Joe Mantegna, Gary Sinise, Dianne Wiest, et al. Set for 2011 National Memorial Day Concert

Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna will co-host the 2011 National Memorial Day Concert to be broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on PBS on May 29 at 8pm (EST, check local listings).

The concert will open with a special segment remembering those who lost their lives on 9/11, and their loved ones, and commemorating the heroism of the firemen and policemen who first responded. In addition, the event will feature a special thank you from General Colin Powell to U.S. troops who have been serving in Iraq, and a tribute to World War II veterans 70 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The line-up of dignitaries and artists who are scheduled to participate in the concert includes American Idol‘s Kris Allen and Pia Toscano; Academy Award winners Forest Whitaker and Dianne Wiest; stage and screen star Jason Ritter; blues legend B.B. King; classical musician Hayley Westenra; tenor Daniel Rodriguez; and gospel singer Yolanda Adams, as well as the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of pops conductor Jack Everly. Additional participants will be announced shortly.

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