Savannah Guthrie left the Today studio mid-show on Tuesday, leaving Craig Melvin to fill in alongside Hoda Kotb for the rest of the show.

The 52-year-old ended her performance a little early at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s annual Heroes & History Makers Celebration, which she co-hosted with Tom Hanks at The Anthem in Washington, DC on Tuesday evening.

Hoda turned to Savannah and told viewers, “Someone needs to leave a little early. This is one of your favorite things to do every year.”

Savannah explained, “Yes, we are going to the Dole Foundation Heroes Gala tonight, it celebrates military caregivers, the people who care for our veterans, and heroes.”

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“Tom Hanks and I are doing our thing again tonight and I’ll see you on Today tomorrow morning with all of this,” she added, prompting Craig to send his well wishes. “Have a good trip down there,” he said.

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For those who don’t know, the Heroes & History Makers Celebration brings together national leaders and cultural icons to honor the service of the country’s military and veteran caregivers.

The website says: “The celebration commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and includes Hidden Heroes ambassador, actor and director Jocko Sims, a special message from Senator Elizabeth Dole and a performance by members of the American Pops Orchestra .” In the evening, a carer and her family will also be presented with a specially adapted vehicle provided by a foundation sponsor.

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The Tom Hanks Caregiver Champion Award, the evening’s highest honor, will be presented posthumously to entertainment icon and troupe entertainer Bob Hope, with his daughter Linda accepting it on his behalf.

The prestigious award was previously presented to former first lady Michelle Obama, as well as musician Tim McGraw, actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise and actor and Marine Corps veteran Adam Driver.

Both hosts, Tom and Savannah, have won the award before. While Tom was the first to receive the award, Savannah was presented with the award back in 2022 in recognition of her outstanding support of military caregivers.

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During her acceptance speech, Savannah recognized the military caregivers, whom she called a display of “courage, determination, duty, faith and hope.”

“Every person here tonight, every caregiver and veteran at home, you are showing the world what love looks like, how love works, what love gives and what love sacrifices,” she said. “It is love of country that calls our service members to duty. And it is love that drives mothers and fathers, spouses, siblings and children – to hold them and care for them when they return with visible and invisible wounds.”