American Idol's Jessica Sanchez Added To National Memorial Day Concert

Sanchez will perform the "National Anthem" as well as her rendition of "The Prayer" (by Celine Dion) on the National Memorial Day Concert, airing live in HD on PBS on Sunday, May 27.

The concert will take place on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET, before an on-site audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network.

This performance is especially significant to Sanchez given that she has military connections in her own family. Her father, Gilbert Sanchez, has served several tours of duty in Iraq and Kuwait with the U.S. Navy and is currently stationed in Singapore. Sanchez's grandfather Edward M. Bugay, a retired Navy veteran, will accompany his granddaughter to Washington, D.C. to watch her live performance with the on-site audience at the U.S. Capitol.

"It's an amazing experience especially since my dad and my grandfather are both part of the military in the Navy so, I feel like I'm a part of it too. I'm really excited and I can't wait to give thanks. They fought for our country and it means a lot to be able to sing in front of all those people," said Sanchez.