

it is of critical importance to stand by all our military fam

when they face difficult times.

It is up to all of us,

members of our wonderful America

to be there for them, giving our support

and reassuring them they will never be left behind.

With a song that speaks to just please welcome,

Phillip Phillips.

[applause] [music] [Gone, Gone, Gone by Phillip Phi

When life leaves you high and dry I'll be at your door ton

If you need help

if you need help I'll shut down the city lights

I'll lie, cheat, I'll beg, and b

To make you well, to make you we

When enemies are at your door I'll carry you way from war

If you need help, if you need he

Your hope dangling by a string I'll share in your suffering

To make you well, to make you we

Give me reasons to believe

That you would do the same for m

(come on sing)

And I would do it for you, for y

Baby, I'm not moving on

I'll love you long after you're

For you, for you

You will never sleep alone

I'll love you long after you're And long after you're gone, gone

You're my backbone You're my cornerstone

You're my crutch

when my legs stop moving

You're my headstart

You're my rugged heart

You're the pulse that I've always needed (come on)

Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating (sing it)

Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating (come on)

Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating (sing along)

Like a drum, my heart never stops beating

For you, for you

Baby, I'm not moving on

I'll love you long after you're

For you, for you.

You'll never sleep alone

I'll love you long after you're

For you, for you

Baby, I'm not moving on

I'll love you long after you're

For you, for you

You'll never sleep alone

I'll love you long, long after y

Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating (sing it)

Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating

Like a drum, baby, don't stop be

Like a drum, my heart never stops beating for

And long after you're gone, gone

I'll love you long after you're gone, gone, gone

[applause]

-Americas all-volunteer militar began 50 years ago.

For over half a century, our countrys bravest men and wo

have willingly put themselves in harms way to keep us safe an

Many heroically served multiple deployments in the long

in our historyAfghanistan and i

[gunshot]

-Take cover. -Operation Iraqi Freedom

began twenty years ago.

What was an anticipated short-term action

quickly grew into an ongoing mae of bloody violence.

Our servicemen and women were asked to carry out their mi

while facing threats from unseen

ceaseless guerrilla action,

rocket and mortar attacks,

and the crippling and often fatal blasts of IEDs.

Injury or death came at any mome in every town and on every road.

At the peak of the war over 170,000 U.S. Forces

were stationed in Iraq.

More than 32,000 American troops were wounded in action.

Countless more came home

with Traumatic Brain Injuries and Post Traumatic Stress.

Over 4,000 American troops lost their lives.

Even as the war began to wind do

Iraq remained a very dangerous p

The one constant our troops continued to volunteer and serve

knowing they might lose their li

They left behind parents,

spouses,

siblings, and children.

US Army Sergeant Anthony Oneal Magee

from Hattiesburg, Mississippi served two tours of duty in Iraq

Here to share the story of 3 generations of his family a

acclaimed actors S. Epatha Merke

Dulé Hill,

and Chosen Jacobs.

[music]

-Anthony was the perfect child.

Everybody loved him.

I had him when I was 18.

My husband Tony and I didn't kno a thing about raising kids,

but we decided to stick together no matter what,

to raise our family like a family is supposed to be.

-My brother Anthony was the elde

then Monica, LeRon and me.

Anthony was that kid everybody wanted to be around.

He was a giver,

and he was a straight A student.

Instead of college,

I joined the Air Force.

Been in 19 years.

-I did not want Anthony to join because he would be away from us

and you can bet we had a good fight about that,

but he wanted to serve his count

and he said he could afford to t of his son, Kameron better

if he joined the military.

-It was hard having a dad who was always deploying somewhe

I remember times he came home,

we used to be happy and all that

He was real good to me.

Always.

-When the Army called about Anth it was the day before Tony's bir

We had planned a crawfish boil, but it started raining.

The phone rang,

LeRon answered and said, "Mom, somebody needs to speak to dad."

Then I heard Tony say,

"Anthony Magee?"

When he said that, I hit the flo I said, "Lord,

please don't let it be Anthony."

-Anthony had been talking to a friend outside his tent,

helping him through a hard time.

When he turned to go inside, a rocket exploded,

and a piece of shrapnel went rig into the back of his head.

They medivacked him to Landstuhl in Germany

near where I was stationed.

When I walked in that room,

I knew I'd never talk to my brot

-My faith was so strong.

I just thought, "When I get over there, I can pr

and God will touch him and make

When I saw Anthony, it looked like he was just sleep

I fell on my knees.

I held Anthony's hand

and Tony and I begged God for our son's life.

-By the time my mom finished pra every doctor, every nurse,

anybody who was within the sound of her voice

was on their knees right there w

There had to be 30 people in Anthony's room.

Every one of them was crying.

-They told us that he had been hit in his leg,

his arms, and his side,

but they hadn't told us right aw about the shrapnel in his head.

We talked to the doctor.

Anthony was dead.

I knew in that moment

I had to let him go.

He was God's child now.

-It was hard going back to Hattiesburg after that.

The whole town came out to pay their respects.

There were cars on both sides of the highway

stopped with their blinkers on,

people waving their flags as Anthony's coffin rolled past.

It was powerful seeing strangers standing there,

sharing your grief for a person they've never known.

It hits them because people thin

"That could have been my son or my daughter or my husband or

-I was five around the time my d

Really,

it's hard when you're young

and you lose a parent.

You start asking questions like,

You wish it all never happened.

You wish that your parent was there for you,

and he isn't.

-We thought time would heal,

it hasn't.

Not a day goes by that we don't think of Anthony.

On holidays when the family gath

somebody mentions him, tells stories, but he's not ther

A piece of my heart just faded away the grief,

I can't really let it come out.

I just keep it balled up inside

-My mom didn't get that moment of mourning for hers

because she was trying to make s everybody else was okay.

We're all broken from him.

My dad still wears Anthony's dog

Kameron started having trouble i

especially if somebody said something about his dad.

-I was angry for a long time,

but meeting up with other Gold Star Families really helped

We share stories about our paren

their lives.

We understand each other's pain

Having someone to talk to, it means so much.

-When I think about it now, we would've been better off

if we had talked to somebody, a

My daughter, Monica is the only one who did,

and it really helped her.

-The healing is still going on.

It's just not the same.

It's a stinging,

lasting,

enduring hurt, it's like a rolle

Anthony had so much going for hi

It's hard to believe it's been 1

-I'm not ever forgetting my son,

but the little things like a lea falling off a tree are starting

I understand and I had to unders that Anthony had done

what he came to do on this Earth

He had done so much for so many, he lived a whole life by 29,

and when I see Kam,

I see Anthony.

He's in his boy.

-They say my dad and I act alike

They tell me stories about him, so I'll have more memories of hi

It makes me happy to know I'm just like him.

From my senior prom, I had my da printed on the back of my suit

and I rocked it. [laughs]

Yes, everybody loved it.

In a way, it felt like my dad wa

-We've always been a tight famil and are going to be that forever

When Anthony passed, it hurt eve

It was a chain and we lost one l but it's still strong.

We just tighten it up a little m

Sometimes I sit and think about how different life would be

if he was still here.

It makes Monica, LeRon, and me a that Anthony would never know ou

and they will never know him.

We lost a big heart.

The man he would've become.

-Kameron's turned into a fine yo

in his first year of college.

He'll always love and miss his d

I don't want him to forget him.

Too many others already have.

-They give you Memorial Day,

they give you Veterans Day, and

"Okay,

these are the days when we recognize service and ou

Right?

Then it's over. Like that's enou

But it's not enough.

-That first Memorial Day after Anthony passed,

we probably got 100 calls from folks saying

they were thinking of us.

But the next year it dropped to maybe 75 then 25.

Pretty soon, Memorial Day would come and go

and the phone wouldn't ring.

I have no words to tell you how that makes a parent feel.

-My grandma told me

that my dad served this country to make things better,

not only for him but for everyon

I'd like people to know that my dad was a hero,

and I hope I make him proud.

-It's important to remember thos who gave their lives

for something they believe in

and honor their families.

That's why we're free,

because of other people's sacrif

-Memorial Day used to be just a holiday for us.

I never really thought about what the day meant

until we lost Anthony.

We have a whole new perspective

Our lives have been changed fore

and in our house,

every day is Memorial Day.

[applause]

-With a special tribute to all our Gold Star Families,

here is an Iraq War Veteran,

Michael Trotter Junior and Tanya Trotter,

The War, and Treaty.

-This is for all my brothers and who gave their rise in the war.

-God bless you all.

I've held the hands of an angel

and it was hard to let go

I've heard the sound of heaven knocking at the door

when it was time to claim a soul

When the roll is called up yonde [when the roll is called up yond

when the roll is called up yonde [when the roll is called up yond

I'll look for you

and I'll be there [I'll be there

I've always wondered when the rain pours

is it the son having a cry

I reckon it must be hard on Jesu

when teardrops fall from our eye

When the roll is called up yonde [when the roll is called up yond

when the roll is called up yonde [when the roll is called up yond

I'll look for you (You look for

and I'll be there, [Ill be ther

Lord have mercy now

When the roll is called up yonde [when the roll is called up yond

when the roll is called up yonde [when the roll is called up yond

I'll look for you (You look for

and I'll be there, lord [Ill be

I'll look for you (You look for

and I'll be there, lord

I'll be right there

-[?]

[applause]

-At this concert tonight,

and tomorrow on Memorial Day,

we remember all those

who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

-From 1776 until today over one million Americans

paid the supreme price for our peace and for our freedo

-It is for them that we have Mem

-It is for them

that we now play Taps

[Taps]

-Please welcome, Jo Dee Messina.

[Heaven Was needing a Hero by Jo Dee Messina]

-I came by today to see you

Though I had to let you know

If I knew the last time that I held you was the last time

I'd have held you

and never let go

Oh, it's kept me awake nights wo

I lie in the dark,

just asking "Why?"

I've always been told

You won't be called home until it's your time.

I guess heaven was needing a her

Somebody just like you

Brave enough to stand up

For what you believe

And follow it through

When I try to make it make sense in my mind

The only conclusion I come to

Is that heaven was needing a her

Like you

I remember the last time I saw y

Oh, you held your head up proud

I laughed inside when I saw how

Standing out in the crowd

You're such a part of who I am

Now that part will just be void

No matter how much I need you no

Heaven needed you more

Heaven was needing a hero

Somebody just like you

Brave enough to stand up

For what you believe

And follow it through

When I try to make it make sense in my mind

The only conclusion I come to

Is that heaven was needing a her

Like you

Heaven was needing a hero

That's you

[applause]

-Thank you, Jo Dee.

As we remember those we lost, we must always make sure

to stand by our brothers and sisters in need.

-If you or someone you know is experiencing

symptoms of emotional distress,

mental illness,

or having thoughts of suicide,

help is available at the number on our screen.

Don't suffer in silence.

Please reach out.

-With us tonight is someone who knows firsthand

how important this is.

We're joined by Michael Trotter

and his wife Tanya from The War and Treaty.

Michael, as a veteran of two tours of duty in Iraq,

you faced some difficult times when you came home.

Do you have a message for our veterans or service memb

who are struggling?

-Yes. Thank you, Joe.

I'm a living testament that there is light at the end of the

Several years ago, I was despond

suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder

after my service,

contemplating suicide.

But then the love and support of everyone overwhelmed me,

especially the love of my wife T

and I'm able to be here tonight standing on this stage.

-Every single day since then I see the joy in fire in Michael

and I thank God he made it out of the wrenching situation

and that his passion for music,

people and love is still there and always will be.

[applause]

-Thank you, Tanya and Michael.

All of our military and their families need our supp

On our website, you'll find links to organizatio

dedicated to helping veterans,

Gold Star Families, active duty and their families.

If you are a wounded,

ill or injured veteran in need o

please reach out.

-It's been a tradition

from the beginning of the National Memorial Day con

to salute all the men and women from every branch of our armed s

Please welcome the Chiefs of the Military Services.

[music]

-And now,

Maestro Jack Everly,

our orchestra and military chour perform the Armed Forces Medley.

Whether here or watching at home if you are able, please stand

when your service is presented.

[music]

-[sings] Were always ready for -The United States Coast Guard.

-We place our trust in Thee

Through surf and storm And howling gale

High shall our purpose be

Semper Paratus is our guide

Our fame and glory too

To fight to save Or fight and die

Aye Coast Guard we are for you

-United States Space Force.

-We're the mighty watchful eye

Guardians beyond the blue

The invisible front line

Warfighters brave and true

Boldly reaching into space

There's no limit to our sky

Standing guard both night and da

We're the Space Force from on hi

-United States Air Force.

-Off we go into the wild blue yo

Climbing high into the sun

Here they come zooming to meet our thunder

At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun! (Give 'er the gun now!)

Down we dive, spouting our flame from under

Off with one helluv a roar

We live in fame or go down in fl

Hey Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air

-United States Navy.

-Anchors Aweigh, my boys

Anchors Aweigh

Farewell to foreign shores

We sail at break of day-ay-ay-ay

Through our last night ashore

Drink to the foam

Until we meet once more Here's wishing you a happy voyag

-United States Marines.

From the Halls of Montezuma

To the Shores of Tripoli

We fight our country's battles

In the air, on land and sea

First to fight for right and fre

And to keep our honor clean

We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine.

-United States Army.

First to fight for the right And to build the Nations might

And the Army goes rolling along

Proud of all we have done Fighting till the battles won

And the Army goes rolling along

Then its hi! hi! hey The Armys on its way

Count off the cadence loud and s

For whereer we go You will always know

That the Army goes rolling along Rolling along

[applause]

-I am privileged to introduce the Vice Chairman

of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,

Admiral Christopher W. Grady.

[applause]

-It is our honor to introduce

the distinguished Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

-Please, welcome General Mark A.

[applause]

-Good evening everyone.

In this 155th Memorial Day,

we honor the more than 1 million Americans,

who gave their last full measure of devotion

in service to our great nation.

Behind every one of these men and women is a family,

many of whom are here tonight.

A husband or a wife, a mother, a

a brother, sister, son, or daugh

For these families,

every single day is Memorial Day

The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coastgua

represent the highest ideals of America.

Each of them paid in blood for the freedoms

that we enjoy every day.

Their families carry on the drea

that our fallen never realized.

These brave men and women willin enter the crucible of combat

knowing the price

they may be asked to pay.

Their blood spilled on the slopes of Bunker Hill,

the fields of Gettysburg, the forests of the Meuse-Argonne

sands of Normandy and Iwo Jima,

the frozen tundra of the Chosin

the jungles of the La Drang Vall

and the sands and mountains of Iraq and Afghanistan.

They fought.

They fought thousands of miles from their homes and their birth

In these moments of carnage,

death, and destruction,

ordinary Americans

displayed extraordinary characte and uncommon valor.

In these moments,

the courage of a few inspired a nation of many.

They fought for humanity

and they laid down their lives on the altar of freedom.

So we pause.

We pause here and now on this Memorial Day to remember

No matter the cost,

America's brave men and women will always answer our nation's

Now it is up to us, we, the living to stand and watch

to ensure that our fallen did not die in vain,

to ensure that this experiment in liberty continues,

so each generation to come can enjoy the blessings of life,

liberty, and the pursuit of happ

On behalf of the Joint Chiefs of thank you all.

Thank you to all those who have made sacrifices,

so much to protect and defend the Constitution against all ene

foreign and domestic.

We in uniform,

we swear to you the American peo

that we will never turn our back on the Constitution,

and we will never turn our back on our fallen.

We must always honor them,

and we must forever cherish the that is America

and the cause for which they die

May God bless the United States of America,

and we of the Joint Chiefs salut each and every one of you.

[applause]

-Thank you for joining us tonigh

-The concert will repeat immedia

following this live broadcast on most PBS stations.

And now,

please take out your phones, turn the flashlight on,

hold them high, keep them shining

and wave them to a song that speaks to the unity

that is so important to all of u

Once again, The War and Treaty.

[music]

We have lost so much

It's hard to hold on without tou

But we can't let each other fall

So remember I'm just a call away

We are one We are one

We are one

We are one

We are one

And the world is still so beauti

Together we'll stand and not lose hope

'Cause we are one We are one

We are one

Can't you see it all around

In every heart, love can be foun

We are one

We are one

When you're afraid

Together, we will fight here

You're not invisible

I see you holding back tears

but I'm here

We are one

We are one

And the world is still so beauti

Together, we'll stand and not lose hope

'Cause we are one We are one

We are one

Can't you see it all around

In every heart, love can be foun

We are one

The world is still so beautiful

Together, we'll stand and not lose hope

We are one (we are one)

We are one

Can't you see it all around

In every heart, love can be foun

We are one We are one

We are one (we are one)

We are one

[applause]

[music]

God bless America,

land that our love

Stand beside her

-To learn more about the National Memorial Day Concer

and find links to organizations to helping veterans and military

please visit our website at pbs.org/memorialdayconcert

or join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook.

The National Memorial Day Concert is made possible by

the National Park Service,

Department of the Army,

the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,

and by contributions to your PBS station

from viewers like you.

Thank you.

-You're watching PBS.