On Sunday, November 11, 2012, at 7 p.m., Maryland Public Television will continue its annual tradition of saluting veterans from all branches of the military with a live broadcast of musical performances and short vignettes honoring some of the men and women who currently serve in the U.S. armed forces. Titled “America’s Veterans: A Musical Tribute,” the one-hour program will be telecast in honor of the national observance of Veterans Day. The special will repeat on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 8 p.m.
This year’s performers will include “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard -- aka “The Velvet Teddy Bear” -- along with Irish Tenors member Anthony Kearns. In addition, the tribute, hosted by Washington’s WRC-TV news anchor Aaron Gilchrist, will feature a mixture of classic patriotic favorites from the Air Force Band and its choral group, the Singing Sergeants. All of the artists will perform in front of an audience in MPT’s Owings Mills studios.
This year’s special honorees include:
- Representing the United States Marine Corps: Col. Anthony Henderson
Bronze Star with Valor, Helmand Province, Afghanistan Commander of Battalion Landing Team
- Representing the United States Navy: HM2 Luis Fonseca
Navy Cross, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Hospital Corpsman
- Representing the United States Coast Guard: Lt. Aaron Renschler
Awarded the National Defense Industrial Association Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict Award for his actions in the Gulf of Aden
- Representing the United States Air Force: Tech. Sgt. Robert Gutierrez
Air Force Cross, Silver Star, Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars with Valor, Air Force Combat Action Medal
“America’s Veterans” has become a perennial favorite among all MPT productions and one that has elevated the holiday experience for viewers, generating a greater level of appreciation for American veterans and promoting a better understanding by the public of the role of men and women in uniform.
About MPT
Launched in 1969 and headquartered in Owings Mills, MD, Maryland Public Television is a nonprofit, state-licensed public television network and member of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). MPT’s six transmitters cover Maryland plus portions of contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Frequent winner of regional Emmy® awards, MPT creates local, regional, and national television shows. Beyond broadcast, MPT’s commitment to professional educators, parents, caregivers, and learners of all ages is manifest in its year-round instructional events and super-website Thinkport which garners in excess of 1.4 million visits annually. MPT’s community engagement connects viewers with local resources on significant health, education, and public interest topics through year-round outreach events, viewer forums, program screenings, and phone bank call-in opportunities.
