Latest news with #NationalMemorialDayConcert
Epoch Times
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Vietnam Dustoff Pilot to Be Honored During National Memorial Day Concert
Co-hosted by Tony Award winner Joe Mantegna and Emmy Award winner Gary Sinise—steadfast champions of veterans' causes and active service members—the National Memorial Day Concert, airing live on May 25 from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, honors the courage, sacrifice, and service of the nation's military personnel and their families, and pays tribute to all those who have given their lives in defense of the United States. 'Most of us Vietnam guys, because of the circumstances that were going on when we came back, it was not in our best interest to do a lot of talking about where we had gone, what we had seen, and that sort of stuff because there was a whole lot of animosity about that war, so we just didn't bring it up,' Retired U.S. Army Col. Otis Evans said in an interview with The Epoch Times a few days before he and the courageous Army Air Ambulance Units of the Vietnam War were to be honored at the concert. At great risk and danger under enemy fire, helicopter pilot Evans and his crew rescued wounded troops in remote locations. Commonly called 'Dustoff,' their radio call sign, these life-saving air medevac units are estimated to have evacuated 900,000 casualties during the war. 'We had a job to do and we were gonna do it because if you didn't do it, you weren't living up to the standards,' Evans, now 81, said. 'We never questioned the mission, we just did it.' Evans, who comes from a long line of military service—including his grandfather in World War I, his father in World War II, two brothers also in Vietnam, and a son in Iraq and Afghanistan—served 12 of his 27 years in the military as a Dustoff pilot. He earned a Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, a Bronze Star, and the Air Medal with numeral 9. After serving in Vietnam, Evans continued to demonstrate excellence as a Dustoff pilot in the United States, the Republic of Korea, and the Federal Republic of Germany. It was not the life Evans, who grew up in Brenham, Texas, and attended Prairie View A&M University, had imagined. ' When I went to college my whole goal was to go to the agricultural part of it and come out of there and become a dairy farmer,' he said. 'That's what I really wanted to do.' The offer of an Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship—in exchange for four years of active Army service—changed all that. It's there where the 'dedication to an idea or a line of service' took root in him. 'I didn't grow up thinking that I was going to have a military career. That wasn't my makeup at that time,' Evans said. 'But once I got introduced to it and started to meet and make friends in the organization, and then got thoroughly acquainted with the mission, the natural inclination was to stay there.' Service Became His Calling As he got more entrenched in Army life, Evans realized he was exactly where he should be. 'One of the things that I've learned about life is that if on Sunday afternoon at three o'clock, you're not looking forward to going to work, you're in the wrong business,' he said. 'I always look forward to Monday morning.' When Evans looks back on his journey, he's appreciative of how it all turned out, even if he never became a dairy farmer. 'I'm glad I wasn't in charge of making all the decisions for my life because I knew I would have screwed it up,' he said. 'Things happened and they happened for the best and I got through it to some degree of success and I'm pleased over that.' Courtesy of Capital Concerts, Inc. That 'some degree of success' is putting it modestly as Evans was recognized by the United States Congress with the Congressional Veterans Commendation for his selfless service to both the U.S. Army and his civilian community. On March 23, 2024, he was inducted into the Dustoff Hall of Fame. 'It was never my intention to be a helicopter ambulance pilot. I didn't plan to do that,' he said. 'But I joined the Army Medical Service and kind of got roped into flight school. because I thought I wasn't gonna pass [the preparatory test]. I figured I'd take it and get the half day off and I'd be good. But somehow I passed the test. The next thing you know, I'm in flight school ... And then I'm in Vietnam. For medical service officers, the only thing that they were going to let us do was fly helicopter ambulances. Once I was in it, you gotta make the best of it.' Otis Evans Courtesy of Capital Concerts, Inc. Evans is still 'in it'—attending reunions as a member of the 'Dustoff Association' and Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association when he can. 'There is a kindredship that we maintain,' he acknowledged. During his few days in Washington, he hopes to connect with Army friends. 'I'll call them up and let them entertain me for a day,' Evans said with a laugh. He will be joined on the trip by his wife of almost 60 years, Rosalyn, and his son and daughter-in-law. Live From the West Lawn of the Capitol Scheduled performers for this inspiring night of remembrance include country music star and wounded Army combat veteran Scotty Hasting; Grammy Award-winning gospel music legend Yolanda Adams; and the National Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly. In tribute to all members of the armed forces, the audience favorite 'Salute to Services' will feature the Joint Chiefs of Staff and service color teams. Also participating are members of the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, the U.S. Army Chorus, the Soldiers' Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band, the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, vocalists from the Quantico Marine Band, the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants, and the Armed Forces Color Guard provided by the Military District of Washington. The concert will air from 8 to 9:30 p.m. ET on PBS, and it will also be broadcast to U.S. troops serving around the world via American Forces Network. The event will be streamed on YouTube and at Related Stories 4/29/2025 5/29/2016
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise Are Back to Co-Host the 'National Memorial Day Concert'
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Every year in the United States, we celebrate Memorial Day. Occurring on the last Monday of May, the federal holiday recognizes those who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military. As such, the special day often follows a weekend full of gatherings with friends, family and loved ones. Along with participating in special Memorial Day activities and watching Memorial Day movies, many will wrap up the weekend with the annual National Memorial Day Concert on PBS, held on the U.S. Capitol's West Lawn and co-hosted by Criminal Minds star Joe Mantegna and actor Gary Sinise. Filled with heartfelt tributes to fallen members of the U.S. military and emotional performances throughout the broadcast, you might want to know how to watch and stream the at home. Luckily, there are a number of ways to catch the special this year. View this post on Instagram A post shared by National Memorial Day Concert (@memdaypbs) The National Memorial Day Concert will air on Sunday, May 25, 2025 at 8 p.m. ET on PBS. If you happen to have access to broadcast television, you can check out your local listings or the PBS website in order to find your local PBS station. But if you'd rather watch the program online or on a smart TV, we found a number of options you can look into. The National Memorial Day Concert will also stream in real-time on both and . Additionally, there are live-streaming websites (like , , and ) that will allow you to view the event as it airs live on television. Among the celebrities that'll perform throughout the special are Jack Everly, Angel Blue, Scott Hasting, Britain's Got Talent star Loren Allred and Grammy Award winner Yolanda Adams. Additionally, The West Wing star Mary McCormack, Golden Globe-nominated actor Blair Underwood, Boardwalk Empire actress Gretchen Mol and action movie star Robert Patrick will make appearances during the broadcast. You Might Also Like 67 Best Gifts for Women That'll Make Her Smile The Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper
News.com.au
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Sad reason actor Gary Sinise turned his back on Hollywood
Gary Sinise would make a Hollywood comeback — if the opportunity was right. During an interview with Fox News Digital ahead of the National Memorial Day Concert in the US, the actor said that he would return to the film and television business if the circumstances aligned. 'I can't leave home for the amount of time that I used to go and shoot a movie or something like that, but if the right thing came along — under the right circumstances and it felt right and the timing was good and it didn't take me away from home too much — I would absolutely consider it,' Sinise said. 'It's all about timing, and it's all about the project and the people that would be involved in it. I've been blessed, you know, like I said, when you're on television on a hit show for nine years (CSI: NY), you can put some money away, and I've been able to use that money for good, and you know, now I can kind of be selective about what I'm doing in life.' Sinise is grateful for his movie and TV career, giving him the financial freedom to care for his son during his final years. 'I had a blessed career and I financially did well. And I've been able to build a foundation. I've been able to take care of the family. I was able to take care of my son during a very difficult time because he needed around-the-clock nursing care and that's not paid for by the insurance. So, there were a lot of things I've been able to do because I had a successful movie and television career,' said Sinise. 'If the right project came. I would consider it, no doubt. I'm not out there pounding the pavement right now. Occasionally doing a paid speech or paid narration or something that only takes a little bit of time, doesn't take me away from home too long,' he said. 'So, I put a little money away, and it helps keeps things flat, where I don't have to dip into the investments too much because I save those for special things that I want to support and donate to.' Sinise told Fox News Digital that there were projects he passed on to be home with his family. 'There have been some things I've had to say I was unavailable for the amount of time that it would take. Some television series that would take me away from home, you know, every week and that kind of thing. I just can't do it with the situation that we're in now. With the family. I have to find the right … kind of thing,' he said. Sinise said he's been talking to some people about projects that would align with his current lifestyle. 'I'm talking to a few people about a couple of different things that would fit the lifestyle right now a little bit better. And that's important, you know. I got five grandkids. We're hoping for more. Leaving home for long periods of time is just not anything I want to do,' he said. 'I put in my time doing that for many years and had some great wonderful projects, and they took me away from home quite a bit when my kids were young.' 'Right now, I want to stay home a lot more, and I'm fulfilled with the mission of the Gary Sinise Foundation.' he admitted. The actor founded his foundation in 2011 to support veterans, first responders and their families through various programs, including smart homes, mental wellness initiatives and community outreach. Aside from running the Gary Sinise Foundation, the CSI: NY actor will be returning for the 19th year as the PBS Memorial Day Concert's co-host. Sinise told Fox News Digital that he initially got involved in the event after being invited by Hollywood actor, Joe Mantegna. 'He called me and said, 'Have you heard about the National Memorial Day Concert?' And I said, 'No, I haven't.' He said, 'Well, I just got involved with it a couple of years ago. It's a big concert on the West Lawn of the Capitol, and it's televised on PBS,'' Sinise said. Mantegna then invited Sinise and his band to perform at the 2005 Memorial Day concert. The following year, he was asked to come back and co-host with Mantegna. Sinise described the annual concert as a 'national memorial service for our fallen heroes.' 'Memorial Day is about remembering and honouring those who have sacrificed, given their lives in service to our country over the years. We still have over 130,000 Americans buried in 26 different cemeteries overseas because of the sacrifices that were made during World War II and what not. That's a lot of sacrifice to keep us free over the years,' he said. During the show, military service members and their families are showcased, and a spotlight is shined on those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fallen heroes to be honored at 36th National Memorial Day Concert
(NewsNation) — The National Memorial Day Concert returns Sunday for its 36th year, airing live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The annual event pays tribute to the service and sacrifice of America's military members, their families and those who gave their lives defending the nation. Emmy-winning actor Gary Sinise, who has co-hosted the concert for two decades, called it a moment of national reflection. Memorial Day weekend will see record-breaking travel: AAA 'These are our freedom providers. These are the people that sacrifice to keep us free and have for 250 years now,' he said. 'This Memorial Day Concert is kind of the national day of remembrance. It's a time where we can all come together in support of the men and women and families who have sacrificed their lives to keep us free.' This year's concert features performances by the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, Army Chorus, Navy Band Sea Chanters, Air Force Singing Sergeants, and the Soldiers' Chorus of the Army Field Band. Actors and musicians will also take part in tributes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
