“When Ossie passed, they asked me if I’d host. I was flattered. This was a monumental job. So I did it. I asked my friend Gary Sinise if he’d like to come in with his band and perform. I knew Gary would react exactly the same way I did. And he did. He was so blown away by the whole weekend. He said, ‘I’ll do this as long as you want me to.’”

Among the specials will be Bryan Cranston’s tribute to those who performed in the field and at home during World War II’s raging battles both in the Pacific and in Europe.

Jena Malone will honor the generation that served in Iraq and Afghanistan and returned with crippling injuries. One of those is Marine Corps veteran and amputee Kirstie Ennis, who inspires others with her spirit and optimism in encouraging veterans to seek help when they need it.

BD Wong will commemorate the Gold Star families – those who’ve lost loved ones in service. Featured is Vietnam veteran Allen Hoe, whose two sons served in the military, one of whom was killed in Iraq.

A fan favorite is the Salute to Services introducing the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Service Color teams. Also participating are the musical members from The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, The U.S. Army Chorus, The Soldiers’ Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band, The U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, The U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants, and the Armed Forces Color Guard provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C.

The concert will also be streaming on http://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert and on YouTube and available as Video on Demand, Sunday to June 9.

Irish actress costars in 'IF"

The partially animated movie “IF” opened in theaters Friday. It’s the work of John Krasinski (who would have thought the laid-back Jim from “The Office” would turn into a film tycoon?). The show is about a girl who can see people’s imaginary friends.

Among the glittering cast is the Irish actress Fiona Shaw, who plays Grandmother. Shaw, so memorable in “Killing Eve,” is one of those actresses they hire for everything because she can literally play everything.

She tells me that she thinks that her Irish people are great storytellers and inveterate liars. “I've had a fair amount of stories told to me when you're expecting to be paid or a contract to be done or a promise to be kept. ‘Oh, yes, well the thing was, the dog ran off with it.’ Is it (this ability) something to do with the fact that if you take everything away from people it'll heighten what they have got? And the Irish were not allowed wealth and weren't allowed opportunity or language, to speak their own language, and they weren't allowed religion. But of course, nobody could stop them talking,” she smiles.

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