Lidia Celebrates America: Holiday for Heroes

In the moving documentary special, 'Holiday for Heroes', internationally-acclaimed chef and food ambassador Lidia Bastianich pays homage to the men and women of our military and the truly life-saving sacrifices they make daily for our freedom.

Yonas Hagos (Yorkville, IL) is a retired army staff sergeant who came to the USA from a refugee camp in Sudan at 10 years-old; he is also a Purple Heart recipient. In this clip Lidia tries Yonas's mother's wonderful cooking.

Bob Woodruff, the acclaimed ABC news anchor injured by an IED in Iraq, talks about his experience.

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.

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.

Willie Sherrer struggled with alcoholism and homelessness before being accepted to Culinary Command, an elite program that trains vets in new careers as cooks; today he owns a barbeque enterprise in New England.

Veteran Bryan Anderson explains the army tradition of creating desserts from leftover dessert rations, for their comrades celebrating birthdays. Lidia then shares her dessert, Limoncello Tiramisu with him – a fanciful homage to the MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) birthday cakes created by his platoon.

During the meal aboard the U.S.S. George Washington, veterans 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.

August Dannehl is a retired navy sailor who, after being honorably discharged, trained as a filmmaker. With a passion for cooking, August works to create feasts that celebrate other vets. Here, he and Lidia have created a meal to honor veterans Edith Casas, Mike Dowling and Bryan Anderson.