National Salute To Veterans

The National Salute To Veterans airs on WCVE PBS/WHTJ PBS Sunday, November 11, 2012, at 8:00 p.m., in honor of the service and sacrifice of our 22 million American veterans. Hosted by acclaimed actors Joe Mantegna (“Criminal Minds”) and Gary Sinise (“CSI: New York”), the national television event celebrates the American heroes who have served throughout our country’s history. The program will also be broadcast to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network.

The National Salute To Veterans will feature new footage shot with co-hosts Mantegna and Sinise, as well as a selection of “best of the best” moments from past National Memorial Day Concerts. The all-star line-up includes distinguished American leader General Colin L. Powell USA (Ret.); Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker; “American Idol” finalist Pia Toscano; singer-songwriter Javier Colon (winner of “The Voice”); “American Idol” winner Kris Allen; acclaimed actors A.J. Cook and Jason Ritter; and gospel legend Yolanda Adams, accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by maestro Jack Everly.

Featured segments in the National Salute To Veterans will include:

• A special thank you to our troops who have been serving in Iraq and Afghanistan by General Colin Powell;

• A heartfelt tribute to our wounded warriors for their bravery and service to country;

• A look at how veterans and their families are coping with the enduring, and often invisible, wounds of war;

• The touching story of the healing friendship between a young woman and a Vietnam veteran who served with her father.