Gary Sinise will co-host PBS’ 37th annual “National Memorial Day Concert” on May 24, spotlighting the surviving Pearl Harbor sailor Chuck Kohler as the nation marks Memorial Day with a rare in-person tribute during a night of veteran stories on live TV.
By the time Sunday’s cameras roll, the message will be simple—and urgent. Gary Sinise will take the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on May 24 to honor a Pearl Harbor survivor in person, one of the last living witnesses to the attack.
Sinise, 71, will co-host PBS’ “National Memorial Day Concert,” taped for a live broadcast that begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 PT (check local listings). His guest of honor is 102-year-old Navy veteran Chuck Kohler, one of 11 remaining survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack 85 years ago.
“We’re divided over many things. But everyone can recognize that we have a responsibility to recognize these men and women. ” Sinise said about the PBS special. He framed the timing as increasingly tight. adding that “We’re losing 1. 000 World War II veterans every single day. so time is short. ” and calling the televised moment “the nation’s opportunity. on live TV. to honor their service.”.
The concert—nonpartisan and in its 37th annual year—will also mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It is designed as a tribute to those who sacrificed for the country. and Sinise emphasized that it isn’t meant to travel along political lines: “This is not a political thing. It doesn’t matter who is in the White House, the Senate or the House.”.
Sinise added, “We’re divided over many things, but everyone can recognize that we have a responsibility to recognize the men and women who put their lives on the line to defend us.”
After longtime co-host Joe Mantegna dropped out “due to unforeseen circumstances,” Sinise will share the stage with “West Wing” star Mary McCormack.
A May 21 statement explained the change, and Mantegna said in the release, “I’m looking forward to joining the millions of Americans watching this Sunday’s concert on PBS.”
While Kohler’s presence anchors the evening, the program will also build out the human scale of remembrance through performances and stories from multiple conflicts.
Musical acts onstage will include country stars Mickey Guyton. Jamey Johnson—who served eight years in the Marine Corps Reserve—and Alan Jackson. Under the direction of concert-veteran conductor Jack Everly. the National Symphony Orchestra will perform pieces that include two written by Sinise’s composer son. McCanna Anthony “Mac” Sinise. Mac Sinise died in 2024 of a rare bone cancer called chordoma.
“That is very special,” Sinise said. “I’m so proud to have two of my son’s works played by the National Symphony Orchestra.”
The concert will also include veteran-focused segments led by other high-profile guests. Noah Wyle. the “West Wing” actor and executive producer of the event’s televised veteran stories. will bring to life the account of militiaman Joseph Plumb Martin. who fought under Gen. George Washington. Oscar winner Melissa Leo will recount the actions of retired Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho, who rushed into rescue mode during the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon.
Vietnam War veterans and Gold Star families—representing more than 1 million men and women who have given their lives—will also receive special tributes.
Commemorating the 85th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, “Breaking Bad” star Jonathan Banks will tell Kohler’s story. The narrative begins when Kohler was 16, when he convinced his dad to sign his enlistment form to enter the Navy on April 3, 1941.
On Dec. 7. the first bomb from a Japanese pilot hit near the hangar where Kohler was writing a letter home. sending window glass into his head. neck and shoulders. Kohler and another sailor then mounted a .50-caliber machine gun on a nearby American plane and emptied round after round of ammunition into the attacking aircraft.
The account reaches beyond the attack as Kohler later witnessed the surrender of a Japanese garrison in August 1945 after being deployed to the Marshall Islands Pacific campaign. Years after the fighting, Kohler—now a centenarian—has continued the remembrance. Visiting Pearl Harbor 68 years after the attack, he made a vow to keep honoring the comrades he lost.
Each Dec. 7, Kohler lights a beacon at the top of California’s Mount Diablo to keep their memory alive.
His story has continued to draw attention in recent months. In March, Kohler received an internet-viral half-court tribute at a Michigan State University basketball game, featuring the team’s forward and great-grandson Jaxon Kohler.
Producer Michael Colbert—whose late father Jerry Colbert started the concert in 1989—said, “Chuck’s in great shape and he’ll be there.” Colbert added, “It’s so important that we never forget. Chuck was part of the Greatest Generation that saved the world. We’re blessed to still have him with us.”
For viewers planning their Sunday night. PBS says the live 37th annual broadcast of the “National Memorial Day Concert” airs on May 24 on PBS at 8 p.m. ET/5 PT (check local listings). Service members around the world can watch on the American Forces Network. The concert will also stream on YouTube and PBS.org.
The program will be available as Video on Demand from May 24 to June 7, 2026.
Gary Sinise PBS National Memorial Day Concert Chuck Kohler Pearl Harbor Mary McCormack Joe Mantegna Mickey Guyton Jamey Johnson Alan Jackson Jonathan Banks Noah Wyle Melissa Leo veterans
Love seeing Chuck Kohler get honored. 😕 time is really running out.
Wait is this the same guy from that show? Gary Sinise? I mean good for him but are they doing it live or is it pre-taped? My PBS guide is always wrong anyway.
So they’re saying 1,000 WWII vets a day?? That sounds made up or like a typo. And why do they say not political while still acting like it is, like the government is always involved.
Pearl Harbor stories on PBS sounds nice but I’m confused like… they’re honoring a survivor, but isn’t Memorial Day more about the fallen? Also West Lawn of the Capitol seems random to me, like why not at a harbor? Either way I’ll probably watch for a few minutes and then get pulled into something else.