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Uses his stardom to ‘do a little more’ Gary Sinise began providing free performances and dinners for Vietnam veterans — what he called “vets nights” — in the late 1970s, long before he was a household name thanks to his Oscar-nominated portrayal of the man who loses his legs in the jungles of Vietnam. Even before he portrayed Lt. Dan Taylor, the Vietnam commander saved by Forrest Gump from certain death in the 1994 best picture winner, the Chicago native and co-founder of the iconic Steppenwolf Theater knew he had to do something to give back to America’s heroes. “I...

“Not for fame or reward; not for place or for rank; not lured by ambition or goaded by necessity; but in simple obedience to duty, as they understood it. These men suffered all, sacrificed all, dared all, and died.”   Today’s Memorial Day post is dedicated to our country’s fallen heroes; the 1.4 million men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in wars waged across centuries in order to preserve the principles of freedom and liberty. And to brighten your day I offer a couple rays of light into our sometimes very cloudy skies:  two amateur videos that...

Official Online Launch July 4th! Thank you for taking time to stream the movie and support the cause. When you stream "Lt. Dan Band: For The Common Good" - one out of every four dollars will be donated to The Gary Sinise Foundation which honors our nations defenders by supporting the USO, Operation International Children, Snowball Express, and other such charities and efforts that support the military, first responders and their families. Thank you for helping us give back to those willing to give all!

You can sign up in advance to see the film July 4th, here.From the official website:When you stream “Lt. Dan Band: For The Common Good” – one out of every four dollars will be donated to The Gary Sinise Foundation which honors our nations defenders by supporting the USO, Operation International Children, Snowball Express, and other such charities and efforts that support the military, first responders and their families. Thank you for helping us give back to those willing to give all! Good man. Good band. Great cause. We’ll have much more to come on the film, but for now...

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the GI Film Festival at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. The Festival took place in one day and showed films that portray American enlisted men and women in a favorable light as opposed to the usual Hollywood fare. This festival was an offshoot of the main GI Film Festival which takes place in May every year in Washington D.C. The main event lasts seven days and includes showings of approximately 50 films. This was a one day shortened version in which the crème of the crop were exhibited. You can...

In this exclusive FOX News documentary, actor and activist Gary Sinise shares the "on the road" experiences he had last summer in Iraq while visiting American troops. Some 25 hours of his adventure was captured verite style with a handheld camera. Sinise does his best to meet his goal of what he says is "5000 handshakes, 2000 miles in seven days." The personal footage captures heartfelt meetings between Sinise and the troops in Kuwait and the Iraqi cities of Al Qaim, Al Asad, Ramadi and Baghdad.

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...

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2008 – Oscar-nominated actor and director Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band will perform a concert in the Pentagon Courtyard Friday, May 16 at noon as part of Military Appreciation Month. Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. James Cartwright, and Department of Defense's 'America Supports You' program will be hosting the event. Military Appreciation Month is a nationwide observance honoring current and former members of the armed forces, including those who have died in service of our nation. Sinise is renowned for his role as Lt. Dan in the movie "Forrest Gump," and...

5/18/2007 - SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany (AFPN) -- Everywhere he goes, actor Gary Sinise is recognized as Lieutenant Dan from the movie "Forrest Gump." It was this recognition that gave him the inspiration for his band name: The Lt. Dan Band; a tool that Mr. Sinise uses to support the men and women in the Armed Forces by playing overseas tours and stateside through the United Service Organization, or USO. The Lt. Dan Band performed at Spangdahlem Air Base May 15 wrapping up the band's 2007 European tour. They played five shows throughout Belgium and Germany. "The show was great...

Lt. Dan Band featuring Gary Sinise - Special Engagement Saturday, July 22 8:00 pm Parade Field We are pleased to announce a concert performance by Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band to benefit our Troops! The concert will be held on the grounds of Cantigny at 8 pm on July 22, 2006. Actor, director, producer, and star of the highly rated CSI:NY, (Wednesdays, 9 pm CST on CBS), Gary Sinise is a dedicated supporter of the USO. He is the recipient of many awards including the 2004 Above and Beyond Patriot Award from the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum...

2/1/2006 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFPN) -- Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band received rave reviews from the more than 1,500 Luke Airmen who attended a free United Service Organizations concert Saturday night. Well known for his “Forrest Gump” character “Lt. Dan”, Gary Sinise and his band, the Lt. Dan Band, played a variety of music from classic rock to current popular tunes. "I was surprised they covered so many awesome songs," said Staff Sgt. David Velasquez, 56th Aerospace Medicine Squadron medical technician. This was the second tour at Luke for Mr. Sinise and the band. "Incredible...