Salute to the Nation
Saturday, May 19, 8:00 pm
Colonial Williamsburg Governor’s Palace Green

Honoring the unique spirit of America and 250 years of history. This special program features music and memories, hosted by National Memorial Day Concert host Joe Mantegna, and concludes with a fantastic fireworks display. Salute to the Nation honors all who serve our country, and will specially recognize the Wounded Warriors present.

Bring a picnic and bring your family! A military tattoo of fife and drum corps from around the nation will lead attendees in a torch-lit parade to the Colonial Capitol building following the program.

The event is open to the public.

Celebrity host Joe Mantegna

Joe Mantegna has received critical acclaim for his award-winning and highly praised performances on the stage and in numerous film and television productions. He was awarded the Tony and Joseph Jefferson Awards for his role in David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Glengarry Glen Ross. 
 
He has starred in over 90 films. Among them The Godfather III, Alice, Celebrity, Liberty Heights, Bugsy, Forget Paris, Uncle Nino, Nine Lives, Searching for Bobby Fisher and Baby's Day Out.  A baseball fan, Joe conceived and co-wrote the Off-Broadway play Bleacher Bums, which earned him an Emmy when it was subsequently produced for television. 
 
Joe is a three-time Emmy nominee, first for his portrayal of Dean Martin in the HBO special The Rat Pack, which also earned him a Golden Globe nomination. He was nominated for an Emmy for his role of Pippi De Lena in the CBS mini-series The Last Don, and in 2007 for his work in the USA network series The Starter Wife. In 2008 Joe won the Best Actor Award for his work in Elvis and Annabelle at the Newport Beach Film Festival.
 
In recent years, Joe has starred in the critically acclaimed series First Monday and Joan of Arcadia.  For 21 years he has been the voice of Fat Tony on The Simpsons.  Joe also lent his voice to Disney/Pixar’s 2011 smash hit CARS2.  He currently stars as David Rossi in Criminal Minds, as well as hosting and producing duties on Gun Stories for the Outdoor Channel.
 
In April 2011, Joe received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.