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!
Photos of Lt. Dan Band at Joe’s (USVAP benefit concert)
On Friday, April 17th the Lt. Dan Band played to a sold out crowd at Joe’s Bar in Chicago. Each year this particular concert is a fundraiser for the United States Vietnam Arts Program which has expanded its mission to include providing “artistic tools” to wounded service members from Iraq and Afghanistan wars (read more about USVAP here).
During the concert, “artistic tools” were presented to Shane Parsons and Laura Narvaez. Shane suffered a head injury and above knee amputation to both legs while serving in Iraq. Laura suffers from traumatic brain injuries as a result of incidents while serving in Iraq and Korea; she cannot read or do math and has short term memory loss. To help them heal in ways not visible to many of us, the USVAP presented Shane with a guitar to pursue his childhood dream of playing one and his love of music; Laura was presented with a camera to pursue her love of photography.
And while Shane and Laura were the true VIPs of the evening, part of the USVAP fundraising efforts included VIP All-Access passes and a VIP Meet and Greet event with Gary held after the show. The VIP All-Access donors were invited to attend the afternoon sound-check, enjoy dinner with the band, a private introduction and photographs with Gary and Kimo as well as a copy of the American Soldier DVD narrated by Gary (this is the video montage which kicked off the show and is available via the USVAP website), Lt. Dan Band merchandise and Kimo’s War Stories CD.
The first two photographs below are from the sound check earlier in the day. They are graciously provided by Glenda C. and with many thanks from me personally because I arrived much too late in the day (Cubs game!) to take any photos worth sharing. (Maybe next year!) Click on the photos to enlarge. Gary: Kimo, Ernie, Beth and Gary:
And many thanks to Alice E. for sharing her photographs of Gary from the show!
Thanks to Kimo, Gary and the band for a terrific evening and fantastic show! Our best wishes and much gratitude to Shane and Laura! And many thanks to Glenda and Alice for sharing their photographs!
Longtime friends and Gary fans, Laura B. and Gail T.* vacationed in Hollywood recently and were thrilled to catch the Lt. Dan Band in concert at the Canyon Club. This was their first time seeing the band and report it was an amazing show!
Thanks so much to Laura and Gail for sharing a few of their photos!
* A little reminiscing: Laura and Gail along with a number of other lucky Gary fans first met in 1997 when GWI (Gary’s Web International) held its first fundraising breakfast ~ with Gary as special guest. Remember when: click here and scroll to the bottom of the page. Great to know some of you are still friends and stay in touch!
Gary’s close friend and co-founder of the Lt. Dan Band, Kimo Williams has announced VIP packages for the Lt. Dan Band concert at Joe’s on Friday, April 17th.
Kimo is also founder of the United States Vietnam Program (USVAP), and the Joe’s concert is a benefit for this not-for-profit organization. Packages include the opportunity to meet Gary and the band as well as merchandise. Please see USVAP website for details.
Ramsay Warton of KBMG9 interviewed Gary (back in January) when he and the Lt. Dan Band were in Hawaii to entertain the troops. Ramsay chatted with Gary while the group rehearsed for the January 31, 2009 concert at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The Lt. Dan Band also played Hickam Air Force Base the next night.
There are 2 video segments with Gary and another with co-founder of the Lt. Dan Band, Kimo Williams. Williams lived in Hawaii throughout his teens and first dabbled with the guitar while attending Leilehau High School.
On Saturday, January 10th Fox News will air a special report titled On the Road in Iraq with Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band. According to the promo, the special is scheduled for 9 p.m. (ET) and will include a video diary of Gary visiting the troops and a segment of the Lt. Dan Band performing a “tribute to the troops.”
On November 15th the Lt. Dan Band performed at the USO Star Spangled Salute held at the Navy Pier Grand Ballroom in Chicago.
Below are a few photos courtesy of Glenda who attended the event:
Other celebrity appearanes included Master of Ceremonies, Bill Murray, Heart of a Patriot Recipient Leeann Tweeden, and Crystle Steward, Miss USA 2008.
Thanks once again to Glenda for sharing her photos with us!
More Photos & Video of Lt. Dan Band at the Air and Water Show
Below are a few more photos from the Lt. Dan Band performance at the Air and Water Show this past weekend in Chicago. This time around we have such a great selection of photos from Glenda (wonderful shots on a beautiful day), we can share some of Gary with other members of the band. Also, below the last photo is a fantastic video of the closing number!
Gary and Lt. Dan Band co-founder, Kimo Williams:
Gary and Mari Anne Jayme:
Gary and Gina Gonzalez:
Kimo, Ernie Denov and Jeff Vezain:
One more of Gary (and that’ll be a wrap):
(note: video edited and uploaded by Youtube user:proud2b4family - “to encourage our troops, wherever they may serve, now and in the future.”)
Thanks once again to Glenda for sharing her photos from the Air and Water Show!
