The 2010 National Memorial Day Concert - Dress Rehearsal Pictures

Dress rehearsal pictures from The 2010 National Memorial Day Concert featuring Joe Montegna, Gary Sinise, AJ Cook and Blythe Danner

All pictures credited to P. Morigi

The 2010 National Memorial Day Concert

The 2010 National Memorial Day Concert airs tonight Sunday May 30th on PBS from 8:00 to 9:30 PM ET (check your local listings)

The above picture from rehearsal shows some of the wonderful people involved including Criminal Minds' own Joe Mantegna and AJ Cook. Joe will be co-hosting once again with Gary Sinise and AJ will be taking part in a dramatic reading with Tony and Emmy-award winning actress Blythe Danner.





Joe has participated in this event for nine years and it is one that he holds very dear to his heart. He has said that though not very politically involved, he whole-heartedly supports our troops and their families and is honored to have been part of this program for so long. This Tony-award winner has been co-hosting the concert for the last five-years with acclaimed actor Gary Sinise.

One of the main focuses of the program this year is honoring the sacrifices, suffering and love of a new generation of young military widows whose fallen spouses served in Iraq and Afghanistan. AJ will be performing a dramatic reading of the story of Taryn Davis who was 21 when her husband was killed in Iraq. It's a story of her journey to healing that led to her finding support with the Widows of Veterans Yahoo Group, to her bond with Glenda Davis who lost her husband to the Vietnam War, and eventually to her non-profit organization, American Widow Project. Two very different generations of women having to deal with the same pain. Blythe Danner will be sharing Glenda Davis' story with us.


You can read more about tonight's program in the following link:

http://www.pbs.org/memorialdayconcert/concert/

Credit for the above pictures to Kris Connor (group shot) and to P. Morigi (pictures of Joe and AJ)

AJ Cook to Perform at The National Memorial Day Concert

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Blythe Danner and "Criminal Minds" star A.J. Cook will portray widows of American soldiers at the 26th annual PBS National Memorial Day Concert on the Capitol lawn in Washington.

Danner and Cook will tell the story of Taryn Davis, who was 21 when her husband was killed in Iraq. The young woman befriended another widow who lost her husband during the Vietnam War and was inspired to create the American Widow Project, a community for war widows.

Danner and Cook will perform Davis' story as part of the annual tribute to the troops. Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna (mahn-TAYN'-yuh) will host the program, also set to feature performances by Lionel Richie, Brad Paisley and Yolanda Adams.

PBS will broadcast the concert live on May 30.

The 2010 National Memorial Day Concert

THE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE NATION

Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise will be co-hosting for the fifth year, the 2010 National Memorial Day Concert, Live on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Both have dedicated themselves to veterans’ causes and supporting our troops in active service.

Joe mentioned, it is a cause close to his heart and he always feels honour to be part of this amazing event.

Broadcasting date will be: Sunday, May 30, from 8:00 to 9:30 pm ET on PBS
(Check local listings - http://www.pbs.org/memorialdayconcert/airdates.html)

http://www.pbs.org/memorialdayconcert/
http://www.pbs.org/memorialdayconcert/concert/ (VIDEO)