WASHINGTON, April 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — For more than 20 years, PBS has been proud to honor the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform, their families at home and all those who have given their lives for our country with the annual broadcast of the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT.  The multi award-winning event, broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, will be co-hosted for the fifth year by Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise and Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna, two acclaimed actors who have dedicated themselves to veteran’s causes and supporting our troops in active service.  The 21st annual broadcast of THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT will air live in HD on PBS Sunday, May 30 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET (check local listings) before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network.

Joining co-hosts Sinse and Mantegna will be an all-star line-up of dignitaries, actors and musical artists that to date includes: distinguished American leader Colin L. Powell USA (Ret.); Oscar, Golden Globe and multiple Grammy award-winning music legend and humanitarian Lionel Richie whose distinguished career includes over 100 million records sold; Grammy, CMA and ACM Award-winning country music artist Brad Paisley; acclaimed actor Dennis Haysbert; classical crossover artist Katherine Jenkins; three time Tony-nominated Broadway star Kelli O’Hara and Grammy-winning gospel/adult contemporary superstar Yolanda Adams in performance with the National Symphony Orchestra (additional talent to be announced).

Gary is a scheduled panelist for an USO forum at Texas A &M which will be hosted by George Bush, 41st president of the United States, and Mrs. Barbara Bush.  The event is scheduled for Monday, April 26 at 4 p.m. in the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center at the George Bush Presidential Library Center at Texas A&M University.  The event celebtates the USO and its role in lifting the spirits of America’s men and women in uniform and their families. 

The event will include remarks from the panelists about the ongoing mission of the USO and an audience question-and-answer session. The forum will be followed by a reception and screening of the award-winning film “The Lt. Dan Band: For the Common Good,” which will be hosted by Jonathan Flora, the film’s director.

Other than Gary, event panelists include Mayra Veronica, singer and model; Major General Jeffery W. Hammond, U.S. Army, chief of staff of U.S. Forces Command; and Sloan Gibson, the 22nd president and CEO of the USO (United Service Organizations).

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Gary stopped by the Fender 2010 Showcase currently underway in Anaheim, CA and chatted with Tony Franklin:

Follow the Fender Showcase via their blog here.

In October 2009, Gary was honored by the Iraq Star Foundation, at their Night for Stars benefit.  The foundation is a non-profit organization that provides reconstructive surgery to American soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan wars and is funded entirely by public donations.   

In conjunction with the event, TLC’s American Chopper:OCC  was asked to build a bike to benefit the foundation.  The video just below includes comments from Gary, a few scenes from the show and clips from the charity event! Watch to see Gary (and Moira) and pay close attention — sale of the bike raised $100K for the foundation!

The entire American Chopper episode (which aired in December 2009) is available at Amazon.com.

This evening in Los Angeles, Gary, and those who inspire him, took part in the First West Coast Advanced Tribute Screening of Jonathan Flora’s documentary feature, Lt. Dan Band: For The Common Good.

The Lt. Dan Band: For The Common Good is a moving documentary feature film that celebrates America’s heroes and chronicles the journey of Academy Award nominated actor, Gary Sinise.  By following Gary and his band around the world for over a year and a half, including Iraq and Kuwait, Flora introduces the audience to many of the heroic first responders, the brave men and women in uniform, their families and the many wonderful citizens that support them.
 
The documentary has an amazing soundtrack and special appearances by numerous celebrities, including John Ratzenberger, Melina Kanakaredes, Mykelti Williamson, Connie Stevens, and Academy Award Winners, Jon Voight and Robert Duvall.  Produced and directed by Hollywood filmmaker and 82nd Airborne Veteran Jonathan Flora, this film is that rare movie that entertains even as it inspires.

The first Advance Tribute Screening was held last month in NY on board the USS Intrepid during the weekend of 9/11 for over 1100 first responders, military personnel, and their families.  

Information as to when and where the documentary will be released to the public will be posted when  available.  

Special thanks to J. Treese for sharing this news.

Gary and the Lt. Dan Band performed at the USO-Illinois Star-Spangled Gala this past weekend in Chicago. The event is held each year to honor and support the men, women and families of the U. S. Armed Forces.  Proceeds from the event help support the USO of Illinois including 4 USO centers in the Chicagoland area and more than a 1000 programs and services offering support to military members and families throughout the state of Illinois. 

Long-time Sinise fan, Glenda C. attended the Gala (thanks to sponsorship from Operation Homefront-IL for her volunteer efforts).  Glenda has kindly shared a few of her photographs from the evening:   

For anyone in the New York City area this week, a reliable source shares that CSI:NY is shooting at the Battery Park Heliport on Tuesday.  The time is unknown but probably a.m.  Gary should be there, but please keep in mind things like this are always subject to change.

The August issue of American Way magazine features an excellent article about Gary.  The entire piece is available on-line here.

Thanks to Jerry C. for the tip!

This past weekend Gary and the Lt. Dan Band participated in West Point’s celebration of the U.S. Army’s Year of the NCO (noncommissioned officers) by performing a free public concert at Eisenhower Hall Theatre, West Point, New York.   This was a very special weekend for Gary and his family as they have a strong personal connection to West Point.

Gary’s brother-in-law, Lieutenant Colonel Boyd McCanna (”Mac”) Harris not only graduated from West Point, but, after 2 tours of duty in Vietnam, was an instructor of Military Leadership at the Point.  In the 1980s, Lt. Col. Harris wrote the Army’s “Leadership Manual,” and much of it is still used today.   After Lt. Col. Harris passed away from cancer at the age of 40, an award was named in his honor.  Every year, West Point gives out a leadership award to the outstanding cadet in the name of Lt Col. Harris.  This was the first time in many years that Gary and his family attended the award ceremony.

A few photos from ceremony and Lt. Dan Band show are below:  

Click on photos to enlarge.   

On June 10th Gary joined the Operation Gratitude volunteers at the National Guard Armory in Van Nuys to assemble care packages and send greetings of love and respect to U.S. service members deployed overseas.

Operation Gratitude is the California-based 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer organization that annually sends 100,000+ care packages of snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in hostile regions such as Iraq and Afghanistan and on Naval ships at sea.   Its mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member’s face and to express the appreciation and support of the American people.  Since its inception in March 2003, Operation Gratitude has shipped more than 450,000 packages to American military deployed overseas.

Below are a few photographs of Gary with volunteers and service members taken during his visit (click on photos to enlarge).

To see all the photographs of Gary’s visit and to learn more about the efforts of Operation Gratitude, please visit their website: click here,