Military Channel's Tribute to the Troops Features Memorial Testimonies From Families Celebrating the Lives of Fallen Service Members

Military Channel's Tribute to the Troops Features Memorial Testimonies From Families Celebrating the Lives of Fallen Service Members

SILVER SPRING, Md., Aug. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, August 25, the Military Channel is dedicating an entire day of programming to the service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice and the families who have been left behind. Military Channel will feature tribute-vignettes throughout the day that highlight the lives of these soldiers through stories and memories told by their loved ones. The day will culminate with a commercial-free hour of these memorial testimonies titled TRIBUTE TO THE TROOPS from 10-11 PM (ET) on Saturday, August 25.

The TRIBUTE TO THE TROOPS messages were recorded at a recent event in partnership with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a support network for surviving family members of those who have died in service to America. TAPS is one of the charities that Military Channel viewers can assist by visiting ReconnectAmerica.com to help their fellow Americans in uniform.

In the tributes, family members talk about their favorite memories, what they miss most about their loved ones and the enduring impressions. Kristen Hullum, sister of Marine Sgt Bryon Norwood says, "I want America to know that these men and women who gave their lives are not just numbers. They are each somebody's loved one. I want them to see us and truly understand the cost of freedom."

Military Channel will present programming throughout the day, including compelling documentaries and series such as ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, OPERATION HOMECOMING, WAR WOUNDS, and Military Channel's popular series, MY WAR DIARY, which features user-generated video captured directly by the troops themselves. MY WAR DIARY will feature two world premiere episodes from 7-8 PM (ET). The half-hour shows feature unedited and unfiltered video footage and still photography shot entirely by members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. The footage runs the gamut from soldiers in their downtime to harrowing scenes of roadside bomb attacks and ambushes.

   SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, PROGRAMMING (all times ET):   9 AM - 10 AM: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY  

From its beginnings as the gracious home of General Robert E. Lee to its current incarnation as America's most hallowed ground, Arlington National Cemetery's ever-evolving history tracks that of our nation. Through war and peace, triumph and tragedy, Arlington has emerged as a beacon of honor and reverence for the enduring American spirit. The cemetery is one of the most visited sites in our nation's capital -- a place that is both sobering and inspiring. On more than 600 acres overlooking our nation's capital and less than three miles from the White House, over 275,000 people rest in peace there, and millions come to pay their respects.

10 AM - 3 PM: OPERATION HOMECOMING

An uplifting series that tells the story of a soldier's homecoming. Soldiers on their second tour are going to be returning home. Many of these troops will be arriving to grateful throngs of friends and relatives waiting in Ft. Hood and Ft. Stuart. This show personalizes these emotional homecomings and celebrates the individual stories of strength, courage, anticipation and finally ... reunion.

3 PM - 8 PM: MY WAR DIARY (Two World Premieres, 7-8 PM)

Unfiltered stories from the frontlines of Iraq, told by personal videos and photos sent by those serving in the Armed Forces. Each episode will present a broad range of the life in Iraq, from downtime, to the emotional strain from being far from home, to gripping never-seen-before scenes of battle. From 7-8 PM, MY WAR DIARY will feature two world premiere episodes.

8 PM - 10 PM: WAR WOUNDS (Network Premieres)

This powerful documentary, WAR WOUNDS, follows the rehabilitation of injured service members from the Iraq War. The first hour, WAR WOUNDS: WOMEN FIGHTING ON, explores the unique perspectives of three wounded female soldiers. The second hour, WAR WOUNDS: HOME AND STILL FIGHTING, chronicles the recovery of four servicemen with a variety of physical injuries. These documentaries illustrate that healing is a communal effort including the families, faiths and communities of these service members, who have to adjust to their wartime injuries back on the home front.

10 PM - 11 PM: TRIBUTE TO THE TROOPS (World Premiere, Commercial-Free)

Family and friends give heartfelt tributes to loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. TRIBUTE TO THE TROOPS is a compilation of these heartfelt tributes recorded at a recent event with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a support network for surviving family members of those who have died in service to America.

About Military Channel

The Military Channel brings viewers compelling, real-world stories of heroism, military strategy, technological breakthroughs and turning points in history. The network takes viewers "behind the lines" to hear the personal stories of servicemen and women and offers in-depth explorations of military technology, battlefield strategy, aviation and history. As the only cable network devoted to military subjects, it also provides unique access to this world, allowing viewers to experience and understand a world full of human drama, courage, innovation and long-held military traditions.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications is the number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Through TV and digital media, Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks include Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, The Science Channel, Discovery Health and Discovery HD Theater. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Co. (NASDAQ:DISCA) (NASDAQ:DISCB) , Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information please visit http://www.discoverycommunications.com/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Military Channel

CONTACT: Denise Arrigali of Military Channel, +1-678-580-1245,
DArrigali@comcast.net

Web site: http://www.discoverycommunications.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: To download photos go to http://www.press.discovery.com and login or register and click on Military Channel; TRIBUTES. Screeners and interviews available upon request.

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Profile: International Entertainment