Sinise Rocks Pentagon, Supports Troops (LT Dan)

American Forces Press Service ^ | Fred W. Baker III

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2008 – Award-winning actor and part-time rocker Gary Sinise and the "Lt. Dan Band” jammed for a standing-room-only crowd in the courtyard of the Pentagon today.

Hollywood actor and part-time rocker Gary Sinise performs at the 4th Annual America Supports You Military Tribute Concert as part of the Military Appreciation Month celebrations. Sinise and “The Lt. Dan Band” jammed for a standing-room-only crowd packed into the courtyard of the Pentagon. Defense Dept. photo by Fred W. Baker III  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

“Rocking at the Pentagon,” Sinise exclaimed mid-set for a much-appreciative audience.

The band played for the 4th Annual America Supports You Military Tribute Concert as part of Military Appreciation Month celebrations. The event was televised live to troops overseas via American Forces Network.

“The opportunity to reach out and make a difference, just for a few minutes if for nothing else, in the lives of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen deployed all around the world is something that is very special and a great opportunity,” said Marine Gen. General James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The crowd was packed with soldiers, family members, civilians and veterans. Overcast skies eventually gave way to the sun, and the audience warmed up to the mix of rock, pop, and country music by clapping, waving their arms and tapping their feet on the ground muddied by an overnight rain.

Sinise and his band have toured military bases in Europe, and he has performed in Iraq three times. He heads back for his fourth trip this summer. Stateside, the band tours bases and plays on weekends when Sinise is not filming his hit TV drama, “CSI NY.” Sinise has played at about 75 installations worldwide.

“It’s very, very important that you know you are appreciated and that we’re grateful and that we’re not going to forget the sacrifices that you and your families make for our nation,” he said. “We want everybody who is watching this around the world to know that we’re here supporting you. We believe in you. We are depending on you. You are our volunteer defenders, and we never take that for granted.”

Toward the end of the concert, Sinise broke from the stage and went into the crowd, dancing and playing with members of the audience. He sat next to wounded warrior Marine Lance Cpl. Jeremy Stengel sitting in the front row and, while playing, asked how Stengel was recovering. The Marine said the concert was a good break from his recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here. Stengel was injured in Iraq on Feb. 2, 2007, by a roadside bomb,

“I thought it was awesome. I thought it was amazing,” Stengel said. “It’s a break for us to get away from the hospital scene. We’re at the hospital going through therapy day in and day out. We kind of need a break.”

Sinise also sidled next to Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Rene Rubiella, from 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. Rubiella joined in with a little “air” guitar of his own.

Rubiella was at the Pentagon following a ceremony in which he received the President’s Volunteer Service Award. “It’s extraordinary. We commit our lives to freedom and supporting the Constitution,” he said. “It’s people like Gary that turn around and make us feel that we are appreciated and that we are loved and that there is a commitment from our nation that we are not forgotten,” Rubiella said.

This was Rubiella’s first time at the Pentagon. He has volunteered for multiple tours to Iraq. “I am so grateful that people take the time to commit, to volunteer their time and put on these events for our entertainment. I had a ball,” he said. “It just means the world to you. It reaches your heart.”

One of the most vocal members of the crowd, delivering several loud, appreciative “whoops” of support at the end of the show as the band played the finale “Proud to be an American,” was Army Lt. Col. Scott Turner.

“I just think it’s great what Gary does. I think he’s a true patriot,” Turner said. “I’m very hopeful that he’s reflective of all the men and women of the nation. And it’s just great that he would take his time to come out and support the troops.”

Biographies:
Gen. James E. Cartwright

Related Sites:
Photo Essay: Troops Jam at Pentagon Tribute Concert
Photo Essay: Gary Sinise, "Lt. Dan Band" Hold Concert in Pentagon Courtyard
America Supports You
Photo Essay: Gary Sinise, "Lt. Dan Band" Hold Concert in Pentagon Courtyard

	Army Capt. Karla Wenninger, center, gets up on stage with other members of the crowd in the Pentagon courtyard as The “Lt. Dan Band” gets them involved in one of their songs during the 4th Annual America Supports You Military Tribute Concert. Defense Dept. photo by Fred W. Baker III.   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution
	Hollywood actor and part-time rocker Gary Sinise plays next to wounded warrior Marine Lance Cpl. Jeremy Stengel during the 4th Annual America Supports You Military Tribute Concert at the Pentagon. Stengel was injured in Iraq Feb. 2, 2007, by a roadside bomb.    Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution

[Carl LaFong]

Lt. Dan rules !!

[FlingWingFlyer]

It has been years and I’m still PO’d that Gary didn’t get the Oscar for his portrayal of Lt. Dan. I haven’t watched the Commie Oscars since.

[jimfree]

Gary plucks a mean bass and his band does a great show. Saw them in DC in 06 or 07.

[Enchante]

Good thing Lt. Dan isn’t still out catching shrimp — we need him for events like this!

[DarthVader]

Gary Sinise is a class person and great American.

[Fiddlstix]

Gary Sinise
Bump

Class Act!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Thank you, Lt. Dan!
That’s just awesome!

[ConorMacNessa]

Way to go, Lt. Dan!

[DustyMoment]

Bravo, Gary!! Rock on.

I KNEW I liked him for a reason.

[Bobalu]

[pandemoniumreigns]

Getting down into and with the crowd of wounded soldiers is all one needs to know of this mans commitment to Americas finest...Thanks Gary... you are a true patriot....

[wastedyears]

Jeez, how the heck did they get in the courtyard of the Pentagon?

[cake_crumb]

He’s a really great guy, and that’s a really great band. I think I’ll go over and donate some more money to Operation Iraqi Children.

[SandRat]

When you truly Support the Troops doors magically open to you.

[Know et al]

Patriotism is as patriotism does. Thank you Lt Dan.

[wastedyears]

Understood

[dcwusmc]

VetsCoR and Wounded Warrior ping.

[ops33]

I had to explain to my wife what a “FNG” is?