Plot Synopsis

Each year since 2018, celebrities, servicemen and entertainment industry insiders come together to pay tribute to those in "the media and entertainment community who have shown extraordinary support for the nation's troops and veterans." The first three events were untelevised luncheons. Since 2020, History Channel has aired a one-hour SALUTE TO SERVICE special on Veteran's Day, with the televised programs focusing on honoring the contributions of veterans and military families, while showcasing companies and non-profit organizations that help veterans transition to civilian careers and pursuits.

Held on January 11, 2018, the inaugural event, presented by National Geographic and hosted by Jeff Glor, honored five people: Caroline Hirsch for creating "Stand Up for Heroes"; activist Wes Moore; journalist Martha Raddatz; actor Rob Riggle; and Mikal Vega, technical consultant on the TV series THE BRAVE.

The next luncheon began the tradition of November events, with Martha Raddatz hosting the 2nd annual SALUTE TO SERVICE on Monday, November 12, 2018 at Cipriani Broadway in Manhattan. Honorees were: Montel Williams, Bob Woodruff, Dana Delany, Ken Burns, and Rachael Ray.

Hosted by Jim Axelrod, the third annual SALUTE TO SERVICE took place on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at Manhattan's Cipriani Broadway. Presented by History Channel with the USO as lead sponsor, the luncheon featured these honorees: SEAL TEAM cast and crew, with David Boreanaz accepting; Altice USA CEO Dexter Goei; U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard; Meghan McCain; Norah O'Donnell; Lou Diamond Phillips; Donnie Wahlberg; and Shaun White.

The fourth annual SALUTE TO SERVICE was the first event that was televised on 2020 Veteran's Day (Wednesday, November 11) at 10pm ET/PT on History Channel. The special featured celebrity presenters -- including Jake Gyllenhaal, Trace Adkins, Kevin Bacon, Tamron Hall and Morgan Feeman -- and highlights philanthropic organizations including the USO and the Gary Sinise Foundation. Also being honored is Team Rubicon, a disaster-relief organization founded in the wake of the 2010 Haiti earthquake by Marines Jake Wood and William McNulty. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this event was solely an on-air tribute with no in-person component.

Hosted by Robin Roberts, the fifth annual SALUTE TO SERVICE debuted on 2021 Veteran's Day (Thursday, November 11, 2021) at 9pm ET/PT on History Channel. Participants include President George W. Bush, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Strahan and Bob Woodruff, along with Retired Army Sgt. Travis Mills, who founded the Travis Mills Foundation; Navy veteran Steven Rho, who launched Big Future Toys; and more.

The 6th annual SALUTE TO SERVICE premiered as a one-hour special on 2022 Veteran's Day (Friday, November 11) at 8pm ET/PT on History Channel, hosted by Seth Meyers. Honorees include Retired Marine Corporal Kenny Bass, who founded the Battle Buddy Foundation; Retired Marine Captain Steve Jimenez, who started the bee conservation organization Hives for Heroes; and other veterans, like Justin Matejcek, Dan Filer, Beau Rodriguez, Brooke Jackson Kahn, Cliff Hagan, Muria Nisbett and more.

For the fourth consecutive year, History Channel broadcast a one-hour SALUTE TO SERVICE. This year, Marine Corp and Navy veteran Montel Williams hosted the event on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 7pm ET/PT. Honorees include: Elton Hart (Fmr GMM3, U.S. Navy; Optimum); Nate Boyer (Fmr Staff Sgt., U.S. Army; Merging Vets & Players); PT Bratton (Fmr Staff Sgt., U.S. Air Force; Armed Services Arts Partnership); Dana Cummings (Fmr Cpl., U.S. Marine Corps; AmpSurf); Christy Gardner (Sgt., U.S. Army (Ret.); Mission Working Dogs); Cedric King (Master Sgt., U.S. Army (Ret.); Gary Sinise Foundation); and Jeremy Locke (Sgt. 1st Class, U.S. Army (Ret.); Aerial Recovery).
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The 2024 SALUTE TO SERVICE special debuted on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 9pm on PBS (check local listings). Hosted by Mickey Guyton, SALUTE TO SERVICE 2024: A VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION features performances from musical guests, including country legend Craig Morgan, nine-time Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride, trombone-playing singer-songwriter Aubrey Logan, and active-duty soldiers from the United States Army Field Band and their musical ensembles -- the Six-String Soldiers, the Jazz Ambassadors, the Concert Band, and the Soldiers' Chorus -- who pay tribute to all six branches of America's Armed Forces.

SALUTE TO SERVICE 2024 also features uplifting personal stories from distinguished veterans, including Medal of Honor recipients retired Army Major General Patrick Brady, who flew 2500 combat missions and helped rescue more than 5000 wounded in Vietnam, and Captain Florent "Flo" Groberg, recognized for his heroic acts in Afghanistan. Both men express that the Medal of Honor is not about one individual.

Viewers also get to experience the emotional journey of Honor Flight veterans, meet a Space Force Guardian, visit with members of the Coast Guard on fast-response cutter USCGC Forrest Rednour, and learn what it's like to serve miles underwater in a submarine from Navy veterans from World War II to the present. SALUTE TO SERVICE 2024 also follows the remarkable story of Colonel Danielle Ngo, who escaped Saigon as a child and dedicated over 30 years of service to the U.S. Army. She expresses appreciation to the Honor Flight veterans at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, where the Soldiers' Chorus performs an a cappella version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The U.S. Army Field Band closes the program with John Mackey's "Sacred Spaces," commissioned by and dedicated to the Field Band.