Memorial Day Weekend TV Specials



See Information on the INSP New Movie Mini-series
"Courage, New Hampshire" below....



Memorial Day Weekend TV Specials :

TCM salutes the Military with a Memorial Day Marathon:


3 Days and 72 hours of War Movies on TCM. Starting May 25th at 6 AM (est) and concluding on May 28th, early Tuesday Morning! Marathon also includes a salute to John Wayne whose birthday was May 26th.

Please see the entire list of movies on TCM’s web-site.


Major American Sporting Event:

The Indianapolis 500

Live from Indianapolis, Indiana – May 26th on ABC at 12 PM (est)


National Memorial Day Concert 2013:

May 26th - Live at 8 PM (est) on PBS
(repeats at 9:30 PM - please check your local PBS listings for exact times and any other possible repeat airings!)

From the U.S. Capitol's West Lawn, the National Memorial Day Concert is co-hosted for the eighth year by Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna (“Criminal Minds”) and Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise (“CSI: New York”), two acclaimed actors dedicated to supporting veterans and troops in active service.

The National Symphony Orchestra and a number of other music artists and groups perform in order to honor the men and women serving and who have served in America's armed forces around the world, including the 12 Season winner of American Idol: Candice Glover (who will perform the National Anthem), Katherine Jenkins, Chris Mann, and more...

On the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, the broadcast will honor the profound sacrifices of the proud veterans who fought and perished in this “forgotten war.”

The Concert will also pay a special tribute to the “Greatest Generation”, honoring Actor and decorated WW II veteran Charles Durning.

Mr. Durning was also a longtime “National Memorial Day Concert” speaker, contributor, and supporter of the Military. During the event they will feature stirring remembrances of him.

(Details via PBS.) (Please click here, if you would like to read my tribute to Charles Durning.)


Noteworthy @ the Opry

GAC MAY 25th at 1:00 PM
Repeats MAY 26th at 12 AM, 10 AM, 7 PM

A Musical "Military Salute"

(Note: This Country Music Memorial Day Concert first premiered last year - May 26, 2012.)

"Noteworthy at the Opry" presents a special Memorial Day weekend celebration in honor of the men and woman in uniform, with performances by top artists including Rascal Flatts, Kellie Pickler, Montgomery Gentry, Alan Jackson, Ronnie Milsap and more.



Courage, New Hampshire - 4 hour Miniseries Movie Premiere!

INSP MAY 27th, starting at 7 PM (est) (See All 4 Hours!)

Then for four nights, starting May 28th thru May 31st...
see an hour each night!

MAY 28th at 8 PM (est) Part 1
MAY 29th at 8 PM (est) Part 2
MAY 30th at 8 PM (est) Part 3
MAY 31st at 8 PM (est) Part 4

This powerful drama depicts daily life for families, tradesmen and British officials living in the early 1770 American township during the turmoil just before the Revolutionary War. The people, politics and intrigue of the time are presented with historical detail, bringing this significant period in America to vibrant life once more.

Please visit my Courage, New Hampshire page for more details!

May you all have a Blessed and Safe Memorial Day Weekend!

God bless America and our Veterans!

THANK YOU!

Remembering Charles Durning

On what would have been his 90th Birthday... we remember Actor, Charles Edward Durning. Mr. Durning was a great character actor who performed in over 200 Movies, tv shows, and plays.


February 28, 1923 – December 24, 2012


You may know Charles Durning from:

Movies: The Sting, Dog Day Afternoon, O Brother, Where Art Thou?

TV Movies: Captains and the Kings, Death of a Salesman

TV Series: Evening Shade, and a recurring role on Everybody Loves Raymond

Christmas Movies: Mrs. Santa Claus, A Boyfriend for Christmas

(and many more, here)

Charles Durning, who portrayed a wonderful Santa Claus, passed away on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2012.

Durning was born in Highland Falls, New York, the fourth of ten children. His four brothers James, Clifford, Frances, and Gerald Durning survived to adulthood, but his five sisters lost their lives to scarlet fever and smallpox as children. His mother, Louise was a laundress at West Point, and his father, James Durning was an Irish immigrant who gained U.S. citizenship by joining the army. Durning was raised Catholic, and was at one time considering becoming a priest. (excerpted from Wikipedia)

In his mid-teens, Durning left home to find work. He had a series of factory jobs before he discovered acting. As an usher, Durning got first-hand experience in vaudeville at a Buffalo, New York theater. (biography.com)

As well as having a great acting career, we honor Mr. Durning for being a WWII veteran and his service to our country. Drafted at age 21, he was first assigned as a rifleman with the 398th Infantry Regiment, and later served overseas with the 3rd Army Support troops and the 386th Anti-aircraft Artillery (AAA) Battalion. Durning participated in the Normandy Invasion of France on D-Day, June 6, 1944, and was among the first troops to land at Omaha Beach. (Wikipedia) Durning suffered machine gun wounds to his right leg and shrapnel injuries over his entire body. He also received eight stab wounds from a German soldier, whom he killed with a rock in hand-to-hand combat. As the lone survivor in his unit, Durning was immediately shipped to England to recover, and returned to the frontlines for the Battle of the Bulge in late 1944. (TCM biography) Captured during the Battle of the Bulge, Durning managed to survive a massacre of American soldiers being held in Belgium. (biography.com)

In recent years, Mr. Durning would honor our Veterans by being a honored guest speaker at the National Memorial Day Concerts in Washington, D.C. For his valor and the wounds he received during the war, Durning was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, three Purple Heart medals, and the World War II Victory Medal. (Wikipedia)

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Durnings three children, family, and friends.

On this day... we fondly remember this Legendary Actor and American Hero.

Charles Edward Durning