SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, has produced, in association with David Letterman's production company Worldwide Pants Incorporated and Lookalike Productions, a PBS primetime special, "Coming Home: Military Families Cope With Change," featuring Queen Latifah, John Mayer and Elmo.
A special preview screening of the half-hour special will be held at VFW Post 755 here in Springfield for interested families.
The program tells the story of service members, who return home with injuries, visible and invisible, and explores the heroic struggles their families face in discovering ways of finding a "new normal."
It salutes the extraordinary courage and strength of these military families and offers the general public a powerful glimpse into the lives of these amazing families. The special will air nationwide on PBS at 8 p.m., April 1, 2009 (check local listings) in conjunction with the "Month of the Military Child."
"This is a fantastic opportunity for us to bring awareness to the struggles of service members facing combat-related injuries, and what their families go through," said Army Capt. Mindi Ernst, the State Family Programs director. "We are so thrilled to show the community "Coming Home" and help them look for ways to reach out."
The impact of the first video, "Talk, Listen, Connect" inspired Sesame Workshop to create another program. "(It) will further champion the needs of the military community and will help these families, community members, and the general public find ways to be there for each other," said Gary E. Knell, the president and CEO of Sesame Workshop.
"The men and women of our military have made indescribable sacrifices," said David Letterman. "The very least we can do is tell their stories, and to honor the bravery and strength of both the soldiers and their families."