Celebrate a 'Holiday for Heroes' With Lidia Bastianich

Chef and TV host Lidia Bastianich devotes her 2016 holiday special to the men and women who serve our country. Lidia Celebrates America: Holiday for Heroes premieres tonight on PBS stations around the country. It's scheduled to air at 10pm ET/PT, but, as always, check your local listings for exact times and airdates.

Lidia spends time with seven veterans around the country and asks them about their very inspiring stories, their unique cultures, and the food traditions which remained with them during the most challenging moments overseas. The programs ends with a celebratory dinner at Naval Station Norfolk (the largest in the world), where Lidia cooks for 250 active duty Navy troops aboard the USS George Washington and is joined during this celebration by ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff.

Check out clips from the program below:

Preview of Lidia Celebrates America: Holiday for Heroes

Aboard the U.S.S. George Washington

During the meal aboard the U.S.S. George Washington, veterans August Daniel, Yonas Hagos, and Marlene Rodriguez share with Lidia Bastianich and Bob Woodruff the difficulties involved in finding a purpose after the military. Lidia also tries her first MRE–Meals Ready to Eat.

Marlene Rodriquez

Marlene Rodriquez served three tours of Iraq before sustaining injuries that forced her to retire; she is one of only 500 women to be awarded the Purple Heart. In this clip she shows Lidia Bastianich her medal, and talks about what it means to her.

Bryan Anderson

Bryan Anderson served two tours of duty in Iraq before he lost both legs and his left hand to an IED. In this clip he and Lidia Bastianich cook a shrimp pasta meal together.