This musical tribute has been offered for 34 years, and I am so glad I caught it for the first time in 2023.

Hosts Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise salute servicemembers who fought in every major conflict from World War II on, while offering gratitude to their families, and reminding us that there is healing for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. "Help is available," says Army veteran Michael Trotter, Jr., also a performer in the program. "Don't suffer in silence."

Country singer Trace Adkins starts things off -- "to the brother who is not there, we salute you" -- followed by a soulful "Star-Spangled Banner" by gospel artist Yolanda Adams.

"The scars of the Vietnam War run deep," we're told. "To all our Vietnam veterans, welcome home!"

The program features film and photo footage of the conflict notorious for whirring Huey helicopters. I hadn't realized that from 1963 to 1974, more than 3 million Americans were deployed to Southeast Asia. "Vietnam was a never-ending nightmare," Sinise says, citing warfare waged in "impenetrable jungles, forbidding hill country, and cities consumed by destruction." More than 500,000 US personnel were wounded, and 58,200 killed.

We also view actors telling the amazing story of Air Force pilot Carlyle "Smitty" Harris, whose plane was downed after he'd bombed a bridge on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The POW was held captive in a 7-by-7 "Hanoi Hilton" cell for eight long years. He'd taught a "tap code" to other prisoners, helping all to stay communicative and able to resist.

"I refused to go to dark places," says the actress portraying Smitty's wife, Louise. "I thought that if Smitty can handle what he's doing, I can handle this." Inspiring words for us all!

The Harrises make an appearance by video, and 10 ex-Vietnam POWs appear on stage, each a testament to fortitude and determination. You inspire us, veterans!

We also commemorate the 400,000-plus US troops killed in WWII, observing photos of endless crosses in burial grounds, as a military drummer taps out a tattoo. I'd had no idea how many lost their lives in "the largest and most destructive conflict in the history of the planet." We're reminded of the sacrifices of the war's indispensable merchant marines, and told of how 700-plus of their ships were sunk, with 9,500 killed. And we view footage from the Korean War, learning that "as many froze in foxholes as were killed by enemy guns." Some 36,000 Americans gave their lives in what has been called the "Forgotten War."

With Phillip Phillips on acoustic guitar, and leading a singalong, the program offers warm support to Gold Star families who have lost loved ones in military conflicts such as the one in Iraq, which claimed more than 4,000 lives and left so many others struggling with PTSD.

"In our house, every day is Memorial Day," says an actress portraying the mother of Army soldier Anthony Magee, who died of a shrapnel wound to the head. The story of Mr. Magee -- and his survivors, seated in the front row at the concert -- is powerfully accompanied by The War and the Treaty, a soul duo comprised of Mr. Trotter and his wife, Tanya Trotter.

A live rendition of "Taps" concludes our evening, as we remember that "from 1776 until today, over 1 million Americans paid the supreme price."

How wonderful to experience a reflection of a united nation, with no racial or political barriers dividing us. This is what our country has always been about, and will always be!