A Memorial Day tradition returns as the PBS National Memorial Day Concert is happening Sunday at 8 p.m.
Tony Award-winning actor Joe Mantegna, who hosts the concert, and Monica Magee Duncan, Gold Star Family Member, discuss with Fox45 News the importance of the National Memorial Day Concert.
It’s a 90-minute concert, live from the capital, featuring a mix of acting and musical talent.
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“This is my 22nd year doing the concert and I keep coming back every year because to me it's just the perfect way of explaining to the nation what Memorial Day is all about,” Mantegna said. “It’s so important to our nation, and so important to all of us regardless of if we have military members of our family or not. I think it’s the most important holiday we celebrate in this country.”
Mantegna says he would encourage everyone to go.
“You’re given this three-day holiday, come for 90 minutes of it. Check out this concert- you will come away I guarantee, with those same feelings of ‘this is really important, this is something we should hold in our hearts and understand why it's such an important holiday.” Mantegna said.
Duncan says it means a lot to her, and other Gold Star families as well.
“We get to share the story of our loved ones, the ones we lost. They could have been the glue that holds the family togetherit’s an honor to share our story.”
Duncan said she lost her brother Anthony Magee, in 2010.
“He was that person everyone loved to be around, he was a giver, all about his family. Always making people happy and just making everyone laugh. If he had a dollar, he’d give you .99 cents.” Duncan said.
According to the PBS website, the concert is broadcast on PBS as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network.
The concert can also be streamed live on their website, on YouTube, the PBS app, and PBS.org. The concert will remain available for two weeks following the live broadcast.