-Scotty, you joined the military in 2010.

And after basic training, you were deployed to Afghanistan.

Tell us about what happened in April of 2011.

-Yeah, I was on patrol in the Kandahar Province of Afghanistan.

I was the guy in the front looking for IEDs.

We made contact with the enemy, and I got shot 10 times before I was able to grab my rifle.

-Geez.

Learning to play guitar has been a part of your recovery, and now you do so much to help your fellow veterans by talking about the importance of military connection.

How does that help?

-You know, just as musicians connect with listeners through their songs, it's so important for veterans to stay connected with those they served with when they come home.

Um, and if you need help, reach out.

-For veterans and their families who want to learn more about help that is available or if you want to lend support or volunteer, please go to our website for more information.

Scotty, thank you for joining us tonight and thank you for serving our country.

God bless you.

[ Cheers and applause ] -The most fulfilling aspect of my service to the nation is when I see the flag or when I hear the national anthem and I think about when and how that anthem was written, and we were a nation at war then.

So looking back at the storied history of the U.S. military over 250 years, each time I look at the flag or see it at a sports game or on TV, I know that I'm part of something bigger than myself.

-As is a tradition from the beginning of the National Memorial Day Concert 36 years ago, we now salute all the men and women from every branch of our armed services.

Please welcome our nation's top military advisers, the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

♪♪ [ Applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ And now Maestro Jack Everly, our orchestra, and military choruses perform the "Armed Forces Medley."

Whether here or watching at home, if you're able, please stand when your service is presented.

♪♪ The United States Coast Guard!

-♪ We're always ready for the call ♪ ♪ We place our trust in thee ♪ ♪ Through surf and storm and howling gale ♪ ♪ High shall our purpose be ♪ ♪ "Semper Paratus" is our guide ♪ ♪ Our fame, our glory, too ♪ ♪ To fight to save or fight and die ♪ ♪ Aye, Coast Guard, we are for you ♪ -United States Space Force!

-♪ We're the mighty watchful eye ♪ ♪ Guardians beyond the blue ♪ ♪ The invisible front line ♪ ♪ Warfighters brave and true ♪ ♪ Boldly reaching into space ♪ ♪ There's no limit to our sky ♪ ♪ Standing guard both night and day ♪ ♪ We're the Space Force from on high ♪ -United States Air Force!

♪♪ -♪ Off we go into the wild blue yonder ♪ ♪ Climbing high into the sun ♪ ♪ Here they come zooming to meet our thunder ♪ ♪ At ‘em now, give 'em the gun ♪ ♪ Give 'em the gun!

♪ ♪ Down we dive, spouting our flame from under ♪ ♪ Off with one helluva roar ♪ ♪ We live in fame or go down in flame ♪ ♪ Hey, nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force ♪ -United States Navy!

-♪ Anchors aweigh, my boys ♪ ♪ Anchors aweigh ♪ ♪ Farewell to college joys ♪ ♪ We sail at break of day, of day ♪ ♪ Through our last night on shore ♪ ♪ Drink to the foam ♪ ♪ Until we meet once more ♪ ♪ Here's wishing you a happy voyage home ♪ -United States Marines!

♪♪ -♪ From the Halls of Montezuma ♪ ♪ To the shores of Tripoli ♪ ♪ We fight our country's battles ♪ ♪ In the air, on land, and sea ♪ ♪ First to fight for right and freedom ♪ ♪ And to keep our honor clean ♪ ♪ We are proud to claim the title ♪ ♪ Of United States Marine ♪ -United States Army!

♪♪ -♪ First to fight for the right ♪ And to build the nation's might ♪ ♪ And the Army goes rolling along ♪ ♪ Proud of all we have done ♪ ♪ Fighting 'til the battle's won ♪ ♪ And the Army goes rolling along ♪ ♪ Then it's hi, hi, hey ♪ ♪ The Army's on its way ♪ ♪ Count off the cadence loud and strong ♪ ♪ For where e'er we go, you will always know ♪ ♪ That the Army goes rolling along ♪ ♪ Rolling along ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -We are privileged to introduce the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Christopher W. Grady.

♪♪ [ Applause ] ♪♪ -And now it is our honor to introduce the distinguished Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Please welcome General Dan Caine.

[ Cheers and applause ] -Ladies and gentlemen, on this beautiful evening, would you join me in a round of applause for the people who put this event on tonight?

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ This is an extraordinary evening.

And tonight we, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stand before you with a heart full of gratitude for our fallen and their families.

More than one million Americans have paid the ultimate price in service to this great nation.

To us, they were Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen.

Our brothers and sisters in arms.

Names like Zerbe, Nick... Manion, Looney, Check... and so many others that the Joint Chiefs and I love dearly.

To their families, they were a loved one... now symbolized by a folded flag.

Children who knew their parent only through stories.

Parents who carried the unbearable weight of burying their child.

Memorial Day is a day of mourning, remembrance, and most of all, gratitude.

Gratitude for the peace we inherit from those who stepped forward into the breach oftentimes at staggering costs.

Gratitude for the lives given for liberty and democracy.

The gift of a great American example.

Our fallen and their families show us every day what real courage is like.

To the joint force, they are all heroes.

We strive to be worthy of what they gave, to live a life of service worthy of their sacrifice.

On behalf of 2.8 million men and women who proudly serve today, may we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and their families who soldier on.

God bless our fallen and their families.

May we never forget.

God bless those currently deployed protecting us back home and their families.

And may God bless the United States of America.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -Thank you for joining us on our 36th National Memorial Day Concert.

The concert will repeat immediately following this live broadcast on most PBS stations.

And congratulations to the United States Army, Navy, and Marine Corps on their 250th anniversaries!

[ Cheers and applause ] -And now it's time for our finale.

Please take out your phones, turn the flashlight on, and hold them high for all our heroes.

And join in as Yolanda Adams and our cast perform "God Bless America."

♪♪ ♪♪ -♪ God bless America ♪ ♪ Land that I love ♪ ♪ Stand beside her ♪ ♪ And guide her ♪ ♪ Through the night with the light from above ♪ ♪ From the mountains ♪ ♪ To the prairies ♪ ♪ To the oceans ♪ ♪ White with foam ♪ ♪ God bless America ♪ ♪ My home, sweet home ♪ ♪ God bless America ♪ ♪ My home, sweet home ♪ Now we ask that all of you join in.

Those of you at home, please join in with us, as well.

♪ God bless America ♪ ♪ Land that I love ♪ ♪ Stand beside her ♪ ♪ And guide her ♪ ♪ Through the night ♪ ♪ With the light from above ♪ ♪ From the mountains ♪ ♪ To the prairies ♪ ♪ To the oceans ♪ ♪ White with foam ♪ ♪ God bless America ♪ ♪ My home, sweet home ♪ -To watch profiles of the heroes featured tonight and learn more about helping veterans and military families, visit our website at pbs.org/memorialdayconcert.

Or join the conversation on social media.

-One more time!

-The National Memorial Day Concert is made possible by Lockheed Martin.

-For more than two centuries, brave Americans have served our country, protecting what matters most.

Every day, we are inspired by those who gave their all, making the ultimate sacrifice.

This Memorial Day, we pay tribute to their courage and unwavering commitment to our country.

At Lockheed Martin, we honor all those who made our future possible and keep us safe today.

-And by... -The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans honors all who serve, including 236 of its esteemed members.

Since 1947, the Horatio Alger Award has been presented to outstanding Americans who embody the American Dream built on hard work, perseverance, and success.

Through them, the association has awarded $265 million in scholarships to enable 37,000 youth to pursue their American dream through higher education.

-And by the National Park Service... Department of the Army... the Corporation for Public Broadcasting... 84 Lumber, dedicated to honoring and hiring U.S. veterans.

Learn more about career opportunities at 84lumber.com.

General Dynamics.

And by contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you.

Thank you.

-♪ God shed His grace... ♪ -You're watching PBS.