Hosts Gary Sinise & Esai Morales Commemorate the 250th Anniversary of Our Nation's Service Branches
Clip: Season 2025 | 3m 24sVideo has Closed Captions
Gary Sinise and Esai Morales commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation's service branches.
2025 marks the 250th birthday of the United States Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. Our armed forces answered the call to service even before the United States became a nation. Today, they sustain our nation’s freedoms on land, sea, air and in space. 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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Hosts Gary Sinise & Esai Morales Commemorate the 250th Anniversary of Our Nation's Service Branches
Clip: Season 2025 | 3m 24sVideo has Closed Captions
2025 marks the 250th birthday of the United States Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. Our armed forces answered the call to service even before the United States became a nation. Today, they sustain our nation’s freedoms on land, sea, air and in space. 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.-America began as an idea, a dream.
The blood of those who placed duty before itself made that dream a reality.
Our Armed Forces answered the call to service even before the United States became a nation.
-Then, as now, its members came from all walks of life, from towns and cities, from factories and farms, from one end of the country to another.
We enjoy our freedoms today because of what they accomplished.
-This year marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of our Armed Forces.
On April 19, 1775, the shot heard round the world was fired on Lexington Green when militiamen from Massachusetts faced off against British forces.
Two months later, the Congress authorized the establishment of a united fighting force drawn from across the colonies.
George Washington was nominated to be its leader.
Over eight arduous years of struggle with Great Britain, what emerged as the United States Army became the symbol around which 13 fractious colonies rallied and ultimately won their freedom.
The principles established at its founding remain unwavering.
Always place the mission first.
Never accept defeat and never quit.
-Born in Philadelphia on October 13, 1775, the U.S. Navy began as a small fleet of 27 ships.
Pitted against the 18th century's greatest nautical power, the Navy defended our freedom of the seas not only in the American Revolution but in battle after battle across the globe.
From its humble beginnings, the U.S. Navy has grown into the world's most powerful maritime force, guided by the words, "Not self, but country."
-The United States Marines started as a single battalion of 300 men in November 1775.
Their first taste of combat came with an amphibious landing at Nassau, New York, in the pivotal year of 1776.
The fighting spirit forged in the fire of the American Revolution lives on in our Marines today.
These words remain true -- "Once a Marine, always a Marine."
-Though their missions differ, the United States Army, Navy, and Marines share core values.
-Duty.
-Honor.
-Courage.
-Commitment.
-Our Armed Forces gave birth to our nation.
Today, they sustain that nation's freedoms on land, sea, air, and in space.
This Memorial Day, we salute their selfless devotion to an America made possible by their sacrifice.
-Our Army, Navy, and Marines have always been proud to serve, and we, as a grateful nation, owe them our thanks.
More than that, we owe them our 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)
Now PlayingHosts Gary Sinise & Esai Morales Commemorate the 250th Anniversary of Our Nation's Service Branches
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S2025 | 3m 24s | Gary Sinise and Esai Morales commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation's service branches. (3m 24s)
Esai Morales Presents a Tribute for the 75th Anniversary of the Korean War
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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,...