Less than a month before his planned retirement, Alan Jackson appeared during the National Memorial Day Concert, which aired Sunday (May 24).

The annual event brought together an all-star lineup in Washington, D.C. to honor U.S. military personnel, veterans, Gold Star families, and those who gave their lives in service to the country.

Alongside Jackson, performers included Jamey Johnson, Mickey Guyton, Andy Grammer, Laura Osnes, and more.

The concert, hosted by Gary Sinise and Mary McCormack, also commemorated the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Other historic milestones recognized during the evening included the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, the 85th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, and the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

During the emotional event, Alan Jackson performed his Grammy-winning song “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning),” which he famously wrote and recorded in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Alan Jackson Sings At Memorial Day Concert

A pre-recorded performance of Alan Jackson singing “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)” aired during Sunday’s National Memorial Day Concert. Before the performance began, viewers were shown emotional video clips and audio recordings from the tragic events of September 11.

Rather than attending the concert in person, Jackson recorded his performance at the Ryman Auditorium. The appearance marked the second time the country icon has performed for the National Memorial Day Concert, after previously singing “Where Were You” during the 2021 event.

The performance arrives just one month before Jackson officially retires from touring.

On June 27, Jackson is set to close out his touring career with a final concert at Nissan Stadium. The farewell show is expected to feature appearances from Little Big Town, Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, and many more artists paying tribute to his life and career.

Throughout his career, Alan Jackson has been known as a proud patriot and longtime supporter of veterans and military families, while largely staying away from overt political statements. During concerts, he frequently took time to recognize veterans in the crowd and has performed patriotic songs at numerous national events over the years.

Watch Alan Jackson sing “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)” for the 2026 National Memorial Day Concert below.