The National Memorial Day Concert on PBS Sun. Night NOW

PBS ^ | 5/25/03

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Ossie Davis, Host, The 2003 National Memorial Day Concert Distinguished actor, director, producer and World War II veteran Ossie Davis marks his 10th year as host for the National Memorial Day Concert.

Davis says that hosting the event is, for him, "…a spiritual exercise. The value lies in the reminder of what wars are and what they cost in human terms.

We appreciate our heritage a little bit more when we start to consider what it means and what people have paid for it."

Joining Ossie Davis will be the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff and color guards from each of the armed forces.

Also appearing are distinguished actor Charles Durning, a much-decorated veteran of World War II; space pioneer, American hero and former United States Senator John Glenn; Golden Globe winning and Emmy nominated actor Dylan McDermott; British opera singer Russell Watson; Emmy award-winning actress Gena Rowlands; "America's Mom" Marion Ross; Grammy award-winning opera star Renée Fleming; pop and Broadway sensation Linda Eder; acclaimed film, theater and television actor Joe Mantegna; World War II veteran and Emmy award-winning television and film actor Tony Randall; TV and Broadway star Tom Wopat; triple platinum country music superstars Lonestar; gospel legend Yolanda Adams and other guest artists in performance with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of premier pops conductor Erich Kunzel.

The evening offers a special tribute to the troops serving in the Persian Gulf, the heroes and victims of September 11 and the War on Terrorism.

2003 also marks some significant anniversaries in our nation's military history which are commemorated in this year's concert.

In addition to paying homage to the thousands of veterans who have served or made the ultimate sacrifice in our country's service, the program will feature a special segment on the Korean War, which ended 50 years ago with the signing of the armistice agreement.

And, the concert will provide a very personal remembrance of the Vietnam War, which ended 30 years ago, through the stories of four Gold Star Mothers who lost their sons there.

The 14th annual National Memorial Day Concert airs Sunday, May 25, 2003, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET. Check local listings. The concert is also broadcast to U.S. military personnel in more than 135 countries by the American Forces Radio and Television Network.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

My local PBS station started replaying the show at 9:30 pm. It's inspirational.

[expatpat]

Yes, my wife and I watched it from 8 to 9:30. Excellent concert.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

A wonderful tribute for Memorial Day.

[God luvs America]

I absolutely love that concert...it is the highlight of my Memorial Day weekend. I have not missed one of these concerts for a decade and in 1998 I actually went to the show live (what an amazing experience). In fact, my wife just pulled out the program from the '98 concert.

But let me say this...I think it is so hypocritical that Aussie Davis is the host.

Now, I know, except for the last two years he has been the host of this concert but the fact remains; he was was of the loudest critics against the War in Iraq and said we were doing the wrong thing. He participated in an event at Lincoln Center called "Poets not Good Enough for the White House," which was a direct slap in the face against our First Lady.

In his poem, which I later heard, Davis said he "thought our nation learned its' lesson after Vietnam," and he was "reporting for duty for Martin Luther King" (reference to Dr. King's opposition to Vietnam).

He also led a march here in White Plains, NY back in February against the Iraq invasion leading a pack of American haters who ignorantly yelled, "No blood for oil."

I accept his right to speak his mind but despise the hypocrisy as he'll accept a nice fat fee for hosting the event, a night that spent a good portion of time on our troops in Iraq. And yes, I know Davis was a veteran.

[SouthernFreebird]

I caught it earlier..better keep those tissues handy.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

It's amazing Davis was chosen to be the host, under those circumstances.

The Sept. 11 tribute brought it all back.

[mickie]

Thanks for the 'heads up'.....being broadcast in Philla area now on Channel 39.

[Hildy]

OSSIE DAVIS??? That is a slap in the face!

I did a search, and I found this on CNN's website from 1999!...apparently he always hosts this for PBS...which just figures, doesn't it.

Before you heat up those barbecue coals, pop open a beer and celebrate this Memorial Day weekend, actor Ossie Davis wants you to consider why we have the long weekend in the first place.

Davis, who's scheduled to host the annual Memorial Day concert in Washington for PBS, tells USA Weekend that the moment holds little reason to celebrate. "I accept Veteran's Day and July 4th as high points of patriotism," Davis says. "Memorial Day is when we remember that we pay the costs for the stupidness of war." On a related note, Davis, a World War II veteran who opposed the Vietnam War, says the current NATO action in Kosovo is a necessary evil. "The necessary wars are as much hell as those that are unnecessary," he says. "I watch most closely the faces of the refugees, particularly the children, so I understand why we are there."

[Dr. Scarpetta]

I caught it earlier..better keep those tissues handy.

"I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar places." What a beautiful song.

[God luvs America]

I think alot of it has to do with the fact Davis hosted the concert from it's inception 15 years ago.

[God luvs America]

Like I said...utter hypocrisy on the part of Davis!!

[Dr. Scarpetta]

I'm also watching it on Channel 39. RCN cable outside of Allentown...

[God luvs America]

Tell PBS what you think!!

Here's the link for concert comments:

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

And here's what i wrote:

"Let me say I love your concert...I've watched it the past ten years and had the honor of attending in 1998. But I have a huge problem with this years' show. While I understand he's been the host since its' inception and he is a veteran I think it is hypocritical and totally out of conscience to have Ossie Davis host the telecast this year. Mr Davis has bitterly spoken against the war in Iraq saying our people were doing the wrong thing. To have this man host a show which was greatly dedicated to the men and women fighting in Iraq at this moment is a terrible slap in the face to them. For Mr Davis to accept the fat fee he will be receiving for hosting the show is absolute hypocrisy on his part!"

[SouthernFreebird]

These letter from the gold star mothers.......heartbreaking

[Dr. Scarpetta]

good idea

[Dr. Scarpetta]

These letter from the gold star mothers.......heartbreaking

So sad

[SouthernFreebird]

Is there anything sadder than Taps.....

[Dr. Scarpetta]

I had never heard of the Gold Star Mothers until recently. What a wonderful group of women.

[God luvs America]

If you are close to DC try and spend Memorial Day weekend there on year; it will be one of the most profound experiences you'll ever have.

You will see hundreds of Gold Star Mom's at the Vietnam Wall...and you'll want to hug them all. I still have pictures from 1998 of the ladies as the grouped together!

[MainFrame65]

I was struck by the contrast between General Meyers remarks and what was said by Ossie Davis and several other speakers. Davis mentioned only war and peace - the first only terrible, and the second only good. In a better world filled with better people, that wishful thinking might be true, but none of us has ever lived there.

The General mentioned peace only once, and then coupled it with peril; his emphasis was on freedom and sacrifice, and the gratitude of the nation for that sacrifice. We pay a price for our freedom, and this day honors those who have paid the highest price. And the General understands that the struggle - and the sacrifice - will continue.