Multiple networks are set to honor the troops on Veterans Day, presenting a host of series of documentaries, awards, tributes and more. Discovery Communications and Education, six Scripps Networks Interactive outlets, AHC, ESPN, Sportsman Channel, Reelz, INSP, HBO and Pivot are just some of the programmers involved.
The National Military Family Association, a nonprofit that works to protect military families, has paired with Discovery Communications for three Veterans Day events in New York City. A fundraiser reception, a comedy show and a float in the annual America's Parade will be included to support the troops and their families.
Six Scripps Networks Interactive outlets will roadblockA Hero’s Welcome (pictured), a special program that aims to honor one of our nation’s most deserving heroes in the biggest, most emotional, most memorable way imaginable. After serving his country for more than 25 years and recovering from life-threatening injuries, Staff Sergeant Tony Woods is preparing to retire from the military. He will return home to discover, with the help of Food Network’s Robert Irvine, HGTV’s Genevieve Gorder and Gary Sinise, the actor, humanitarian and founder of the Gary Sinise Foundation, a completely renovated house for Tony and his family to retire comfortably. Airing on Veterans Day across Food Network, HGTV, Cooking Channel, DIY Network, Travel Channel and Great American Country (click this link for primetime schedules), surprises and emotions will be on display as the team races around the clock to make sure they are ready to say “Welcome Home!”
The American Veterans Center Honors awards show will air on Reelz to honor the U.S. military on Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. Humanitarian Gary Sinise, Joe Mantegna, Lorraine Bracco, Mark Valley, Taylor Kitsch and Pat Sajak are some of the stars who will share the heroes stories over the past 75 years.
Sinise will also host the start of Sportman Channel's, Salute to Service initiative sponsored by Bravo Company, which will air the documentary MURPH: The Protector, back-to-back episodes of Beyond the Battlefield and an hour of NRA NEWS Cam & Co. The channel will also begin voting for the best in outdoor television for the 2014 Sportsman Choice Awards on Nov. 10.
American Heroes Channel will dedicate eight days of special programming in November, with the premiere of The Real Inglorious Bastards on Nov. 11 at 10 p.m. and a new episode of D-Day To Victory on Nov. 15 at 10 p.m. The shows are among the highlights of "Duty, Honor and Courage Week."
ESPN plans to air a week of programming as well with the sports giant's sixth annual America’s Heroes initiative. Live, day-long coverage will take place with ESPN2’s First Take at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey on Nov. 10 and the Armed Forces Classic from the U.S. Coast Guard’s Air Station Borinquen in Puerto Rico on Nov. 14.
Pivot is set to premiere That Which I Love Destroys Me on Veterans Day, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m., to honor troops coming home with PTSD. Ric Roman Waugh’s documentary follow Veterans Tyler Grey (Delta Force) and Jayson Floyd (Army Ranger) through their personal and family struggles with the disorder.
The short film Not Forgotten will also premiere on Nov. 11 to tribute the POW/MIA service members on INSP, in partnership with The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration.To view a screener of Not Forgotten, click here, and enter the password:moment.
HBO is set to air The Concert For Valor, a live show saluting America’s veterans from the Mall in Washington, D.C., at 7 p.m. (ET) on Veteran’s Day. Artists scheduled to perform include The Black Keys, Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood, Eminem and Metallica.
Discovery Education has taken a different route to commemorating the veterans, providing the first live, global, virtual field trip from the historic Tower of London. To honor the armed forces and Remembrance Day in the UK and Canada, students from the U.S. and Canada will have the opportunity to get a closer look into the First World War.
Sony Movie Channel has turned its “Mandays,” “The Recline” and “Friday Features” blocks to critically-acclaimed war films, military classics, and modern favorites. The month-long tribute is highlighted by the 2nd Annual “21 Film Salute Marathon,” as SMC honors Veterans Day with a two-day event starting Saturday, Nov. 8 at 5:20 a.m. ET, through Sunday, Nov. 9. The channel will present the 1982 miniseries The Blue and The Gray on Thanksgiving Day at 8 p.m. ET.
