The Concert for Valor Tuesday night from Washington, D.C. was indeed the first of its kind, reminding the estimated 800,000 visitors at the National Mall and millions of HBO subscribers that Veteran’s Day was a day for remembrance and gratitude– and that most of us are incredibly lucky.
For the millions of veterans who have served, and the families who have also sacrificed, they did not need a reminder about the price of freedom. For them, it was a time to take pride in their journeys, and celebrate with some of the biggest names in music, movies, and television.
“Valor is a powerful word… and it resides in those good and simple decent things we do for one another,” said Meryl Streep, from a huge breathtaking stage of lights and screens set up in the backyard of the Capitol. This was more spectacular than even the Fourth of July set up we see every year. “And valor is at work here too tonight as we honor the 2.6 million new veterans who have served since 9/11.”
Let’s think about this: 2.6 million Americans have served, volunteering in wars that are still not over– and they make up only one-percent of our population. I wouldn’t be surprised if more people in attendance didn’t feel just a little bit of a disconnected from the realities of military life. Most of us are very much protected from knowing what it’s like to be a veteran. And I am thankful to have a choice, but still enjoy American freedom. That one percent has made that possible for us.
The Mall itself was lined with huge jumbotrons and a sound system that was so loud and clear that it made me question (for a second) if the singers were really performing live. Jennifer Hudson launched the 7:00 pm show with a flawless rendition of The National Anthem, looking a little more bundled up than necessary for the nearly 70-degree weather. Standing outside, sardined against a million of your closest friends becomes a lot more enjoyable when the weather is comfortable unlike other historical but freezing cold events like Inauguration.
Jamie Foxx then reminded us that while there is not yet a memorial in D.C. to Afghanistan and Iraq veterans, we need to find ways to tell our troops thank you.
“That’s what Veteran’s Day is all about,” Foxx said. “We aren’t just messing around here.”
And after a recorded thank you message from President Barack Obama, the music was kicked off again by Jennifer Hudson and Jessie J. belting out “Titanium”, originally by David Guetta (feat. Sia).
Between musical performances, emotionally gripping videos highlighted stories of veterans of different backgrounds and ages who overcame challenges before, during, and after serving the United States. Intro’d by celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Reese Witherspoon, and Will Smith, these stories were about how veterans overcame all kinds of obstacles with bravery and strength. These Americans didn’t let limitations like age, gender, or physical loss stop them from achieving great things and inspiring those around them. Other veterans came back from their service and continued to find new ways to serve their country, like creating multi-generational change for minority students, or providing disaster response to civilians here at home.
Army Master Sergeant Cedric King, a soldier who lost both his legs after stepping on an IED 2 years ago in Afghanistan, went on to complete a half Ironman. His words were, “I want to send a message to those guys that wanted to hurt me. You wanted to kill me, but you made me stronger.”
One of the highlights of the show was when Bruce Springsteen, Dave Grohl, and The Zach Brown Band teamed up and covered CCR’s “Fortunate Son.” Generally an anti-military song, it seemed to be a nod to those who, unlike during the draft era of Vietnam, are now are part of a majority who don’t have to go to war for our country. It was strangely patriotic; like a new emphasis and new definition of the word “fortunate.”
.@Springsteen takes the stage with Dave Grohl & @ZacBrownBand to perform “Fortunate Son” at #TheConcertForValor. http://t.co/8aslj74BIH
— HBO (@HBO) November 12, 2014
And the show wasn’t even halfway over.
Event organizers knew that just playing a video profiling a hero was not enough. Each highlighted veteran was in attendance last night, and sitting in a VIP area at the concert. The celebrity that introduced them to the crowd also reminded the audience to visit theconcertforvalor.com and gave shout outs to a related organization that is helping support veterans in a spectrum of ways: helping them find communities, supporting their medical needs, donating to their families, and just being of service to the men and women who have already served each of us.
There was a moment of light-heartedness on stage when John Oliver described his experience traveling with the USO and shared how impressed he was with the “high class trash talking” he heard from such a group of people who love each other– mostly pointing to the smack the Army and Navy servicemen talk about the Air Force and vice versa.
Really, the show is a wild series of name dropping:
The Black Keys had everyone dancing and howlin’, but as we overheard from a neighbor in the crowd, it was the American Sign Language interpreter during their set who “was killing it!” It’s true, the show was entertaining, but the signers who were perched on a small platform on 7th Street, were a spectacle to watch.
Bruce Springsteen had the crowd clamoring for “BRUUUUUUUCE” which unfortunately really sounded more like booing or mooing if you were in the audience. Springsteen asked everyone to “take all these men and women home with you in your hearts,” before launching into his last song, 1984’s “Dancing in the Dark.”
The beautiful Carrie Underwood caused the most craned necks as the men in the crowd strained to get a glimpse of her.
We also heard from First Lady Michelle Obama, Jack Black, and George Lopez. No matter your political affiliation, age, or background, there was something in this show for you to connect with– and hopefully be called to a small action in return.
And the visuals captured by HBO were incredible. The extravagant light show on stage, a camera on Lars Ulrich’s drum set, and of course the cranes that revealed the sea of people on the Mall — we got the details and the big picture of this show.
The loudest cheers came when Bryan Cranston introduced Rihanna. “Diamond” had an arrangement of distinctive military drumming for the occasion.
Metallica had shook the house (or should we say both Houses?), but it was Eminem who brought down the barricades as the last performance of the night. Yes, the crowd at 7th Street stormed the metal barricades holding us back from the closer area of the lawn– at that point it was just about 9:30 pm, and I have a feeling security was more focused on preparing for the mass exodus that was soon to come at the show’s end.
“HAPPY MUTHA FUCKIN’ VETERANS DAY,” shouted Eminem (which was greeted by controversy in the next day’s media coverage). He didn’t seem to mean it in a disrespectful way. How could he? He had just thanked our veterans, and asked that we also thank all those who didn’t make it back home.
“Valor arises in many circumstances… and it’s found in those courageous acts that leave us in awe,” said Meryl Streep at the beginning of the show. This Concert for Valor may have been fun and inspirational, but it is still to be seen what kind of acts all of us will do in our own ways to thank our veterans beyond just one day and one impressive concert in November.
The full show is now available to stream via HBO GO.
Article and Photos by Cristina Rayas and Toby Mues