A Heartfelt Holiday Tribute: Kennedy Center Honors America’s Military
In the heart of Washington, D.C., the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall stands ready to host one of its most treasured holiday traditions—the annual “Notes of Honor: NSO Salutes the Military” concert. This sold-out spectacular represents far more than just a musical performance; it’s a heartfelt tribute to the men and women who serve our nation in uniform. With the National Symphony Orchestra at its center, the event brings together active-duty service members, veterans, and military families for an evening designed to celebrate their sacrifices and bring some holiday joy to those who often spend the season separated from loved ones. As one military spouse waiting for the doors to open remarked, “This feels like a gift—to be in a room where everyone understands what this life is like, especially during the holidays.”
The concert’s program strikes a powerful balance between festive celebration and patriotic reverence. Featured vocalist Melinda Doolittle, who has performed for troops around the world, brings a personal connection to the evening’s music. “I’ve met families who sacrifice more than we ever see, and service members whose bravery inspires me long after the music ends,” Doolittle shared with genuine emotion. “It’s a privilege to join this concert and offer even a small expression of the gratitude they deserve.” The evening’s centerpieces include a special arrangement of “Stars and Stripes for Christmas” and the traditional Armed Forces Service Song Medley—a highlight that invites members of each military branch to stand when their service anthem plays, creating waves of pride that ripple through the Concert Hall as attendees recognize their brothers and sisters in service.
This year’s “Notes of Honor” concert takes on additional significance as it unfolds during a time when many military families are navigating unique challenges. With ongoing deployments, financial pressures that often intensify during the holiday season, and the emotional weight of separation, military families shoulder burdens that most civilians rarely see. Kennedy Center organizers have intentionally crafted this year’s program to emphasize joy and American pride, recognizing that for many attendees, this evening represents a rare opportunity to celebrate amid difficulty. The free tickets offered to all active-duty service members, veterans, retired personnel and prior-service members with valid military ID were claimed rapidly, demonstrating the community’s hunger for such recognition.
Principal Conductor Steven Reineke’s enthusiasm for the event is palpable. “Our annual ‘Notes of Honor’ holiday concert is absolutely one of my favorite traditions with our National Symphony Orchestra,” he explained during a break in rehearsals. “It fills me with such gratitude and warmth to be able to give even a little something back to the brave men and women of our armed forces and their families. I know that many of them have had to be away from their families during past holidays, so it’s incredibly special to celebrate the spirit of the season with all of them.” During rehearsals, this dedication was evident as Reineke worked meticulously with the orchestra and chorus, ensuring every note would honor those in attendance with the excellence they deserve.
The Kennedy Center’s commitment to military families extends beyond this single concert. As a cultural landmark in the nation’s capital, the Center has increasingly recognized its role in bridging civilian and military communities. This year’s event marks one of the Kennedy Center’s first major military tributes during President Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Trump, who serves as the chairman of the Kennedy Center—a historical first—has dedicated funds to the venue in his “One, Big Beautiful Bill.” Behind the scenes, staff members work year-round to create programming that welcomes military families and recognizes their unique experiences. From the ushers greeting attendees with warm smiles to the meticulous planning that ensures accessibility for wounded warriors, the entire production reflects a deep institutional respect for military service.
What makes the “Notes of Honor” tradition particularly meaningful is that for one evening, the Concert Hall becomes a space where nearly the entire audience shares a common bond of military service. The partnership with aerospace and defense firm RTX helps make this possible by covering costs so tickets can be offered free to service members. As the house lights dim and the first notes fill the air, something remarkable happens—strangers become family, united by experiences few others understand. Senior military leaders sit alongside newly enlisted personnel, veterans of conflicts decades past find themselves next to active-duty families, and for a few hours, rank and division fall away. In the glow of holiday lights and surrounded by music that celebrates both the season and their service, these military families receive something precious: recognition that their sacrifices matter, that their service is valued, and that even in a time of division, gratitude for their commitment to country remains something all Americans can share. As the final notes fade and attendees file out into the December evening, many carry with them not just programs or memories, but the renewed strength that comes from knowing they are truly seen and appreciated.
