SILVER SPRING, Md., May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Each year, hundreds of thousands of
enthusiastic Americans flock to Washington, D.C., home to the largest Memorial
Day parade in the country, to honor all of those who have served in uniform from the
American Revolution to Operation Iraqi Freedom. This year, millions more will be
able to see the tribute for themselves, when the Military Channel broadcasts the
Memorial Day parade live for first time in network history. THE NATIONAL
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE Presented by Boeing will air live on Monday, May 31st
from 2-4 PM ET on the Military Channel.
"On this hallowed Memorial Day, when we pause to recognize the courageous
service of both veterans and the men and women in uniform who are currently
fighting to protect our freedom, as well as the freedom of those around the
world, Military Channel is particularly proud to carry live coverage of this
important parade," said Henry Schleiff, president and general manager,
Military Channel, ID and HD Theater.
THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE features hundreds of active duty and
veteran troops from every branch of the military. Two of the highlights of this
year's parade include performances by the Marine Corps' Band from Quantico
and the U.S. Naval Academy Marching Band. Joining these military marching bands
will be high school marching bands; active duty and retired military units; Wounded
Warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the Bethesda Naval Hospital;
youth groups saluting American heroes; several recipients of our nation's
highest honor, the Medal of Honor; parade floats; and hundreds of veterans
from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, The Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom,
Operation Iraqi Freedom and other modern military conflicts.
The 2010 NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE also features a special salute to the
legacy and sacrifice of the United States Marine Corps, special recognition of the
65th anniversary of victory in World War II and the 60th anniversary of the start
of the Korean War. Special guests include the
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace, and Reviewing Officer
General James Amos, Assistant Commandant of the United States Marine Corps.
Actors Gary Sinise, Joe Mantegna, Hugh O'Brian and R. Lee Ermey all will
participate in the parade, along with R.V. Burgin, a U.S. Marine veteran who
was portrayed in HBO's miniseries The Pacific. At 3 PM, the National Moment
of Remembrance will be recognized as the parade pauses and Anthony
Kearns of the famed Irish Tenors sings "Amazing Grace." Hosts Rita Cosby and
Paul McKellips will call the action of the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE for
Military Channel's viewers.
Despite being headquarters to the U.S. military, Washington, D.C. was without a
parade on the Armed Services' most sacred day for over 70 years. In 2005, the
American Veterans Center worked to bring this great tradition back to the
nation's capital and created their first NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE,
which has grown to become the largest Memorial Day parade in the country.
The American Veterans Center's mission was to create a parade as a marquee
event not only for Washington, D.C. but for the entire country, to celebrate the real
meaning of Memorial Day and honor those who have served and died to preserve
every American's liberties. As many local Memorial Day parades fade away,
Military Channel's live coverage of the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
provides the country with a tradition where all Americans can gather together
and thank our greatest heroes, and remember those who have fallen in
service to their country.
About The American Veterans Center:
The American Veterans Center is a non-profit educational foundation based in
Arlington, Virginia, dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of
America's veterans and active duty service members. In addition to founding
and organizing the National Memorial Day Parade, the Center produces
documentary work, publications, and speaker events all providing an
opportunity for our military men and women to record their lessons
and experiences for future generations. www.americanveteranscenter.org.
About Military Channel:
The Military Channel brings viewers compelling, real-world stories of heroism,
military strategy, and significant turning points in history. Currently available
in more than 57 million homes, the network takes viewers "behind the lines"
to hear the personal stories of servicemen and women and offers in-depth
explorations of military training, aviation technology and cutting-edge
weaponry. As the only cable network devoted to military subjects, it
also provides unique access to this world, allowing viewers to experience
and understand the full spectrum of human drama, courage, and patriotism intrinsic
to the armed forces, as well as, the long-held traditions of the military.
For more information, please visit military.discovery.com.
For more information on the Military Channel, please go to www.press.
discovery.com for network profiles, photography and advance screeners.
SOURCE Military Channel
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RELATED LINKS
http://www.military.discovery.com
PR NEWSWIRE
MAY 21, 2010
Military Channel Honors America's Heroes With Its First-Ever Live Broadcast of
the National Memorial Day Parade from the Nation's Capital on Monday, May 31.
The National Memorial Day Parade, Presented by Boeing, Salutes All Those
Who Have Served in Uniform and Celebrates the Meaning of this Hallowed Day.
WASHINGTON, May 24 -- World-renowned tenor Anthony Kearns will sing
Amazing Grace a cappella during the nationally-televised National Moment
of Remembrance, part of the 2010 National Memorial Day Parade, in
Washington, D.C. on Mon., May 31 – at 3 p.m. E.T., it was announced today.
The parade will come to a complete stop as Mr. Kearns leads a special
tribute to those who have fallen in the line of duty.
"We're pleased to have tenor Anthony Kearns as part of the 2010 National
Memorial Day Parade – the largest in the nation," said Jim Roberts,
president of the American Veterans Center which organizes the parade.
"As one of the world's most prominent tenors, Anthony Kearns' participation
will focus attention on the importance of pausing on Memorial Day to
honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice," Roberts said.
"I'm honored to be a part of this remembrance ceremony for those who
have answered the clarion call, especially on this hallowed day,"
said Kearns, the only remaining founding member of the popular
singing group, The Irish Tenors. Mr. Kearns also has a flourishing
international solo career.
"It's my privilege to sing and dedicate Amazing Grace to American
soldiers who have died defending freedom," said Kearns. Composed
by John Newton over two hundred years ago, Amazing Grace is
one of the most compelling songs in the English language, he said.
Parade organizers expect to draw 300,000 spectators. Television coverage
will include the Military Channel, the Pentagon Channel, American Life
Network, and News Channel 8 (local), among others.
Mr. Kearns joins an impressive roster of parade participants, including
General Peter Pace, 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who
will serve as Grand Marshal. Honorary Marshals are Gary Sinise, star
of CSI: New York, and Joe Mantegna, leading actor in Criminal Minds.
The parade's Reviewing Officer is General James Amos, Assistant
Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps. For information, visit
www.nationalmemorialdayparade.com.
"Amazing Grace's message of salvation is appropriate for Memorial Day.
How fitting for this song to be sung by Anthony Kearns, one of the most
gifted tenors of our time, to honor the contributions of those who have
fallen in freedom's defense," said Kirsten Fedewa, Kearns' publicist
who secured the engagement for Kearns.
NOTE TO EDITORS: To book an interview or special event with Mr.
Kearns, please contact Kirsten Fedewa (Kirsten Fedewa &
Assoc., L.L.C.), 202.365.6936.
SOURCE Kirsten Fedewa (Kirsten Fedewa & Assoc., L.L.C.) for Anthony Kearns
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RELATED LINKS
http://www.nationalmemorialdayparade.com/
TENOR ANTHONY KEARNS TO SING AMAZING GRACE DURING THE
NATIONAL MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE ON MON., MAY 31ST AT 3 PM