Veterans Day 2014 in the United States is Tuesday, Nov. 11. Originally celebrated as Armistice Day, a day meant to commemorate the end of World War I (and still celebrated as such by some other countries, including France), Veterans Day in the U.S. has become a date on which all who have served in America’s armed forces are recognized and remembered.
As always, there are a number of TV programs airing in honor of Veterans Day. Here is some of the notable Veterans Day 2014 TV programming. All times are Eastern.
A Salute to the Troops: In Performance at the White House — Nov. 7 at 9pm on PBS (check local listings). This special, which will be recorded on Nov. 6 from the South Lawn of the White House, is an all-star tribute to the men and women who serve the United States. President and Mrs. Obama will host the event, which features performances by Mary J. Blige, Common, John Fogerty, Willie Nelson, Romeo Santos, and active duty military members U.S. Army SGT. Christiana R. Ball, U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Matt Smith and Capt. John Ed Auer (Smith and Auer are pictured above). The production is also working with the USO, for a performance by Daughtry via satellite of their USO concert at Yokota Air Base in Japan, as well as a live-viewing audience of troops from the USO Warrior and Family Center at Fort Belvoir in Virginia — both to be included in the White House concert and the broadcast. (Program subject to change.) Prior to PBS’ airing, the Nov. 6 White House concert, including President Obama’s remarks, will be streamed live on whitehouse.gov and pbs.org/whitehouse starting at 7:25pm on Nov. 6.
ESPN networks Veterans Day programming — Nov. 8-14 on ESPN networks. ESPN’s sixth annual America’s Heroes initiative will include live, daylong SportsCenter coverage from The Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio (Nov. 11); ESPN2’s First Take from a military hangar at Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst in New Jersey (Nov. 10); and the Armed Forces Classic (Louisville vs. Minnesota) from the U.S. Coast Guard’s Air Station Borinquen in Puerto Rico (Nov. 14). Among those providing daily “Shout Outs” via vignettes to the troops are: Andrew Luck, Tom Brady, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Nick Saban, Kevin Sumlin, Jeff Gordon and Diana Taurasi. On Sunday NFL Countdown (Nov. 9), the network will highlight the connection between the military and the NFL via a feature on the pre-game military flyovers. In their own words, top coaches, players and the pilots from Super Bowl XLVIII’s flyover discuss the significance of the tie between the military and the NFL.
Duty, Courage, Honor Week — Nov. 9-16 at 8pm on American Heroes Channel. For one whole week, every day will be Veterans Day on the American Heroes Channel. To heroes who bravely served our country, selflessly stepping into harm’s way to defend the greater good, AHC dedicates eight days of military programming with its first-ever Duty, Courage, Honor Week. Spanning generations of service across major military events of the past century, the stunt features extraordinary stories of real-world heroism, distinguished courage, and personal sacrifice, highlighted by premiere programming including The Real Inglorious Bastards (Nov. 11 at 10pm) and D-Day to Victory: Battle of the Bulge (Nov. 15 at 10pm).
Ice Warriors: USA Sled Hockey — Nov. 10 at 10pm on PBS (check local listings). This 90-minute documentary spotlights personal stories and heroics of the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey team. The game has been nicknamed “Murderball on blades,” and the U.S. team includes four athletes who are “wounded warriors” who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. They went on to win gold at this winter’s Paralympic Games in Sochi.
Vietnam in HD — Nov. 11 from 8am-2pm on H2. Three episodes of the excellent series chronicling the Vietnam War, with restored footage presented in high-definition.
Best Vets Movie Marathon — Nov. 11 from 9am-5:30am on AMC. A day of war movies, including U-571, We Were Soldiers, Heartbreak Ridge and The Green Berets.
Doc McStuffins: “Training Army Al” — Nov. 11 at 9:30am on Disney Junior. In this Veterans Day episode, Doc encourages her toy friends to find comfort and strength when their pal, the soldier action figure Army Al, is called to duty and will soon be separated from them – if even for a trip into the woods with Donny’s scouting troop. First Lady Michelle Obama is hosting a private screening of this episode at the White House for military families on Nov. 10 as part of the Joining Forces initiative.
The Price Is Right — Nov. 11 at 11am on CBS. The game show will salute our nation’s heroes with a special episode to honor their service. Hosted by former Marine Drew Carey, an audience filled with former U.S. service members will have the opportunity to win big, including a brand new car, a trip to Australia and $80,000 in cash.
Salute to Service — Nov. 11 from 12pm-8pm on Sportsman Channel. As part of the network’s Salute to Service initiative, Sportsman Channel airs a day of programming dedicated to veterans and the armed forces. Gary Sinise serves as network spokesman for Salute to Service.
Beyond the Battlefield — Nov. 11 at 3pm on Sportsman Channel. In a four-part special, Team Trophy Quest and Wounded Warrior Project team up to make wounded veteran Eric Edmundson’s dream of becoming a professional hunter come true. Follow along on his three-month excursion across the United States in pursuit of wild game.
The World Wars — Nov. 11 from 5pm-11pm on H2. A re-airing of History’s recent series about the 30-year stretch from World War I through World War II, and how it changed the world.
MTV’s Got Your 6 — Nov. 11 at 5pm on MTV. This new, Millennial veteran-focused documentary seeks to shine a light on the unique experiences of young soldiers and Marines returning home from active duty. The program will air in partnership with leading veteran empowerment campaign, Got Your 6. Additionally, MTV will commemorate and cover Veterans Day from a unique Millennial perspective all day, on-air and across its editorial and social platforms in an effort to leverage attention to post-911 servicemen and women.
MURPH: The Protector — Nov. 11 at 6pm on Sportsman Channel. Family and friends tell the story of Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy, a man who gave his life during Operation Enduring Freedom and eventually was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
The Concert for Valor — Nov. 11 at 7pm on HBO and online. This concert honors America’s veterans and their families, and airs live from the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The concert will feature a broad array of talent from the worlds of music and entertainment, including Jack Black, The Black Keys, Bryan Cranston, Eminem, Jamie Foxx, Dave Grohl, Jennifer Hudson, Jessie J., George Lopez, Metallica, John Oliver, Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood, Bob Woodruff and Zac Brown Band, as well as special appearances by Tom Hanks, Will Smith, Steven Spielberg, Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon among many others. If you don’t have HBO, you can watch a live-stream of the concert powered by Ustream at TheConcertForValor.com and via @HBO or @TwitterTV on Twitter. An audio feed of the concert will also be simulcast live on nearly 70 iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide, and on a customized “Concert for Valor” digital station on iHeartRadio. The American Forces Network will deliver the concert to American servicemen and women, the Department of Defense and other U.S. government civilians and their families stationed abroad via their worldwide radio and television broadcast networks.
Texas softball — Nov. 11 at 7pm on Longhorn Network. The game between the University of Texas and The Sun City Veterans group (ranging in age from 64-82 and based north of Austin) will feature veterans umpiring the game. A different group of veterans will be honored each inning including the Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Army and Marine Corps.
That Which I Love Destroys Me — Nov. 11 at 7pm on Pivot. This documentary focuses on post-traumatic stress disorder through the eyes of two returning veterans. This film offers an uncensored look into the lives of Tyler Grey (Delta Force) and Jayson Floyd (Army Ranger) as they return home from the Middle East and overcome obstacles as they adjust to civilian life.
Veterans Day — Real Life Heroes Movie Marathon — Nov. 11 beginning at 8pm on TCM. A lineup of war films based on real-life personalities, including The Fighting Sullivans (1944), Pride of the Marines (1945) and Patton (1970).
Navy SEALS — Their Untold Story — Nov. 11 at 9pm on PBS (check local listings). This program recounts the ticking-clock missions of the “Commandos of the Deep” through firsthand accounts — including that of a D-Day demolition team member — and through never-before-seen footage, home movies and personal mementos. Admirals, master chiefs, clandestine operators, demolitioneers and snipers reveal how U.S. Navy SEALs morphed into the world’s most-admired commandos.
A Hero’s Welcome — Nov. 11 beginning at 9pm on Scripps Networks. This hourlong special centered on the celebration of the Hawaiian homecoming of a wounded serviceman, will air on all six of Scripps Networks’ cable channels. It first airs at 9pm on Food Nework, then repeats at 10pm on Cooking Channel and Great American Country, and then again at 11pm on DIY Network, HGTV and Travel Channel.
The Real Inglorious Bastards — Nov. 11 at 10pm on American Heroes Channel. Revealing the incredible, true inspiration behind Quentin Tarantino’s film Inglourious Basterds, this program tells the story of Jewish-American refugees from Nazi Germany who went boldly behind enemy lines to seek vengeance. Through vivid first-person accounts from the OSS veterans, gripping dramatic reconstructions, CGI and archive, the intrepid trio’s hair-raising Operation Greenup is brought to life, revealing one of the most successful and daring covert operations of World War II.
TakePart Live — Nov. 11 at 10pm on Pivot. This special episode all about veterans features special guest host Lieutenant Commander Andy Baldwin, a US Navy physician and humanitarian. The show will highlight issues facing veterans with a roundtable discussion. Also joining will be Mickiela Montoya, a female combat veteran who currently works with the Veterans Administration and has addressed Congress on programs concerning veteran homelessness.
The American Veterans Center Awards Show — Nov. 15 at 5pm on REELZChannel. The American Veterans Center Honors takes place over Veterans Day weekend in Washington, D.C. Those recognized will be heroes of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam along with those who have served on the front lines today. Gary Sinise, Joe Mantegna, Lorraine Bracco, Mark Valley, Taylor Kitsch, and Pat Sajak are among the Hollywood stars to share the stories of heroes from the last 75 years of American military history. The American Veterans Center Honors 2014 Honoree are: Audie Murphy Award- WWII to Lt. Colonel James “Maggie” Megellas, United States Army, known as “The Most Decorated Officer in 82nd Airborne History,” Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star; Audie Murphy Award- WWII, 101st Airborne Division, United States Army, recognized on the 70th anniversary of D-Day, Operation Market Garden & their legendary stand at Bastogne; Raymond Davis Award- Korea, The Borinqueneers, United States Army, the decorated Puerto Rican regiment, recently voted the Congressional Gold Medal; Joe R. Hooper Award- Vietnam, United States Army, Vietnam War veteran, Green Beret, and Medal of Honor recipient; Paul Ray Smith Award- Operation Iraqi Freedom, SFC Joe Kapacziewski, United States Army, U.S. Army Ranger, first Army Ranger to return to active combat with a prosthetic limb; Michael P. Murphy Award, Sergeant Dakota Meyer, United States Marine Corps, Marine Corps, veteran of Afghanistan and recipient of the Medal of Honor; Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Wings of Valor Award, presented by Lt. Col. Richard E. Cole (Jimmy Doolittle’s co-pilot, Plane #1) and Lt. Col. Edward Saylor (Engineer, Plane #15), Lt. General Susan J. Helms, United States Air Force, NASA Astronaut, crew member of Space Shuttle Endeavor, the first U.S. military woman in space and world record holder for the longest spacewalk at nearly nine hours; Lillian K. Keil Award for Women’s Contributions to the Military, Elinor Otto, “Rosie the Riveter”, nearly 95-years-old, and building airplanes since 1942.
D-Day to Victory: Battle of the Bulge — Nov. 15 at 10pm on American Heroes Channel. In this special episode of the series, under-armed and under-prepared U.S. infantry divisions find themselves fighting off the best of the German army in the inaccessible hill and forest country of the Ardennes.
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A Salute to the Troops: In Performance at the White House: Courtesy of Frazer Harrison/ACMA2014
Navy SEALS — Their Untold Story: Courtesy of www.SEALSWCC.com
