Lt. Dan Band gives free show at D-M

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Timothy Moore
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band played a free show for the Desert Lightning Team and community here March 29.

The band held the performance to show their support for veterans, military volunteers and their families.

"I've been to so many bases, around the country and around the world," Sinise said. "I'm always constantly impressed with the people who are serving our country in all the services. This is a way that I can give back."

Approximately 2,500 people attended the event, including active duty members, civilian Department of Defense employees, family members and gold-star families from each military branch.

The band covered several songs from past and current artists. Sinise and the band honored the gold-star families and the troops they have lost by dedicating a song to them.

Before the performance, Sinise toured the base visiting several units, and getting a glance at the mission they do. He also spent time at the Tucson VA Hospital.

Several members from the VA Hospital, as well as several wounded warriors, were granted front-row seats to the show.

"I've seen Gary's work with the Wounded Warrior Project, across DoD, supporting our soldiers, sailors, Airmen and Marines with USO shows, donations and his time," said Col. Kevin Blanchard, 355th Fighter Wing commander. "The fact that he came here to play for the DLT: I couldn't ask for anything more."

Sinise shows his support for U.S. troops by performing with the band in his spare time at USO shows, and he has also created the Gary Sinise Foundation.

The Gary Sinise Foundation creates and supports unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen and build communities supporting the nation's troops and veterans.

According to the foundation's website Sinise said, "While we can never do enough to show our gratitude to our nation's defenders, we can always do a little more."

For more information about the Lt. Dan Band and the Gary Sinise Foundation, visit their websites at www.ltdanband.com and www.garysinisefoundation.org.