University of Wisconsin - Extension

On Memorial Day weekend, Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) ( http://www.wpt.org/ ) pays tribute to America's veterans with three special programs.

At 7 p.m. Sunday, May 27, the National Memorial Day Concert 2001 pays tribute to the World War II generation and the 60th anniversary of Pearl Harbor with journalist Walter Cronkite and a 10th-anniversary salute to the veterans of Desert Storm.

Hosted by actor Ossie Davis, the concert also recognizes former POWs of the Korean War and those who served in Vietnam. Live from the West Lawn of the United States Capitol, the program features Grammy Award-winning country music star Travis Tritt; musician and popular actor John Schneider; decorated war veteran and actor Charles Durning; Tom Wopat, currently appearing in Broadway's Tony Award-winning revival of "Annie Get Your Gun;" tenor John McDermott and an array of artists in performance with the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Erich Kunzel. WPT will air an encore broadcast at 8 p.m. Monday, May 28.

Immediately following at 8:30 p.m., Korean War Stories honors veterans of the Korean conflict. In the program, veterans share their extraordinary experiences and memories. Viewers hear from notable personalities as well as the soldiers in the trenches. Some of the veterans interviewed include Senator John S. Warner, Sen. John Glenn, baseball player Ted Williams, astronaut Wally Schirra, former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker, Rep. Charles Rangel, performer Willie Nelson, nationally syndicated writer David Hackworth, NBC News correspondent in Korea, Irving R. Levine and Medal of Honor recipients General Ray Davis and Colonel Carl Sitter.

At 9:30 p.m. Monday, May 28, The American Experience "Return With Honor" presents the story of airmen who were shot down over Vietnam and captured. The program, introduced by actor Tom Hanks, presents rare film footage from Vietnam's archives and features more than 20 veterans who describe their captivity and struggle to survive-mentally, physically and spiritually -- and to return with honor.

Through first-person accounts, the film describes their transformation from self-confident top-gun type aviators into prisoners of war. The men recall the harrowing moments of their capture, the many years in solitary confinement and the repeated bouts of torture. It is also the story of the women left behind, who for years did not know whether they were wives or widows.

WPT is a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Wisconsin Public Television is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV/Madison, WPNE-TV/Green Bay, WHRM-TV/Wausau, WLEF-TV/Park Falls, WHLA-TV/La Crosse and WHWC-TV/Menomonie-Eau Claire.