Dear Friends, Partners, and Distinguished Guests, 
 

It is my pleasure to welcome you to our Sixth Annual Comcast NBCUniversal Memorial Salute.  

These past two years have been unlike any other. Because of the commitment of our police, fire, first responder, military, and veterans’ communities, joined during the pandemic by dedicated frontline healthcare workers, our city and our nation have emerged from an unexpected pandemic. We could not be more grateful to the men and women who made this possible. Memorial Salute is dedicated to the service community, to those of you here tonight who serve and to your families. Tonight, we honor your sacrifices. 

Each year, through the generous support of our partners at Comcast NBCUniversal, we are able to present free Salute Series performances for Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day and Christmas. Our Salute Series is at the heart of who we are, and it helps us bring music and celebration on holidays of American tradition.  This year, we were fortunate to present a streamed performance of our annual Christmas Salute and of Independence Salute. The streams are sent to the American Forces Network for transmission to our overseas service personnel and to the ships at sea of the US Navy and Coast Guard. 

Looking ahead, The Philly POPS will continue the Salute Series with POPS on Independence on July 3rd. The POPS will return to Independence Mall after two years indoors for a patriotic free concert in partnership with the Wawa Welcome America Festival.
 
I look forward to welcoming you in July and back in the concert hall this fall for our 2022-23 Subscription Series. 

As always, see you at the POPS!