|
And thou shalt Honor
Thursday, May 8 8:00-10:00pm
www.wedu.org/caregiving
And Thou Shalt Honor documents an exciting new stage in our cultural development. While the huge increase in the number of caregivers in our society can be said to be a result of the success of medical technology, it also represents a breakthrough in our growth as an extended family.
During the second half of the 20th Century, advances in medical technology made it possible for individuals to survive for years with diseases and chronic conditions that would have made a rapid death just a few years before. Though laudable, this created a new population of persons in need of caregiving ... and, therefore, a new population of caregivers.
Many, if not most, of us will be both in our lifetimes -- caregiver and the cared-for. We may slip into these roles so gradually that we scarcely realize it. Or, as the social scientists say, we may not self-identify.
And Thou Shalt Honor examines the various aspects of caregiving in a warm and caring documentary coming to WEDU in May 2008.
National Memorial Day Concert 2008
Live from Washington D.C.
Sunday, May 25 8:00-9:30pm
PBS will unite our nation in honor of all of America’s men and women in uniform for their service and sacrifice with this annual presentation. The event will be led for the third year by co-hosts Gary Sinise (“CSI: NY”) and Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna (“Criminal Minds”), two acclaimed actors who have dedicated themselves to veterans’ causes and supporting our troops in active service.
This year, the event will pay special tribute to the veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam and the sacred war memorials built in their honor in Washington, DC. Actor and decorated World War II veteran Charles Durning, a longtime participant in the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT, will also be recognized for his bravery and sacrifice as part of the “greatest generation,” who stepped forward in a time of need. The valor of the country's newest veterans will be honored through an examination of the bonds that buddies form on the battlefields of Afghanistan.
The television event will feature a mix of dramatic readings, documentary footage and live musical performances, along with an all-star line-up of dignitaries, actors and musical artists. This includes music legend Gladys Knight, classical crossover soprano and star of the stage Sarah Brightman, Best Actress Tony Award-winner Idina Menzel (Wicked , Rent ), actor and comedian Denis Leary (Rescue Me ), country music star Rodney Atkins, actor and singer John Schneider, actress Gail O'Grady, film and television actress Caitlin Wachs, General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) and Charles Durning, the quintessential character actor and recipient of the 2007 Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. The National Symphony Orchestra will be performing under the direction of top pops conductor Erich Kunzel. The event is broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, before an on-site audience of hundreds of thousands and is viewed by millions more at home. It can also be seen overseas by U.S. military personnel in more than 175 countries and aboard more than 200 U.S. Navy ships at sea on American Forces Radio and Television Network.
|
|
