Memorial Day
Remembering and Honoring Our Heroes
Since the late 1860s, Americans have set aside a day to decorate the graves of our nation’s war heroes. Over time, this tradition evolved into Memorial Day.
Join us as we remember and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
Featured Programs
Kentucky Edition’s Memorial Day Edition
Watch a preview clip from Kentucky Edition‘s Memorial Day edition about a Kentucky soldier, Private First Class Kenneth Burgess from Central City, who served in WWII and was recently laid to rest 80 years after the war ended.
National Memorial Day Concert 2025
This annual concert honors our veterans, servicemen and women and military families. For over 35 years, this award-winning program, featuring musical performances, documentary footage and dramatic readings, has become an American tradition. Celebrities share real-life stories spanning the history of our nation’s military conflicts, popular musicians perform tribute songs and performers from the United States military choirs and ensembles are featured.
Supporting Kentucky Veterans: A KET Forum
This program honors the service of Kentucky’s military and their families. Recorded before a studio audience, host Chip Polston and a panel of military and state officials and service providers discuss veterans’ mental health issues, the status of the new VA hospital under construction in Louisville, reintegration into the civilian workforce, housing challenges, accessing benefits and more.
Tune in or Watch Now
Deception: World War II
The chronological tales of the deceptions and countermeasures used by both sides of World War II to deadly effect.
A Final Landing on Iwo Jima
A “then and now” look at Iwo Jima provides a historical context of today’s island and its desperate fight almost 80 years ago on this volcanic piece of the Japanese homeland. Follow two men as they visit the historical site.
From Honor to Medal: The Story of Garlin M. Conner
The film tells the story of Lt. Garlin Conner, whose exploits in WWII made him among the most decorated soldiers in American history, and the Kentucky community that refused to let his sacrifice be forgotten.
In Their Own Words: Kentucky Veterans of the Korean War
The tragedies and triumphs of the Korean War are revealed through the stories of local veterans.
Kentucky at War
Interviews, archival film footage, and letters tell the story of how Kentucky experienced WWII.
Kentucky at War: Desert Storm
Kentucky veterans recount their experiences in the Gulf War conflict.
Kentucky Life: The Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Frankfort pays tribute to each of the 1,103 Kentucky servicemen and women who died in the war. Veterans of the war share their memories in this clip from Kentucky Life.
Kentucky Veterans of the Vietnam War: In Their Own Words
Kentucky veterans tell their personal stories of their time in Vietnam. Nick Clooney narrates.
Miles, Morale and Memories: Bob Hope and World War II
Legendary entertainer Bob Hope and his troupe of performers traveled over 80,000 miles during WWII to entertain troops, often near frontlines in Europe and the Pacific. Examine Hope’s impact and why President Roosevelt asked some of Hollywood’s top radio and movie stars to hold a microphone instead of a gun during the war.
Kentucky WWII Veterans: In Their Own Words
Kentucky veterans of World War II recount their combat experiences.
New Leash on Life: The K9s for Warriors Story
This film highlights the journeys of three United States veterans struggling to adapt to life back home. All three suffered from PTSD after returning from serving overseas, and each has found hope through the aid of a companion dog.
The Tuskegee Airmen: Return to Ramitelli
Narrated by country music star Darius Rucker. We return to Ramitelli airfield in Italy to chronicle the legacy of WWII’s famed Tuskegee Airmen, African American pilots who helped break stereotypes and helped win WWII with their incredible fighter escorts of American bombers.
Clips
Christopher Jackson Performs “Last Full Measure of Devotion”
This performance was on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol at the 28th National Memorial Day Concert in 2017.
Cynthia Erivo Performs “Requiem for a Soldier”
This performance was held on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol at the 29th National Memorial Day Concert in 2018.
Ursula Palmer, Gold Star Wife
In this clip from The National Memorial Day Concert 2017, the story of Ursula Palmer, whose journey to find fulfillment after the loss of her husband, SFC Collin J. Bowen, sheds light on the Gold Star experience.
Featured Passport Programs
The Passport member benefit allows you to watch your favorite programs anytime, on any screen. Learn more about Passport.
After Action: Invisible Veteran
Learn the story of 66 men from Harrodsburg who fought in the Philippines during WWII and experienced the Bataan Death March.
The Seabees on Iwo Jima
Learn about the US Naval Construction Battalions in WWII, which built the infrastructure for the Allies in Europe and the Pacific. The Seabees were construction workers by trade, but had to fight at times. Their motto was “We Build, We Fight,” and their biggest test came in the battle for Iwo Jima.
Surrender on the USS Missouri
This film recounts the official Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945, which ended World War II.
The Vietnam War
Ken Burns’ and Lynn Novick’s ten-part, 18-hour documentary series, The Vietnam War, tells the epic story of one of the most consequential, divisive, and controversial events in American history as it has never before been told on film.