American Idol Caleb Johnson of Asheville sings National Anthem at National Memorial Day Concert

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Newly crowned American Idol Caleb Johnson opened the National Memorial Day Concert on the lawn of the Capitol Sunday evening with his rendition of the National Anthem, according to bizjournals.com. Check out the video.

This year was the 25th anniversary of the concert. More:

He will join the previously announced list of performers, which includes co-hosts Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise, Colin Powell, Jennifer Nettles, Dianne Wiest, Danielle Bradbery, Megan Hilty, Jackie Evancho, Anthony Kearns and Gerald McRaney, as well as the National Symphony Orchestra.

The concert was broadcast on PBS from 8-9:30 p.m. on Sunday. A bit more from pbs.org:

As one of PBS’ highest-rated programs, the multiple-award-winning television event has become an American tradition, honoring the military service of all our men and women in uniform, their families at home, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

The concert’s mission is to unite the country in remembrance and appreciation of the fallen and to serve those who are grieving. Executive Producer Jerry Colbert says, “We think of the agony of the mother or father who lost a child, the spouses and children left behind, the people who are wounded in body and soul. And we do this memorial service to remember and reach out to them. We must remember their sacrifices and continue the mission set forth by Abraham Lincoln to ‘care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.’”

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

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