Esai Morales Presents a Tribute for the 75th Anniversary of the Korean War
Clip: Season 2025 | 2m 56sVideo has Closed Captions
Esai Morales presents a tribute for the 75th anniversary of the Korean War on the 2025 Concert.
2025 marks the 75th anniversary of a conflict that altered the global landscape. Korea was once called “The Forgotten War", but those who served there must not and will not be forgotten. With us at the 2025 National Memorial Day Concert were distinguished veterans of the Korean War. We are grateful to these American heroes. The 2025 National Memorial Day Concert aired Sunday, May 25, 2025 on PBS.
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The National Memorial Day Concert is sponsored by Lockheed Martin and Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans and made possible by the National Park Service, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,...
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Esai Morales Presents a Tribute for the 75th Anniversary of the Korean War
Clip: Season 2025 | 2m 56sVideo has Closed Captions
2025 marks the 75th anniversary of a conflict that altered the global landscape. Korea was once called “The Forgotten War", but those who served there must not and will not be forgotten. With us at the 2025 National Memorial Day Concert were distinguished veterans of the Korean War. We are grateful to these American heroes. The 2025 National Memorial Day Concert aired Sunday, May 25, 2025 on PBS.
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National Memorial Day Concert is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Wall of Remembrance
Who would you like to remember? Visit the National Memorial Day Concert Wall of Remembrance and submit a tribute to loved ones and friends who have served in our nation's military.-Only five short years after the end of World War II, hopes and prayers for a lasting peace were shattered with the outbreak of war on the Korean Peninsula.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of a conflict that altered the global landscape.
From 1950 to 1953, more than 1.5 million of our servicemembers would leave their families and homes to defend a country halfway around the world, a country they knew little about.
Nothing could prepare them for the incredible hardships that followed.
In a place called the Land of the Morning Calm, the Cold War suddenly became hot when North Korea, with support from the Soviet Union and China, launched an unprovoked attack against South Korea.
U.S. troops joined those of 16 other nations in answering their country's call to defend the democratic republic and contain the communist threat.
Within a year, the war descended into a vicious stalemate along hundreds of miles of contested ground.
Conditions became apocalyptic.
Savage, unforgiving winter weather compounded the effects of the relentless onslaught.
Ill equipped for the harsh climate, subzero conditions killed as many men as enemy guns.
As winter turned to summer, monsoon rains transformed roads into rivers of mud.
7,000 Americans were taken as prisoners of war.
3,000 died from deprivation and torture.
After two long years of negotiations, an armistice, not a peace treaty, was signed on July 27, 1953.
36,000 Americans had given their lives during this fierce and brutal conflict.
The wounded numbered nearly 100,000.
None who survived would ever forget what he experienced.
Korea was once called the Forgotten War, but those who served there must not and will not be forgotten.
Etched into the stone of the Korean War Memorial are four words -- Freedom is not free.
Just as you've honored your own in your memories, so we now honor you.
You paid the price for freedom, and you paid it for all of us.
With us tonight are distinguished veterans of the Korean War.
Please rise and thank not only these brave American heroes but also their fellow patriots across the country.
[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪
Yolanda Adams Performs "Bridge Over Troubled Water"
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Clip: S2025 | 2m 54s | Yolanda Adams performs "Bridge Over Troubled Water" on the 2025 National Memorial Day Concert. (2m 54s)
A Tribute to Medal of Honor Recipients
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Clip: S2025 | 2m 45s | Hosts Gary Sinise & Esai Morales present a tribute to Medal of Honor recipients at the 2025 Concert. (2m 45s)
Remarks by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine
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Clip: S2025 | 3m 9s | Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, addresses the crowd on the 2025 Concert. (3m 9s)
The National Symphony Orchestra Performs "The Armed Forces Medley"
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Clip: S2025 | 4m 41s | The NSO performs "The Armed Forces Medley" on the 2025 National Memorial Day Concert. (4m 41s)
Mary McCormack Introduces Global War on Terror / Special Forces Documentary
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Clip: S2025 | 2m 1s | Mary McCormack pays tribute to those who defended our nation in the Global War on Terror. (2m 1s)
Loren Allred Performs "I Hear Your Voice"
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Clip: S2025 | 3m 46s | Loren Allred performs "I Hear Your Voice" on the 2025 National Memorial Day Concert. (3m 46s)
Gretchen Mol Honors Gold Star Wife Krista Simpson Anderson
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Clip: S2025 | 8m 33s | Gretchen Mol shares the story of Gold Star Wife Krista Simpson Anderson on the 2025 Concert. (8m 33s)
Gary Sinise & Scotty Hasting 'Reach Out' Conversation
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Clip: S2025 | 1m 6s | Gary Sinise and Scotty Hasting urge veterans in need to reach out for help on the 2025 Concert. (1m 6s)
Co-Host Esai Morales Introduces "Taps"
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Clip: S2025 | 1m 23s | Co-host Esai Morales introduces "Taps" on the 2025 National Memorial Day Concert. (1m 23s)
Blair Underwood Honors Vietnam War Dustoff Pilot Otis Evans
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Clip: S2025 | 7m 13s | Blair Underwood honors Vietnam War Dustoff pilot Otis Evans on the 2025 Concert. (7m 13s)
A Tribute to WWII's Greatest Generation
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Clip: S2025 | 2m 42s | Gary Sinise & Esai Morales honor those who served in WWII on the 2025 National Memorial Day Concert. (2m 42s)
Robert Patrick Shares the Story of Iwo Jima Veteran Donald Graves
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Clip: S2025 | 7m 59s | Robert Patrick shares the story of veteran Donald Graves on the 2025 National Memorial Day Concert. (7m 59s)
Military Choruses Perform "This Is My Country"
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Clip: S2025 | 2m 44s | Military Choruses perform "This Is My Country" on the 2025 National Memorial Day Concert. (2m 44s)
Hosts Gary Sinise & Esai Morales Commemorate the 250th Anniversary of Our Nation's Service Branches
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Clip: S2025 | 3m 24s | Gary Sinise and Esai Morales commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation's service branches. (3m 24s)
Now PlayingEsai Morales Presents a Tribute for the 75th Anniversary of the Korean War
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S2025 | 2m 56s | Esai Morales presents a tribute for the 75th anniversary of the Korean War on the 2025 Concert. (2m 56s)
Angel Blue Performs the National Anthem
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Clip: S2025 | 1m 59s | Angel Blue performs the national anthem on the 2025 National Memorial Day Concert. (1m 59s)
Scotty Hasting Performs "Red, White, and Blue"
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Clip: S2025 | 3m 12s | Scotty Hasting performs "Red, White, and Blue" on the 2025 National Memorial Day Concert. (3m 12s)
Scotty Hasting Performs "I'm America"
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Clip: S2025 | 2m 57s | Scotty Hasting performs "I'm America" on the 2025 National Memorial Day Concert. (2m 57s)
Krista Simpson Anderson: A Gold Star Wife’s Mission to Serve (Teaser)
Preview: S2025 | 1m 12s | Watch Gold Star wife Krista Simpson Anderson's story. (1m 12s)
Don Graves: A Marine’s Story from Iwo Jima (Teaser)
Preview: S2025 | 30s | Watch the story of U.S. Marine Corps veteran Don Graves. (30s)
Col Otis Evans: Courage in the Skies of Vietnam (Teaser)
Preview: S2025 | 30s | Watch the story of Col Otis Evans. (30s)
2025 National Memorial Day Concert Preview
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Preview: S2025 | 30s | Watch the 2025 National Memorial Day Concert, Sunday, May 25, 8/7C. (30s)
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The National Memorial Day Concert is sponsored by Lockheed Martin and Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans and made possible by the National Park Service, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,...