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U.S Air Force Band teams up with music legends for Veterans Day TV special

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  • By The USAF Band
BOLLING AFB, D.C. --  The world-renowned United States Air Force Band will be in the national spotlight in a Veterans Day televison spectacular when the Symphony Orchestra and Singing Sergeants join a dazzling lineup of celebrities and recording artists to present "America's Veterans: A Musical Tribute."

The program premieres Nov. 10 on public television stations from coast to coast. For service members and their families stationed overseas, the program will be broadcast on American forces Network Prime (AFN Prime) Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. viewer time overseas.

The high-energy gala features two-time Grammy winner Patti LaBelle, country western sensation Clint Black, Academy Award-winning actor Cliff Robertson, and ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro in stirring performances that will captivate viewers around the world.

The Veterans Day special was recorded in high definition at the Music Center at Strathmore, in Bethesda, Md., and is dedicated to our military heroes from operations spanning five wars and all branches of our armed forces.

"It's so nice to be here singing for the veterans, singing for our soldiers who are fighting -- the young men and women who are trying to keep it real wherever they are," said legendary singer Patti LaBelle, who will thrill music fans young and old with her stirring performance of "I'll Stand By You."

Country superstar Clint Black, a prolific singer-songwriter whose work evokes the best of his genre's most cherished traditions, joined Ms. LaBelle in expressing his deep gratitude for the selfless sacrifices our military men and women offer daily in defense of liberty. "We owe so much thanks to so many of you in uniform and those veterans who have given us so much freedom to enjoy," said Mr. Black, whose moving performance of "The Shoes You're Wearing," will be remembered by country fans long after the Veterans Day broadcast.

The multi-dimensional Jake Shimabukuro's ukulele mastery of formats from classical to rock will keep audiences spellbound, and his stunning rendition of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is another musical gem in the Veterans Day tribute.

Leading the way, The U.S. Air Force Band sets the tone for the evening's patriotic celebration in its own unique style, performing several inspirational numbers including "Summon the Heroes" and "Who Are The Brave?"

Cliff Robertson will honor five American heroes in the Strathmore audience -- one from each branch of the U.S. military - with short, poignant vignettes capturing the essence of their selfless actions in defense of our nation's freedom in operations spanning five wars.

From World War II comes the story of Marine Pfc. Samuel Smith, who, with 400 fellow members of the legendary Navajo Code Talkers, used their language to transmit critical coded battle communications during operations in the Pacific Theater. During the Vietnam War, Navy Cmdr. Everett Alvarez Jr., was one of the first-captured and longest-held prisoners of war. His account provides a sobering glimpse into the horrible sufferings our POWs endured, and stands as a lasting legacy to the willingness of American warriors to lay down their lives for their comrades.

Capt. Evelyn Decker was an African-American Army nurse who labored in segregated military hospitals during the second world war and later met the challenges of racial integration with courage and dignity, serving in the 8055th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) in Korea. Her story stands as a testament to the groundbreaking work done by African-American service members during the early days of the civil rights movement.

Port Security Chief and longtime reservist Sandy Mitten braved SCUD missiles while serving on a rapid-response boat during the first Gulf War. A grandmother at the time, she's known by her fellow Coast Guardsmen as "The Grandma Gunner."

Finally, Mr. Robertson honors Senior Airman Scott Palomino, an Air Force aerial surveillance technician in Iraq, who suffered severe injuries when a mortar round landed in his tent. As a disabled combat veteran and amputee, Palomino now inspires others to patriotism and service.

"What a great opportunity this is to remember the sacrifices our veterans have made to ensure America's freedom," said Col. Dennis Layendecker, Air Force Band commander. "And we're equally proud to honor our joint armed forces team members serving around the world today; they are our veterans of tomorrow."

The national public television premiere of "Veteran's Day: A Musical Tribute" is Nov. 10 at 9 p.m. For service members and their families stationed overseas, the program will be broadcast on American Forces Network Prime (AFN Prime) Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. viewer time overseas. For more information about the show, including local broadcast times, please see The USAF Band Web site at www.USAFBand.af.mil/AmericanVetsTribute.