C-SPAN recently aired the Celebration of the USO forum which was held on April 26th at the George Bush Presidential Library Center. Hosted by George H. Bush, the event celebrated the USO and its role in lifting the spirits of America’s men and women in uniform and their families. Panelists other than Gary included Mayra Veronica, Army Major General Jeff Hammond, and USO President Sloan Gibson. Video of the forum is available on C-SPAN.org: Celebration of the USO.
Also, below is a photograph of Gary at the Operation Support Our Troops-Illinois (OSOTIL) kickoff in early May courtesy of Wayne Brzycki (and a few from previous concerts). Gary’s appearance at Navistar’s headquarters in Warrenville helped kickoff the ticket sales for the annual Rockin’ for the Troops concert, now in its fifth year. Read more here.
Gary Sinise at OSOTIL Kickoff 2010
Everyone in uniform appreciates a note of thanks:
Rockin’ for the Troops 2009 Rockin’ for the Troops 2008
Many thanks to Wayne Brzycki for sharing his photographs!
Gary Scheduled Panelist for USO Forum at Texas A&M
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).
“Lt. Dan Band: For The Common Good,” a Documentary Feature
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:
Camp Casey & Yongsan Garrison Photos and On the Road with Kimo Blog
Gary and the Lt. Dan Band have been performing for troops in Korea the past few days as part of their Summer USO tour. On June 27th, the band performed for soldiers, families and friends at Camp Casey. Below are a few photos of the show taken by Diane Howard.
According to Diane, Major General Morgan presented the Lt. Dan Band with a little memento from Warrior Country.
All photos of Gary Sinise (above) taken by Diane Howard. Used with permission.
On June 29th, the band performed for more than 1000 soldiers at Youngsan Garrison. Click hereto read Cpl. Choi Keun-woo’s coverage of the show and see additional photos. This shot of Jeff, Kimo and Gary (immediately below) is a sample:
(U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Choi Keun-woo)
And finally, check out additional behind-the-scenes photographs and commentary about the tour by Gary’s friend and co-founder of Lt. Dan Band, Kimo Williams at On the Road with Kimo Williams.
Photo of Kimo Williams taken by Diane Howard. Used with permission.
Thanks so much to Diane for graciously sharing her photographs with the News page.
Video of Gary at THR USO Function; Gary and Lt. Dan Band USO Summer Tour
As some of you may have already known, Gary attended a USO function hosted by Hollywood Reporter and Editor Elizabeth Guider in Beverly Hills last month. Video of Gary speaking at this event recently became available and is embedded below:
Some terrific still photographs of Gary at this event are available at CSI:Fanatic click here.
And while we are on the topic of Gary’s commitment to the USO, he and the Lt. Dan Band will soon be off on their USO Summer Tour (June 21st through July 5th) to perform for troops in Korea and Okinawa. We wish the band a safe journey and hope the men and woman in uniform have a fantastic time at the shows!
Since the USVAP fundraiser at Joe’s in April, Gary has been busy as usual. A few loyal Gary fans and friends have graciously shared their photographs from various events, and despite our lag time getting the photos uploaded to the News page, we hope you enjoy them just the same:
With thanks to Glenda Cain, photographs taken of the Lt. Dan Band performance at the Steppenwolf Theatre Gala on April 19, 2009:
From Liz Wegman we have photographs of Gary and M*A*S*H’s Jamie Farr taken in May at the OIC warehouse. Thank you, Liz!
And saving the best for last ~ fantastic photographs from Virginia Hagin taken at the Lt. Dan Band show at Ft. Riley in May:
Thanks again to Glenda, Liz and Virginia for sharing their photographs!
