John Stamos’s Emotional Speech to His Son Was Our Favorite Part of 'A Capitol Fourth' Last Year
Full House star John Stamos is returning to host A Capitol Fourth on PBS for the third year in a row.
The concert, which brings together the best American performers, airs live on Thursday, July 4 at 8 p.m.
Last year, his son Billy and wife Caitlin McHugh sat in the front row - and they're expected to do the same in 2019.
For A Capitol Fourth host John Stamos, the annual holiday concert isn't about politics. The show, which is the longest-running 4th of July celebration, captures the holiday - and our country - perfectly: "It doesn't get more patriotic than this," John tells GoodHousekeeping.com.
Red, white, and blue aside, the star-studded show, as John puts it, is actually about "being proud of who we are and where we come from." In John's case, this means the concert is a unique opportunity to reflect on his own family - past, present, and future.
During his first year hosting, John opened the 2017 broadcast with a story about his Greek ancestors that sounds all too familiar: "Like so many of you, my ancestors came to this country from another land - looking for opportunity, hoping for a better life for their children, and wanting to contribute to the American dream. My grandfather, John Stamatopolous came here from Greece through Ellis Island. He shortened his name to Stamos, (a new name, for his new life, in the new land that was now his home)... and thanks to his hard work and all the blessings this country has to offer, I’m able to be here with you tonight," he said at the beginning of the concert in 2017.
17 years ago I lost my best friend. Dad, I appreciate you right now more than ever.
A post shared by John Stamos (@johnstamos) on Jul 6, 2018 at 2:30pm PDT
In a recent episode of Who Do You Think You Are, John learned that his grandfather was an orphan until the age of 13. "My grandfather was a very successful businessman as well as a proud father and grandfather, so I guess he had to make up for lost family," he said on the show. His grandfather's journey to chase the American dream, ultimately gave John two of his greatest blessings: his dad Bill and his son Billy (named after his father).
During the 2018 A Capitol Fourth broadcast, John revealed that the show now had a totally different meaning because of his son. Billy and his wife Caitlin McHugh sat in the front row to watch the star-spangled magic up close.
"This is Billy’s first July 4th and since we’re together in the nation’s capitol, Billy, this is the perfect setting for me to pass on to you, the lessons and love for this great nation that my grandfather passed on to my father... and that my father passed on to me. My son, our democracy gifts each child with limitless possibility but requires individual sacrifice. I’m going to teach you to always thank the men and women in uniform who keep us safe and secure and free. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their sacrifice that affords you, the chance to be anything you want to be. I want you to expand America’s greatness to all our people who still struggle in our country. Most importantly, I’m going to teach you to always celebrate this day as our nation’s founders wanted us to, together as a great American family, united in love of our country. Billy, you, and all of us, were blessed to be born in the greatest country in the world – and that makes me the luckiest father in the world. Now if you go home, get ready for bed, say your prayers, Daddy promises you that one day you’ll grow up to have my hair and your mother’s heart."
A post shared by John Stamos (@johnstamos) on Jun 17, 2018 at 6:43pm PDT
So, what can we expect from John at this year's A Capitol Fourth? More American pride. More music. (John tells us that he's "especially proud to honor our veterans during this year's show" with an emotional performance of a Zac Brown Band song with Wounded Warrior MusiCorps.) And most importantly, more family. "It's become the highlight of my year," he says.
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