Forrest Gump star Gary Sinise, Trace Adkins, Natalie Cole and American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez will be among the celebrities paying tribute to U.S. troops at this weekend's (27May12) annual Memorial Day eve TV special from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
The telecast, which will be hosted by actor Joe Mantegna, will also feature new mum Selma Blair recounting the words of a young war widow.
Mantegna tells WENN, "She lost her husband in Afghanistan (and) has children. My friend Dennis Franz will be recounting the words of a Vietnam veteran who became homeless and what he had to deal with.
"As we do every year, we tell these true life stories with the real people in attendance... It's why we have Memorial Day and take this day aside in this country to honour those who served this country."