National Memorial Day Concert

NOIPS LIVE FROM THE --

ANNOUNCER

LIVE FROM THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL, JOIN US AS WE HONOR OUR TROOPS, OUR VETERANS, OUR MILITARY FAMILY, THE NATIONAL DAY CONCERT. THIS EVENING, WE GATHER TOGETHER TO REMEMBER OUR NATION'S HEROES, THE MEN AND THE WOMEN WHO HAVE FOUGHT AND WHO HAVE DIED FOR OUR COUNTRY. TONIGHT'S CONCERT FEATURES THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONDUCTED BY MAESTRO JACK EVERLY AND HOSTED BY JOE MANTEGNA AND GARY SINISE. OUR SPECIAL GUESTS ARE SOPRANO SUPERSTAR, RENEE FLEMING, MUSIC LEGENDS, THE BEACH BOYS. LEADER AND STATESMAN, COLIN POWELL, THREE-TIME ACADEMY COUNTRY MUSIC AWARD WINNER TRACE ADKINS. SINGER AND STAR OF TO TELL VISION HIT "SCORPION" KATHARINE MCPHEE, THIS YEAR'S AMERICAN "IDOL" WINNER TRENT HARMON, STAR OF FILM TELEVISION AND BROADWAY STAGE, EPTHA MERKERSON, THE INTERNATIONAL STAR TEENDY AWARD ALFIE BOE, STAR OF THE FILM AND TELEVISION ESAI MORALES, WITH CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT OF CHIEFS STAFF GENERAL JOSEPH F. DONEFORD JR., THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, THE U.S. ARMY HA RELLED TRUMPET, THE U.S. ARMY CHORUS, THE SOLDIERS CHORUS OF THE U.S. ARMY FIELD BAND, THE U.S. NAVY BAND SEA CHANTERS AND THE U.S. AIR FORCE SINGING SERLINGTS AFPBLED THE ARMED FORCES COLOR GUARD AND SERVICE COLOR TEAMS. THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT IS MADE POSSIBLE BY LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION.. ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, THE CORPORATION OF PUBLIC BROADCASTING, GENERAL DYNAMICS. >> OUR CO-HOSTS STAR OF "CRIMINAL MINDS"," JOE MANTEGNA AND STAR OF "CRIMINAL MINDS": BEYOND BORDERS" GARY SINISE.

JOE

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT. AS YOU CAN SEE IT'S RAINING AND MANY ARE HOME WATCHING ON TV BUT OUR TROOPS HAVE SERVED UNDER FAR MORE CONDITIONS THAN THESE, SO WE WILL CARRY ON.

APPLAUSE

JOE

GARY AND I LOOK FORWARD ALL YEAR TO HOSTING THIS EXTRAORDINARY EVENING, WHEN WE HONOR THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES FOR OUR COUNTRY, AS WELL AS OUR WOUNDED VETERANS, OUR LIVING MEMORIALS. ALL OF US APPRECIATE YOUR SACRIFICE.

APPLAUSE

JOE

WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT SUCH A DISTINGUISHED ARRAY OF ARTISTS AND PERFORMERS ARE HERE TO SHARE IN THIS UNIQUELY AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, WHAT HAS TRULY BECOME THE MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE FOR OUR ENTIRE COUNTRY.

GARY

THIS EVENING IS OUR SPECIAL NIGHT TO EXPRESS PROFOUND AND HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO THE ALMOST 150,000 SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE DEPLOYED IN OVER 150 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD, INCLUDING OVER 13,000 IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ, AND ALMOST 25,000 IN SOUTH KOREA. FOR OUR TROOPS ON ACTIVE DUTY WHO ARE HERE TONIGHT AND YOUR FAMILIES, YOU HAVE OUR UTMOST THANKS. LET'S HEAR IT FROM OUR ALL OUR MILITARY FAMILIES.

APPLAUSE

GARY

TONIGHT, IS ABOUT CREATING A COMMUNITY OF REMEMBRANCE AND SUPPORT THAT WILL CONTINUE LONG AFTER THESE LIGHTS GO DOWN. WE ALSO WANT TO THANKING OUR OWN NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MAESTRO JACK EVERLY. AND NOW TO LEAD US IN THE SINGING OF OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM ACCOMPANIED BY THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, YOUR "AMERICAN IDOL" TRENT HARMON. OH SAY CAN YOU SEE BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAILED AT THE TWILIGHTS LAST GLEAMING WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT FOR THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHED WERE SO GALLANTLY TREATMENTING AND THE ROCKETS 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

APPLAUSE

GARY

AN ACCOMPLISHED ACTRESS AND SINGER WHOSE ALBUMS AND SINGLES HAVE DEBUTED AT THE TOP OF THE BILLBOARD CHARTS. PLEASE WELCOME KATHARINE MCPHEE. >> OVER A CENTURY AGO AN ENGLISH PROFESSOR TOOK A TRIP ACROSS AMERICA. SO MOVED BY THE BEAUTY OF OUR COUNTRY, KATHARINE LEE BATES WROTE A POEM THAT'S BECOME A NATIONAL HYMN. NOW MORE THAN EVER IT LIFTS OUR SPIRITS AND TOUCHES OUR SOULS INSPIRING AND UNITING US AS AMERICANS. O BEAUTIFUL FOR SPACIOUS SKIES FOR AMBER WAVES OF GRAIN FOR PURPLE MOUNTAINS MAJESTIES ABOVE THE FRUITED PLAIN AMERICA AMERICA GOD SHED HIS GRACE ON THEE AND CROWN THY GOOD WITH BROTHERHOOD FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF THE COMING OF THE LORD HE IS TRAMPING OUT THE VINTAGE WHERE THE GRAPES OF WRATH ARE STORED HE HAS LOOSED THE FATEFUL LIGHTNING OF HIS TERRIBLE SWIFT SWORD HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON I HAVE SEEN HIM IN THE WATCH FIRES OF A HUNDRED CIRCLING CAMPS THEY HAVE BUILDED HIM AN ALTAR IN THE EVENING DEWS AND DAMPS I CAN READ HIS RIGHTEOUS SENTENCE BY THE DIM AND FLARING LAMPS HIS DAY IS MARCHING ON GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON AMERICA AMERICA GOD SH EVERINGS D HIS GRACE ON -- SHED HIS GRACE ON THEE AND CROWN THY GOOD WITH BROTHERHOOD FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA SHINING SEA >> THANK YOU, KATHARINE, THAT WAS TRULY BEAUTIFUL. TO GUIDE US TO OUR NATION'S MOST HALLOWED GROUND, PLEASE WELCOME STAR OF TELEVISION AND FILM AND ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF NATIONAL HISPANIC FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS, ESAI MORALES. >> ON THIS MEMORIAL DAY, WHILE THOUSANDS OF OUR TROOPS REMAIN IN HARM'S WAY, WE REMEMBER THAT SINCE THE BIRTH OF OUR NATION, OVER ONE AND A HALF MILLION OF OUR SERVICE MEMBERS HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES TO OUR COUNTRY AND THE VALUES WE HOLD SO DEAR. MORE THAN 400,000 OF THESE COURAGEOUS MEN AND WOMEN ARE LAID TO REST JUST TWO MILES FROM HERE. ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, OUR NATION'S MONUMENT TO BRAVERY, VALOR AND SACRIFICE. YET THE SACRED PURPOSES OF THIS HALLOWED GROUND WAS CRAFTED FROM A TIME WHEN AMERICANS FOUGHT AGAINST EACH OTHER. THE CIVIL WAR WAS THE BLOODIEST CONFLICT IN AMERICAN HISTORY. THE CASUALTIES SO SEVERE THAT IN CEMETERIES NEAR WASHINGTON, D.C., THERE WERE MORE DEAD SOLDIERS THAN EMPTY GRAVES TO FILL THEM. THEY OFTEN WERE BURIED WITHOUT RECOGNITION OR CEREMONY IN SHALLOW GRAVES WITH CRUDE WOODEN MARKERS. WITHIN VIEW OF THE NATION'S CAPITOL, ARLINGTON WAS CHOSEN TO BECOME THE NEW NATIONAL MILITARY CEMETERY. BY WAR'S END, OVER 16,000 SOLDIERS HAD BEEN BURIED AT ARLINGTON. MANY UNIDENTIFIED, BOTH UNION AND CONFEDERATE. ARLINGTON BECAME KNOWN AS "THE FIELD OF THE DEAD." >> GREAT EFFORTS WERE MADE AFTER THE WAR TO MAKE ARLINGTON WORTHY OF THOSE MADE TO REST THERE. IN 1868, MAY 30TH WAS PROCLAIMED DECORATION DAY. AND IT WAS PROMISED THAT NO NEGLECT, NO RAVAGES OF TIME WOULD TESTIFY THAT WE HAVE FORGOTTEN AS A PEOPLE THE COST OF A FREE AND UNDIVIDED REPUBLIC. OVER TIME, THAT SPECIAL DAY BECAME KNOW AS MEMORIAL DAY. THAT PROMISE HAS BEEN KEPT. THROUGH THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR, WORLD WARS I AND II, KOREA AND VIETNAM, ARLINGTON BECAME A SPACIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL HALLOWED GROUND. 624 ACRES EMBRACING LOVINGLY TENDED GRAVES. EACH MEMORIAL DAY THE THIRD U.S. INFANTRY REGIMENT PLACE AS FLAG NEXT TO EVERY SINGLE HEAD STONE. AT CHRISTMASTIME, OVER 50,000 VOLUNTEERS PLACE WREATHS TO HONOR THE NATION TOGETHER WITH THEIR CLOSEST LOVED ONES SIDE BY SIDE THEY EXROM THE ARMY, NAVY, MARINES, THE AIR FORCE, COAST GUARD AND THE MERCHANT MARINES REGARDLESS OF THEIR FAME OR RANK, ARLINGTON SHELTERS THEM ALL. BUT OVER 4,700 BURIED CAN BE COMMEMORATED ONLY BY THE TUM OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER, FOREVER ANONYMOUS THEY ARE TENDED DAY AND NIGHT BY AN ELITE HONOR GUARD. EVERY PRESIDENT SINCE LINCOLN HAS COME TO ARLINGTON AND TWO A LAID TO REST HERE. WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT AND JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY SALUTED BY THE ETERNAL FLAME. TODAY, OVER TWO DOZEN FUNERALS ARE HELD DAILY. RIFLE SALUTES OVER THE HILLS OF ARLINGTON. SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, THE PENTAGON IS ATTACKED, A STRANGE AND UNEXPECTED NEW WAR BEGINS WITHIN SIGHT OF ARLINGTON. 42 PENTAGON VICTIMS ARE BURIED HERE SO CLOSE TO WHERE THEY DIED. SECTION 60, ARLINGTON'S SOMBER FRONTIER IS THE FINAL RESTING PLACE FOR MANY KILLED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. MORE THAN 1,000 SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN HAVE BEEN BURIED HERE IN THE PAST 13 YEARS. AS IN ALL OF ARLINGTON, EACH HEADSTONE TELL AS STORY. -- TELLS A STORY. IN SECTION 60, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS GATHERED TO REMEMBER THEIR LOVED ONES. PAULA DAVIS IS ONE OF THESE VISITORS WHO COMES HERE EVERY WEEK. HERE TO SHARE HER EXPERIENCE IS THE MULTI-AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS AND STAR OF "LAW AND ORDER" AND "CHICAGO MED" S., EPATHA MERKERSON. >> ALL MY ONLY CHILD, JUSTIN EVER WANTED TO BE WAS A RANGER. BEFORE HE WENT IN THE ARMY HE USED TO WRAP HIMSELF IN PLASTIC AND RUN AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT NIGHT TO SWEAT OFF THE FEW EXTRA POUNDS HE NEEDED TO QUALIFY FOR BASIC. I BOUGHT HIM A RANGER T-SHIRT, AND HE WORE IT EVERYWHERE. I DON'T MIND YOU GOING IN, BUT I WISH IT WASN'T WARTIME, I TOLD HIM. AND HE LAUGHED AND HE SAID, MA, YOU SHOULD HAVE HAD MORE KIDS. HE WAS SO PROUD OF BEING AN INFANTRYMAN, SO EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THE TENTH MOUNTAIN DIVISION GOING TO AFGHANISTAN. AFTER HE GOT THERE IN MARCH, HE E-MAILED ME, MA, THE AFGHAN PEOPLE ARE COOL. I'M GOING BRING YOU A TEAPOT. HE HAD PLANS TO GO TO UCLA AND STUDY ACTING AFTER HE GOT OUT. I'M THE MAN WITH A PLAN, HE SAID. YOU CERTAINLY ARE, I SAID. MY ONLY CHILD, JUST 19 YEARS OLD. JUSTIN WAS ABOUT THREE MONTHS IN AND THINGS SEEMED OK RIGHT BEFORE A MISSION, HE EVEN MANAGED TO CALL A FRIEND TO WISH HIM HAPPY BIRTHDAY. BUT A FEW DAYS LATER THAT KNOCK CAME TO MY DOOR. TWO MEN IN UNIFORM TOLD ME THAT JUSTIN'S UNIT HAD ENCOUNTERED THE ENEMY. THEY CALLED IN A MORTAR ATTACK AND HE WAS KILLED. WHEN HE DEPLOYED, I KNEW HE WAS PUTTING HIS LIFE ON THE LINE. AND I WAS HOPING AND PRAYING NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. WHEN IT DID, WELL, NO ONE WANTS TO HAVE THEIR CHILD TO BURY THEIR CHILD. I JUST GOT NUMB INSIDE. IN DISBELIEF. FOR A LONG TIME I STAYED BUSY. I STAYED DISTRACTED SO I DIDN'T HAVE TO GO TO THAT PLACE IN MY HEART. I STILL VISIT JUSTIN AT ARLINGTON FOUR OR FIVE TIMES A WEEK. BUT EVEN NOW, SOMETIMES THE PAIN IS SO GREAT, I DON'T THINK I CAN BEAR IT. IT'S LIKE A STONE WEIGHING DOWN MY SOUL. HIS VOICE ECHOS THROUGH MY VERY BEING EVERY DAY I'M ALIVE. WHAT HELPS ME COPE IS SEEING THE OTHER FAMILIES. WE OFFER EACH OTHER ENCOURAGEMENT, SUPPORT, STRENGTH. WE HUG EACH OTHER. WE CRY TOGETHER. IT'S GOING TO BE A LIFELONG JOURNEY FOR ALL OF US. WE'RE WITH OUR CHILDREN IN THE SNOW, THE RAIN. OUR LIVES ARE HERE IN THIS GROUND NOW. WE'RE A FAMILY. NONE OF US WANTED TO BE HERE BUT WE ARE. AND WE'RE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF OUR KIDS LIKE THEY SACRIFICE FOR US. I COULD HAVE CRIED AND BEGGED JUSTIN NOT TO GO AND HE PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE BECAUSE HE LOVED HIS MOM. BUT THEN HE WOULD HAVE BEEN MISERABLE AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN MISERABLE BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE KNOWN I WAS MAKING HIM MISERABLE. I KNOW HE DIED DOING WHAT HE LOVED. AND IF HE HAD TO DIE, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN HONORED TO HAVE BEEN LAID TO REST HERE AT ARLINGTON.

ANNOUNCER

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME THE PLATINUM WINNING COUNTRY STAR AND MEMBER OF THE GRAND OLE ONRY, TRACE ADKINS. -- AND MEMBER OF THE GRAND OL ' OPRY, TRACE ADKINS.

APPLAUSE

ANNOUNCER

I NEVER THOUGHT THAT THIS IS WHERE I'D SETTLE DOWN I THOUGHT I'D DIE AN OLD MAN BACK IN MY HOMETOWN THEY GAVE ME THIS PLOT OF LAND ME AND SOME OTHER MEN FOR A JOB WELL DONE THERE'S A BIG WHITE HOUSE SITS ON A HILL JUST UP THE ROAD THE MAN INSIDE HE CRIED THE DAY THEY BROUGHT ME HOME THEY FOLDED UP A FLAG AND TOLD MY MOM AND DAD WE'RE PROUD OF YOUR SON AND I'M PROUD TO BE ON THIS PEACEFUL PIECE OF PROPERTY I'M ON SACRED GROUND AND I'M IN THE BEST OF COMPANY AND I'M THANKFUL FOR THOSE THINGS FOR THE THINGS I'VE DONE AND I CAN REST IN PEACE I'M ONE OF THE CHOSEN ONES I MADE IT TO ARLINGTON I REMEMBER DADDY BROUGHT ME HERE WHEN I WAS 8 WE SEARCHED ALL DAY TO FIND OUT WHERE MY GRANDDAD LAY AND WHEN WE FINALLY FOUND THAT CROSS HE SAID SON THIS IS WHAT IT COST TO KEEP US FREE NOW HERE I AM 1,000 STONES AWAY FROM HIM HE RECOGNIZED ME ON THE FIRST DAY I CAME IN AND IT GAVE ME A CHILL WHEN HE CLICKED HIS HEELS AND SALUTED ME AND I'M PROUD TO BE ON THIS PEACEFUL PIECE OF PROPERTY I'M ON SACRED GROUND AND I'M IN THE BEST OF COMPANY AND I'M THANKFUL FOR THOSE THANKFUL FOR THE THINGS I'VE DONE AND I CAN REST IN PEACE I'M ONE OF THE CHOSEN ONES I MADE IT TO AR LINGTON AND EVERY TIME I HEAR 21 GUNS I KNOW THEY BROUGHT ANOTHER HERO HOME TO US AND WE'RE THANKFUL FOR THOSE THANKFUL FOR THE THINGS WE'VE DONE AND WE CAN REST IN PEACE CAUSE WE ARE THE CHOSEN ONES WE MADE IT TO ARLINGTON YEAH DUST TO DUST DON'T CRY FOR US CAUSE WE MADE IT TO ARLINGTON >> OVER 4 MILLION PEOPLE VISIT ARLINGTON EACH YEAR, MANY TO HONOR VETERANS OF VIETNAM. BETWEEN 1965 AND 1975, OVER THREE MILLION SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN SERVED. OVER 1.7 MILLION OF THEM WERE DRAFTED, SENT TO A STRANGE FOREIGN LAND TO FIGHT IN A WAR UNLIKE ANY WE HAD EVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE. IT WAS A WAR WITH NO BATTLEFRONT AND FOR ALMOST A DECADE THESE BRAVE AMERICANS FOUGHT AN ELUSIVE ENEMY ACROSS THE RICE PADDIES AND IN THE JUNGLES OF VIETNAM. IN THIS SAVAGE GUERILLA WARFARE, OUR TROOPS SUFFERED CRIPPLING WOUNDS AND TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES THAT WOULD HAUNT THEM FOR A LIFETIME. BUDDIES KILLED COMRADES MAIMED AGENT ORANGE AND NIGHTMARISH MEMORIES THAT LINGER.

GUN FIRE

ANNOUNCER

VIETNAM VETERANS CONTINUE TO PAY A HIGH PRICE FOR THEIR VALIANT MILITARY SERVICE SOME FIFTY -- 50 YEARS AGO. IT WAS 1966 WHEN 23-YEAR-OLD JACK FARLEY HAD JUST COMPLETED HIS MASTERS DEGREE AND WAS DRAFTED BY THE ARMY. TWO YEARS LATER, APRIL, 1968, FIRST LIEUTENANT FARLEY SHIPPED OUT TO VIETNAM. HERE TO SHARE JACK'S EXPERIENCES IS MY FRIEND THE GIFTED ACTOR GARY SINISE. >> I WAS WITH THE 25TH INFANTRY DIVISION, THE WOLVE HOUNDS. WE WERE THE WILD ONES ALWAYS ON THE FRONT LINES. OUR MISSION WAS SEARCH AND DESTROY PATROLS, CRISSCROSSING RICE PATTIES DEFENDING FROM THEIR AMBUSHES AT NIGHT. ONE NIGHT SOON AFTER I ARRIVED THEY OVERRUN OUR CAMP. I'M ON THE RADIO FRANTIC CALLING IN ARTILLERY. THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED I'M CALLING IN FIRE ON MYSELF AND MY MEN AS WELL AS THE ENEMY. I'M TERRIFIED. A PIECE OF SHRAPNEL HITS MY HAND BUT I KEEP ON SHOOTING. THREE OF MY MEN DIED THAT NIGHT. NOT LONG AFTER I'M JOKING AROUND WITH SOME BUDDY LEAVING ON A RIVER PATROL BEFORE THEY GET 200 YARDS AWAY, A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE HITS THEIR GAS TANK. THE BOAT EXPLODES AND I'M PULLING THEIR SODEN CHARRED BODIES OUT OF THE WATER. THE MOST GRUESOME DAY OF MY LIFE AND I'M ONLY A FEW MONTHS IN. WELCOME TO VIETNAM. THE HORROR AND LOSS DOESN'T STOP. A FEW MONTHS LATER, I'M AT A SUPPORT BASE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE JUNGLE WHEN THE VIET CONG HIT US WITH MORTAR FIRE. ONE ROUND EXPLODES NEXT TO ME, PIECES OF SHRAPNEL STABBING MY BOD YIMENT I MANAGE TO CRAWL TO SOME COVER WHEN A MEDIC APPEARS AND ASKS ME IF I'M OK. I THINK ABOUT WHAT JOHN WAYNE SAYS, AND I ANSWER, DOC, GO LOOK AFTER THE OTHER MEN. I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW BAD OFF I WAS. IT TOOK FIVE PINTS OF BLOOD TO GET MY PULSE GOING AGAIN. AFTER I WAS FLOWN TO TOKYO IN A FULL BODY CAST, THE GANGRENE SET IN. 104-PLUS FEVER. A PRIEST CAME IN TO GIVE ME LAST RITES. I TOLD HIM TO GET OUT. I WASN'T READY TO DIE. WHEN I GOT OUT OF SURGERY, I FIND MY RIGHT LEG HAD BEEN AMPUTATED ABOVE THE KNEE. THAT'S WHEN REALITY HIT. AND THE TEARS FINALLY CAME. I GOT FOUR BRONZE STARS. I WAS IN SO MANY BATTLES, I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER WHAT TWO OF THEM WERE FOR AND TWO PURPLE HEARTS FOR MY TIME IN VIETNAM. IT WAS AN HONOR, BUT THEY DIDN'T HELP MUCH DURING THE 14 MONTHS I WAS AT WALTER REED HOSPITAL. ALMOST A YEAR JUST TO GET MY STUMP READY FOR A PROSTHESIS, MULTIPLE PAINFUL SKIN GRAFTS, ENDLESS HOURS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY. BUT THE WORST, THE VERY WORST FOR AN AMPUTEE IS WHEN YOU REALIZE THAT EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, YOU WILL HAVE TO PUT ON A PROSTHESIS AND MINE NEVER SEEMS TO FIT. I WAS IN DESPAIR. I FOUND MYSELF MOURNING FOR MY LOST LEG. NO MORE SPORTS, NO MORE RUNNING, EVER. I WAS CAPTAIN OF MY HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE LACROSSE TEAM FOR GOODNESS SAKE. I WAS FEELING SORRY FOR MYSELF AND I'M ANGRY. ANGRY. I'M SO ANGRY, I ALMOST DON'T HEAR ANOTHER VOICE INSIDE ME, MAYBE GOD'S VOICE AND IT SAYS, "FARLEY, YOU NEVER COULD RUN ANYWAY." IT'S TRUE. I HAD TO LAUGH. I NEVER WAS A GREAT RUNNER. SO RIGHT THEN AND THERE, THE DARK CLOUD LIFTED AND I KNEW I'D BE OK. WHEN I LOST MY LEG, I LOST WHO I WAS. I HAD TO FIND A NEW MEANING IN ORDER TO GO ON. IT WAS TIME FOR DO SOMETHING WITH MY LIFE. I WENT TO LAW SCHOOL. I BECAME A IT WILL GATOR WITH THE DIDN'TER DEPARTMENT -- I BECAME A LITIGATOR WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. I MARRIED A WONDERFUL GAL AND WE HAD FOUR KIDS. BUT I STILL COULDN'T LET GO OF VIETNAM. IT HAUNTED ME. NOBODY WANTED TO KNOW HOW WE FOUGHT AND BLED FOR THIS COUNTRY. AND THAT HURT DEEPER THAN MY WOUNDS. NOBODY WANTED TO LISTEN. AND THEN A FRIEND DID LISTEN TO ME AND HE ENCOURAGED ME TO TRY SKIING. WHAT A REVELATION. I COULD SKI ON ONE LEG. IT MIGHT SEEM A LITTLE THING, BUT FOR ME, IT MEANT THE WORLD. FIVE YEARS LATER, I START TEACHING OTHER AMPUTEE VETS TO SKI. AND WHEN ONE OF THEM MASTER AS SLOPE, IT'S A TRIUMPH FOR BOTH OF US. I'VE REALIZED THAT HELPING DISABLED VETERANS IS MY CALLING. I BECOME THE FIRST JUDGE IN FEDERAL COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS. THEIR STORIES OF STRUGGLE LEAD ME BACK TO WALTER REED HOSPITAL. FOR 13 YEARS NOW, I'VE WALKED THOSE HALLWAYS, SHARING THE PAIN OF A NEW GENERATION OF WOUNDED SOLDIERS FROM IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. I REMEMBER ONE YOUNG MAN TRYING TO COPE WITH HIS NEWLY AMPUTATED LEG AND ARM. I LISTENED TO HIM EXPRESS HIS FEAR AND ANGER. BUT EVENTUALLY HE STARTS TALKING ABOUT ACCEPTING A NEW NORMAL. AND HOW HE CAN CHOOSE WHAT TO MAKE OF THE REST OF HIS LIFE. LISTENING TO HIM, I RELIVE MY OWN JOURNEY FROM PAIN TO ACCEPTANCE. I PRAY AT THE BEDSIDE OF A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WOMAN VETERAN WHOSE LEG WAS AMPUTATED ABOVE THE KNEE AND WHOSE ARM WAS HANGING BY A THREAD, SO HEAVILY SEDATED SHE COULDN'T SPEAK. WHEN I FINALLY LEAVE HER, I CAN ONLY SIT IN A VACANT OFFICE AND WEEP. WE CAN'T TELL OUR WOUNDED VETERANS HOW TO HEAL. ALL WE CAN DO IS LISTEN. THEY WILL FIND THEIR OWN WAY BECAUSE OF WHO THEY ARE, BRAVE, VALIANT SOLDIERS WHO HAVE FACED DOWN DEATH. WHAT WE CAN DO IS LISTEN, VALIDATE, PROVIDE POSSIBILITIES, AND SIMPLY BE THERE. THEY WILL SOW THEIR OWN SEEDS OF HOPE. AND THEN TOGETHER, WITH SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING, WE WILL NOURISH THAT HOPE INTO REALITY.

APPLAUSE

ANNOUNCER

NOIPS AND NOW IN TRIBUTE TO ALL OF OUR VIETNAM VETS, THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TURNED DIRECTION OF MAESTRO JACK EVERLY WILL PERFORM "HONOR" COMPOSED BY HANS ZIMMER. PLEASE STAND NOW IF YOU SERVED IN VIETNAM AND REMAIN STANDING SO THAT WE MAY HONOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE.

APPLAUSE

ANNOUNCER

APPLAUSE

ANNOUNCER

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME GENERAL COLIN POWELL.

APPLAUSE

GENERAL COLIN POWELL

GOOD EVENING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I'M BOTH HUMBLE AND PROUD TO BE WITH YOU TONIGHT AS WE PARTICIPATE IN THIS EXTRAORDINARY RECOGNITION OF OUR MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN. THE STORIES WE ARE HEARING TONIGHT REFLECT THE BRAVERY AND SACRIFICE AND THE VAST CHALLENGES THEY AND THEIR FAMILIES FACE IN THE AFTERMATH OF WAR. PAULA DAVIS IS EVER PARENT WHO HAS LAST CHILD TO WAR AND MUST STRUGGLE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH THAT DEVASTATING LOSS. JACK FARLEY TELLS US HOW MANY IN THE NATION TURNED THEIR BACKS ON OUR RETURNING VIETNAM VETERANS AND THE TRAGEDY OF THAT WAR. YES, TODAY'S TROOPS RETURN TO A WELCOMING COUNTRY GRATEFUL FOR THEIR SERVICE, BUT THEY TOO STILL SUFFER THE WOUNDS OF WAR, PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY AND THERE IS SO MUCH MORE WE MUST DO TO HELP THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES. SCRIPTURE COUNSELS US TO HEAL THE BROKEN HEARTED, BRING JOY AND GLADNESS INSTEAD OF GRIEF AND SONG OF PRAISE INSTEAD OF SORROW. JUST AS EVERY FINGERPRINT DIFFERENT, SO IS EVERY WAR STORY. BUT THERE'S A COME MON DENOMINATOR AMONG THOSE WHO SERVE IN TIME OF WAR, AND THAT'S THE DEEP-SEATED WOUNDS OFTEN INVISIBLE. THE SCARS OF WAR ARE REAL. THEY'RE DEVASTATING AND IT'S OFTEN HARD TO SEE A WAY OUT. THEY ARE PART OF THE VETERAN'S LIFE FOREVER WOVEN INTO THE FABRIC OF WHO THEY ARE. REACHING OUT TO OUR BROTHER AND SISTER VETERANS, ENCOURAGING THEM TO TALK ABOUT THESE WOUNDS IS A CRITICAL STEP IN THEIR HEALING PROCESS. THE MORE WE LISTEN TO THEIR STORIES AND ALLOW THEM TO GRIEVE OVER WHAT IS LOST, THE MORE THEY CAN LEARN TO ACCEPT AND HEAL THEIR OWN WOUNDS. ALL VETERANS NEED TO KNOW THAT HELP IS THERE. THERE ARE PLACES YOU CAN GO. THERE ARE PEOPLE, DEDICATED DOCTOR, CAREGIVERS, FRIENDS, SUPPORTERINGS -- SUPPORTERS AND LOVED ONES WHO WANT YOU TO OVERCOME YOUR INJURIES AND REACH YOUR POE -- POTENTIAL. AS WE STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR MILITARY FAMILIES AND GET INVOLVED WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP HEAL INJURIES TO THE BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT, THE MORE WE HEAL AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS A NATION. SO TONIGHT, TO ALL OUR NATION'S VETERANS AND TO ALL OF OUR NATION'S FALLEN AND THEIR FAMILY, WE THANK YOU. NOW PLEASE EVERYONE STAND IF YOU CAN, AND STAND FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T. LET'S GIVE OUR NATION'S VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES THE TRIBUTE THAT THEY SO RICHLY DESERVE. THANK YOU.

APPLAUSE

JOE

WE ALL REMEMBER THE 1960'S AS A TIME OF GREAT MUSIC. AND NO ONE EVOKES THE CREATIVE ENERGY AND GOOD VIBES OF THAT ERA MORE THAN THE GROUP WE'RE ABOUT TO HEAR. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME ONE OF THE WORLD'S BEST-SELLING BANDS CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF GOOD VIBRATIONS AND PET SOUNDS, THE BEACH BOYS.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

JOE

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT'S A GREAT PLEASURE TO BE HERE NOT THE LEAST OF ALL BECAUSE OF THIS WRISTBAND GIVEN TO ME BY A STREET NAN VET SO LONG AGO. HE TOLD ME IT HELPED HE AND HIS PALS. HE SAID MIKE, IT WAS YOUR MUSIC THAT GOT US THROUGH THEIR BAD TIMES. BUT NOT ONLY DID IT MEAN A LOT TO THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING, INDEPENDENT MEANT A LOT TO THEIR CHILDREN, THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR GIRLFRIEND, YOU KNOW, ALL GENERATIONS WHO WERE STRUGGLING BECAUSE OF THAT DIVERSITY -- I MEAN, THAT DIFFICULTY THEY EXPERIENCED. AND WHAT AN HONOR TO BE PLAYING FOR ALL OF YOU TONIGHT. LET'S HAVE SOME GOOD VIBRATION AND VIETNAM VETS, THIS IS FOR YOU. I I LOVE THE COLORFUL CLOTHES SHE WEARS AND THE WAY THE SUNLIGHT PLAYS UPON HER HAIR I HEAR THE SOUND OF THE GENTLE WORD ON THE WIND THAT LIFTS HER PERFUME THROUGH THE AIR I'M PICKING UP GOOD VIE -- VIBRATIONS SHE'S GIVING ME EXCITATIONS I'M PICKING UP GOOD VIBRATION. SHE'S GIVING ME EXCITATIONS. I'M PICK UP GOOD VIBRATIONS SHE'S GIVING ME EXYTATIONS I'M PICKING UP GOOD VIBRATIONS SHE'S GIVING ME EXYTATIONS. CLOSE MY EYES SHE'S SOMEHOW CLOSER NOW SOFTLY SMILE, I KNOW SHE MUST BE KIND WHEN I LOOK IN HER EYES SHE GOES WITH ME TO A BLOSSOM WORLD I'M PICKING UP GOOD VIBRATIONS SHE'S GIVING ME EXCITATIONS I'M PICKING UP GOOD VIBRATIONS SHE'S GIVING ME EXCITATIONS I'M PICK UP GOOD VIBRATIONS SHE'S GIVING ME EXCITATIONS I'M PICKING UP GOOD VIBRATIONS I DON'T KNOW WHERE BUT SHE SENDS ME THERE OH MIMI WHAT ELATION OH MY MY WHAT ELATION GOTTA KEEP THOSE LOVIN' VIBRATIONS HAPPENING WITH HER GOT THAT KEEP THOSE LOVIN' VIBRATIONS AHAPPENIN' WITH HER I'M PICKING UP GOOD VIBRATIONS SHE'S GIVING ME EXCITATIONS I'M PICKING UP GOOD VIBRATIONS SHE'S GIVING ME EXCITATIONS >> THANK YOU.

APPLAUSE

JOE

WELL EAST COAST GIRLS ARE HIP I REALLY DIG THOSE STYLES THEY WEAR AND THE SOUTHERN GIRLS WITH THE WAY THEY TALK THEY KNOCK ME OUT WHEN I'M DOWN THERE THE MIDWEST FARMER'S DAUGHTERS REALLY MAKE YOU FEEL ALL RIGHT AND THE NORTHERN GIRLS WITH THE WAY THEY KISS THEY KEEP THEIR BOYFRIENDS WARM AT NIGHT I WISH THEY ALL COULD BE CALIFORNIA GIRLS I WISH THEY ALL COULD BE CALIFORNIA I WISH THEY ALL COULD BE CALIFORNIA GIRLS WE COME ON THE SLOOP JOHN B. MY GRANDFATHER AND ME AROUND NASSAU TOWN WE DID ROAM DRINKING ALL NIGHT GOT INTO A FIGHT WELL I FEEL SO BROKE UP I WANT TO GO HOME SO HOIST UP THE JOHN B.'S SAIL SEE HOW THE MAINSAIL SETS CALL FOR THE CAPTAIN ASHORE LET ME GO HOME LET ME GO HOME I WANNA GO HOME LET ME GO HOME HOIST UP THE JOHN B.'S SAIL I WANT TO GO HOME YEAH, YEAH THIS IS THE WORST TRIP I'VE EVER BEEN ON WOULDN'T IT BE NICE IF WE WERE OLDER THEN WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO WAIT SO LONG AND WOULDN'T IT BE NICE TO LIVE TOGETHER IN THE KIND OF WORLD WHERE WE BELONG YOU KNOW IT'S GONNA MAKE IT THAT MUCH BETTER WHEN CAN SAY GOOD NIGHT AND STAY TOGETHER OH WOULDN'T IT BE NICE MAYBE IF WE THINK AND WISH AND HOPE AND PRAY IT MIGHT COME TRUE BABY THEN THERE WOULD BEEN A SINGLE THING WE COULDN'T DO WE COULD BE MARRIED WE COULD BE MARRIED AND THEN WE'D BE HAPPY AND THEN WE'D BE HAPPY OH WOULDN'T IT BE NICE IF EVERYBODY HAD AN OCEAN ACROSS THE U.S.A. THEN EVERYBODY' D BE SURFIN' LIKE CALIFORNIA YOU'D SEEM 'EM WEARING THEIR BAGIES HUARACHI SANDALS TOO AND THE BUSHY BUSHY BLONDE HAIRDO SUR FIN U.S.A. YOU'D CATCH 'EM SURFIN AT DEL MAR VENTURA COUNTY LINE SANTA CRUZ AND TRESTLE AUSTRALIA'S NARRABEEN ALL OVER MANHATTAN AND DOWN DOHENY WAY EVERYBODY'S GONE SURFIN SURFIN U.S.A. WE'LL ALL BE PLANNING THAT ROUTE WE'RE GONNA TAKE REAL SOON WE'RE WAXING DOWN OUR SURFBOARDS WE CAN'T WAIT FOR JUNE WE'LL ALL BE GONE FOR THE SUMMER WE'RE ON SURFARI TO STAY YOU TELL THE TEACHER WE'RE SURFIN SURFIN U.S.A. HAGGERTIES AND SWAMIES PACIFIC PALISADES SAN ONOFRE AND SUNSET REDONDO BEACH L.A. ALL OVER LA JOLLA AT WA'IMEA BAY EVERY EVERY'S GONE SURFIN SURFIN U.S.A. EVERYBODY'S GONE SURFIN SURFIN U.S.A. EVERYBODY'S GONE SURFIN SURFIN U.S.A. EVERYBODY'S GONE SURFIN SURFIN U.S.A.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

GARY

WOW! HOW ABOUT THOSE BEACH BOYS? THANK YOU, GUYS, FOR ALL THOSE MEMORIES. THE 1960'S WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN THE SAME WITHOUT YOUR MUSIC. BEFORE D-DAY AND THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, BEFORE THE TIED TURNED AGAINST NAZI GERMANY, AND THE OUTCOME OF WORLD WAR II WAS CLEAR, THERE WAS ANZIO. IN THE FALL OF 1943, BRITISH AND AMERICAN FORCES WERE ENSCONCED IN SOUTHERN ITALY, HOPING TO MAKE A PUSH NORTH TO LIBERATE ITALY FROM THE FASCISTS. THE PORT CITY OF ANZIO IS JUST 30 MILES SOUTH OF ROME. IN JANUARY OF 1944, IN WHAT BECAME KNOWN AS OPERATION SHINGLE, A HUGE FLEET OF AMERICAN FORCES LEFT NORTH AFRICA HEADING FOR THE CRITICAL BEACHHEAD. AT THE FIRST THE CAMPAIGN APPEARS TO BE A SPECTACULAR SUCCESS. ONE OF THE LARGEST AMPHIBIOUS LANDINGS IN MILITARY HISTORY. 62,000 MEN AND 4,800 VEHICLES CLAIM A BEACHHEAD. AS THE TROOPS START TO BATTLE THEIR WAY NORTH, THE GERMANS RESPOND SWIFTLY AND WITH DEVASTATING FORCE. GIANT RAILWAY GUNS RAIN DOWN ON THE FROOPS THE HILLS ABOVE. OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, BREAKOUT AFTER BREAKOUT FAILED, DUE TO HARSH TERREAN AND THE RELENTLESS FIREPOWER OF THE GERMAN LUFTWAFFE AND ARTILLERY. THE CASUALTIES MOUNT. AMONG THOSE LANDING AT ANZIO IS A HUMBLE 20-YEAR-OLD FARMER FROM PENNSYLVANIA. BUT ON THIS DAY, HE IS A VALIANT SOLDIER IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY. HERE TO SHARE THE EXPERIENCES OF ALTON W. KNAPPENBERGER IS MY FRIEND AND ACCLAIMED ACTOR JOE MANTEGNA. >> I DIDN'T HAVE A GOOD FEELING ABOUT IT. SURE ENOUGH, AFTER THE QUIET LANDING, ATTACKS STARTED COMING RIGHT AND LEFT AND WE WERE ORDERED TO MOVE OUT ACROSS THE BEACH. MY GOOD BUDDY, MOONEY WAS ABOUT 10 FEET TO MY LEFT AND HE YELLS OUT, "HEY, KNAPPS, WHY ARE YOU SHAKING? IT'S NOT THAT COLD" AND I YELL BACK "BECAUSE THEY'RE TRYING TO KILL US, MOONEY, AND I'M SCARED. WHEN A SHELL HITS HIM ON THE THROAT AND RIPS OFF HIS HEAD. THEN THE GERMANS START PICK US OFF ONE BY ONE AND THE WHOLE REGIMENT RIGHT DOWN THE LINE, UNTIL THE SNOW TURNS RED WITH BLOOD. BY THE NEXT MORNING THE FEW OF US LEFT ARE PINNED DOWN SUCKING MUD IN A FIELD. WE'RE JUST 30 MILES SOUTH OF ROME BUT I MIGHT -- IT MIGHT AS WELL BE 1,000. I CLAW MY WAY OVER THE CORPSES OF ONE OF THE MEN AND IN MY OUTFIT, GRAB HIS BROWNING AUTOMATIC RIFLE AND START SHOOTING. I CAN'T SEE THE ENEMY. I'M FRIGHTENED AND OUT OF MY MIND ALONE AND EXPOSED. I TELL MYSELF, THIS IS CRAZY, KNAPPIE, YOU STAY HERE, YOU'RE A DEAD MAN. SO I GET UP. I RUN TOWARDS A HILL HELTER-SKELTER LIKE, DODGING BULLETS THE WHOLE TIME PING, PING, PING! I THROW MYSELF DOWN THE FROSEEN MUCK AND THE TRAIN BROWNING ON A MACHINE GUN NEST. I WAS A PRETTY GOOD SHARP SHOOTER IN PENNSYLVANIA SO A FEW SHORT BURSTS AND THOSE GUNNERS WERE DEAD. OVER MY LEFT TWO GERMANS LOB POTATO-MASHER GRENADES. I THOUGHT I WAS A GONER. BUT THEY FALL SHORT AND I TAKE AIM STEADY THERE, KNAPPIE. ONE SHOTS KILL THEM BOTH. IT'S LIKE THAT FOR HOURS. THE GERMANES ARE PEPPERING THE GROUND WITH BULLETS AND I CAN'T RELOAD FAST ENOUGH. WHEN I RUN OUT OF AMMUNITION, I PULL MORE BROWNING MAGAZINES OFF A DEAD COMRADE IN TIME TO TAKE OUT A SECOND MACHINE GUN NEST. I JUST KEEP SHOOTING ON MY STA MOCK AND MY KNEELS REPEALING ASSAULT WITH EVERY WEAPON AND I CAN'T GET MY HANDS. FINALLY SIX MEN FROM MY UNIT CREEP UP FIRING THEIR M-1 RIFLES ALONGSIDE ME. WE'RE EXHAUST AND SHIVERING WITH THE COLD. BUT AT LEAST I'M NOT ALONE ANYMORE. OUT OF 200 MEN, WE WERE THE ONLY ONES LEFT MAKING A STAND AGAINST WHO KNOWS HOW MANY ENEMY. WHEN WE RUN OUT OF AMMUNITION WE SLIP OUT UNDER THE DARK NIGHT UNSURE OF WHERE WE ARE OR WHAT LIES AHEAD. LATER THAT DAY, WE JOINED WITH ANOTHER COMPANY. GO BACK AND FIND YOUR OWN REGIMENT, THE COMPANY COMMANDER SAYS. THERE IS NO REGIMENT WE TELL THEM. WE'RE ALL THAT'S LEFT. WHEN WHEN IT WAS OVER, THEY TOLD ME I'D KILLED 60 GERMANS ON THAT HILL. I WAS NUMB. I WAS JUST TRYING TO SURVIVE. ALL I REALLY CARED ABOUT WAS MY DEAD BUDDIES. GENERAL LUCAS COMMANDER OF THE ENTIRE OPERATION CALLED ME, A ONE MAN, ARMY, A BLASTED ONE MAN ARMY. I DIDN'T WENT TO BE SINGLED OUT. I WAS JUST DOING MY JOB. ON JUNE 8, 1944, ALTON KNAPPENBERGER RECEIVED THE MEDAL OF HONOR FROM GENERAL MARK CLARK, COMMANDER OF THE 5TH ARMY FOR CON PICK LOUSE GALLANTRY AND ENTREE PEDESTRIANITY AT THE RISK OF HIS LIFE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY IN ACTION. HE RETURNED TO RURAL PENNSYLVANIA WHERE HE MARRIED AND HAD CHILDREN AND PEACEFULLY LIVED OUT HIS LIFE DYING AT THE AGE OF 84. HE WAS LAID TO REST AT ARLINGTON CEMETERY ON JULY 31ST, 2008, SIX DECADES AFTER HIS DEEDS EARNED HIM THE HIGHEST MILITARY ON NOR. IN LATE MAY, THE ALLIES FINALLY SUCCEEDED IN BREAKING THROUGH THE GERMAN LINES AND ADVANCED NORTH AND LIBERATING ROME ON JUNE 4, BUT NOT WITHOUT DISASTROUS LOSSESFUL DURING THE FOUR MONTHS OF THE ANZIO CAMPAIGN, THE ALLIES SUFFERED OVER 29,000 CASUALTIES, 18,000 WOUNDED AND 4,400 KILLED. THE ANZIO BEACHHEAD SHOULD ENDURE IN OUR MEMORIES AS A SYMBOL OF HEROIC TENACITY.

APPLAUSE

GARY

>> TONIGHT, WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE WITH US SOME OF THE COURAGEOUS MEN AND WOMEN WHO FOUGHT AT ANZIO. LET US NOW THANK THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

GARY

FOR ALL WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN WORLD WAR II AND FOR ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE DIED IN AMERICA'S WARS, WE WILL NOW PLAY TAPS.

PLAYING TAPS

GARY

THIS NEXT BEAUTIFUL SONG TESTIFIES TO A HIGHER POWER BUT DOES NOT IGNORE THAT ON EARTH WE STILL LAMENT, WE FACE TOLLMENT AND PAIN. YET, WE HAVE A PEACEFUL HOPEFILLED SONG OF FAITH, SONGS LIKE THIS SUSTAIN US IN DIFFICULT TIMES AND GIVE VOICE TO OUR PRAISE. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE WORLD WE NOUNED CLASSICAL SUPERSTAR, RENEE FLEMING.

APPLAUSE

GARY

MY LIFE GOES ON IN ENDLESS SONG ABOVE THE EARTH'S LAMB MEN -- LAMB MENTATIONS I HEAR THE SWEET THOUGH FAR-OFF HYMN THE HAILS A NEW CREATION THROUGH ALL THE THANK YOU MULL AND ALL THE STRIFE I HEAR ITS MUSIC RINGING IT SOUNDS AN ECHO IN MY SOUL HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING WHAT THOUGH THE TEMPEST LOUDLY ROARS I HEAR THE TRUTH IT SHIELDS ME WHAT THOUGH THE DARKNESS ROUND ME CLOSE SONGS IN THE NIGHT WILL HEAL ME NO STORM CAN SHAKE MY INMOST CALM WHILE TO THAT ROCK I'M CLINGING SINCE LOVE RULES OVER HEAVEN AND EARTH HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING WHEN TYRANTS TREMBLE IN FEAR AN HEAR THEIR DEATH KNELL RINGING WHEN FRIENDS REJOICE BOTH FAR AND NEAR HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING IN PRISON CELL AND DUNGEON VIAL OUR THOUGHTS TO THEM ARE WINGING HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING I LIFT MY EYES THE CLOUD GROWS THIN I SEE THE BLUE ABOVE IT AND DAY BY DAY THIS PATHWAY SMOOTHS SINCE FIRST I LEARNED TO LOVE IT NO STORM CAN SHAKE MY INMOST CALM WHILE TO THAT ROCK I'M CLINGING SINCE LOVE RULES OVER HEAVEN AND EARTH HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

JOE

TONIGHT HAS BEEN A SPECIAL NIGHT HONORING OUR TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES. BUT YEAR ROUND THERE'S ALSO SUPPORT FOR ANYONE WHO NEEDS IT. IF YOU NEED HELP OR WANT TO GIVE HELP, A GOOD PLACE TO START IS RIGHT ON OUR WEBSITE AT PBS.ORG/MEMORIALCONCERT.

GARY

IN OUR SECTION "HELP MILITARY FAMILIES," YOU'LL FIND ORGANIZATIONS THAT WELCOME VOLUNTEERS TO REACH OUT AND HELP RETURNING VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES, OR IF YOU OR YOUR FAMILY NEED SUPPORT, THERE ARE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU TAKE THE FIRST STEP. IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW EXPERIENCE THE SYMPTOMS OF EMOTIONAL STRESS INCLUDING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE, IMMEDIATE HELP IS AVAILABLE ON THE NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN AND PRESS ONE. WE WILL NOW LIKE TO SALUTE EVERY MAN AND WOMAN IN OUR NATIONAL GUARD SERVICES BEGINNING WITH THE NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU.

APPLAUSE

GARY

AS THE ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS PERFORM THE ARMED FORCES MEDLEY, WE INVITE YOU THOSE OF YOU IN THE AUDIENCE WHO HAVE SERVED OR THOSE WHO ARE CURRENTLY SERVING TO PLEASE STAND AND JOIN IN AS YOUR SONG IS PRESENTED. UNITED STATES COAST GUARD! [SEMPER PARATUS] >> UNITED STATES AIR FORCE!

INTO THE WILD BLUE YONDER

GARY

>> UNITED STATES NAVY!

ANCHORS AWEIGH

GARY

>> UNITED STATES MARINES!

MARINES HYMN

GARY

>> UNITED STATES ARMY!

ARMY GOES ROLLING ALONG

GARY

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

GARY

I AM PRIVILEGED TO INTRODUCE THE VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, GENERAL PAUL J. SELVA.

APPLAUSE

GARY

AND I AM HONORED TO INTRODUCE THE DISTINGUISHED CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, GENERAL JOSEPH F. DUNFORD JR.

APPLAUSE

GARY

>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR PAUSING TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE TO SECURE THE SECURITY AND FREEDOM OF OUR GREAT NATION. ON THIS, OUR NATION'S 148TH MEMORIAL DAY, WE HONOR THE OVER 1 MILLION MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE FALLEN IN BATTLE OR REMAIN MISSING. WE ALSO REMEMBER THAT COURAGE AND COMMITMENT TO SERVE. WE REMEMBER HOW THEY LIVED. AND WE REMEMBER HOW MUCH WE MISS THEM. WE ALSO REMEMBER THE EXTRAORDINARY SACRIFICE OF THE MOMS, DADS, SPOUSES, CHILDREN, BROTHERS, SISTERS, AND FRIENDS LEFT BEHIND. WE REMEMBER THE HOPES AND DREAMS NEVER REALIZED. AND WE REMEMBER THAT FOR THE FAMILIES OF THE FALLEN, EVERY DAY IS MEMORIAL DAY. MOST OF ALL, ON THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, WE REMEMBER TO NEVER FORGET. AS WE PAUSE TO REMEMBER, THOSE OF US STILL IN UNIFORM ALSO RECOMMIT TO UPHOLD THE PROUD LEGACY FORGED BY THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US. WE REDEDICATE OURSELVES TO GIVE MEANING TO THEIR SACRIFICE BY CONTINUING TO DEFEND OUR VALUES AND WAY OF LIFE. AS WE GATHER HERE TONIGHT, THOUSANDS OF MEN AND WOMEN ARE DEPLOYED ACROSS THE GLOBE DOING JUST THAT. I'D ASK YOU TO KEEP THEM IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AS WELL. ON BEHALF OF THE JOINT CHIEFS AND THE SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIRMEN, MARINES AND COAST GUARDSMEN, WE ARE PRIVILEGED TO LEAD, THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR REMEMBERING.

APPLAUSE

JOE

THANK YOU GENERAL DUNFORD FOR THOSE INSPIRING WORDS. AND NOW PLEASE WELCOME TONY WINNER AND STAR OF "LES MISERABLES," BROADWAY'S "FINDING NEVERLAND" ALFIE BOE. >> THIS SONG IS FOR ALL THOSE WORLDWIDE WHO HAVE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN THE PRIME OF THEIR YEARS. WE WILL ALWAYS CHERISH YOU. YOU REMAIN IN OUR HEARTS AND OUR MEMORY, "FOREVER YOUNG." MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU ALWAYS MAY YOUR WISHES ALL COME TRUE MAY YOU ALWAYS DO FOR OTHERS LET OTHERS DO FOR YOU MAY YOU BUILD A LADDER TO THE STARS CLIMB ON EVERY RUNG MAY YOU STAY FOREVER YOUNG FOREVER YOUNG FOREVER YOUNG MAY YOU STAY FOREVER YOUNG MAY YOU GROW UP TO BE RIGHTEOUS MAY YOU GROW UP TO BE TRUE MAY YOU ALWAYS KNOW THE TRUTH AND SEE THE LIGHTS SURROUNDING YOU MAY YOU ALWAYS BE COURAGEOUS STAND UPRIGHT AND BE STRONG MAY YOU STAY FOREVER YOUNG FOREVER YOUNG FOREVER YOUNG MAY YOU STAY FOREVER YOUNG MAY YOUR HANDS ALWAYS BE BUSY MAY YOUR FEET ALWAYS BE SWIFT MAY YOU HAVE A STRONG FOUNDATION WHEN THE WINDS OF CHANGES SHIFT MAY YOUR HEART ALWAYS BE JOYFUL MAY YOUR SONG ALWAYS BE SUNG MAY YOU STAY FOREVER YOUNG FOREVER YOUNG FOREVER YOUNG MAY YOU STAY FOREVER YOUNG FOREVER YOUNG FOREVER YOUNG MAY YOU STAY FOREVER YOUNG

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

GARY

AS WE SAY GOODNIGHT, WE SEND A PERSONAL MESSAGE TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY YET ARE SUFFERING IN BODY, MIND OR SPIRIT, WE ARE HERE FOR YOU. THE TRAGEDY THAT IS WAR THAT LAST AS LIFETIME. YET THERE ARE PLACES THAT YOU CAN GO WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND. YOU DON'T HAVE TO SUFFER IN SILENCE. DON'T BE AFRAID TO REACH OUT.

JOE

THANK YOU FOR JOININGS FOR OUR MEMORIAL SERVICE. WE WILL BE REPEATING THE CONCERT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE END OF THIS PROGRAM ON MOST PBS STATIONS.

GARY

PLEASE JOIN OUR CAST AND CHORUS IN SINGING "GOD BLESS AMERICA". GOD BLESS AMERICA LAND THAT I LOVE STAND BESIDE HER AND GUIDE HER THROUGH THE NIGHT WITH A LIGHT FROM ABOVE FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE PRAIRIES TO THE OCEANS WHITE WITH FOAM GOD BLESS AMERICA MY HOME SWEET HOME GOD BLESS AMERICA MY HOME SWEET HOME GOD BLESS AMERICA LAND THAT I LOVE STAND BESIDE HER AND GUIDE HER THROUGH THE NIGHT WITH A LIGHT FROM ABOVE FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE PRAIRIES TO THE OCEANS WHITE WITH FOAM GOD BLESS AMERICA MY HOME SWEET HOME GOD BLESS AMERICA MY HOME SWEET HOME FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE PRAIRIES TO THE OCEANS WHITE WITH FOAM GOD BLESS AMERICA MY HOME SWEET HOME GOD BLESS AMERICA MY HOME SWEET HOME MY HOME SWEET HOME

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

GARY

>> TO CONTRIBUTE A REMEMBRANCE OF A LOVED ONE OR A FRIEND WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY OR TO FIND WAYS TO HELP MILITARY MEMBERS OR THEIR FAMILIES IN NEED PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE ON PBS.ORG /MEMORIALDAY CONCERT. >> FROM WORLD WAR TO WAR ON TERROR, WE HONOR ALL WHO GAVE THEIR ALL IN SERVICE TO AMERICA. LOCKHEED MARTIN, WE NEVER FORGET WHO WE'RE WORKING FOR. >> ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING, GENERAL DYNAMICS, AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU. THANK YOU.