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Gary Sinise, Lt Dan Band perform free USO concert for servicemembers

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Carolyn Viss
  • 15th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  A leading actor of the CBS hit show "CSI:NY," who also played supporting role of Lieutenant Dan Taylor in "Forrest Gump," visited Hickam Jan. 30 and 31 to perform a free United Service Organizations, Inc., concert. 

Gary Sinise and his Chicago-born rock band, titled after the 1994 box-office hit, drew a crowd of approximately 4,500 and played covers from Bruce Springsteen to Linkin Park to Tom Cochran. 

"I started doing USO work after Sept. 11," said Mr. Sinise. "When [the U.S.] started deploying to war zones and sending troops out, I felt it was important that [servicemembers] understood people were behind them and supportive. I've met many people who volunteered to join the military after Sept. 11. I feel like I volunteered to support the active-duty servicemembers after that day." 

Many of Mr. Sinise's own family members have served in the military, he said, and the band's electric guitarist, Kimo Williams, is a Vietnam War veteran. 

"They go to some pretty tough places, and it feels like the right thing to do to use my success in the entertainment industry to give back to them," Mr. Sinise said. "It's all about the troops. No matter what base they're on ... I enjoy just being with them and showing my support." 

The Lieutenant Dan Band hit the road on their first overseas USO tour in February of 2004, to Korea, Singapore and Diego Garcia. Since then, the band have been to Iraq four times and are preparing to go to Afghanistan for the second time this summer, willing to take the risk of going into an austere deployed environment "for the same reason [servicemembers] take the risk to put on a uniform every day," said the Emmy-award-winning actor. 

"When I go to the war zones, it's all about taking as many pictures, shaking as many hands, signing as many autographs, and meeting as many troops as I possibly can," said the husband and father of three. 

Seventy-five percent of the band's 30 to 40 concerts per year are shows for USO, charities or benefits, according to the band's Web site. Although USO band tours are always popular both abroad and in garrison, press representative Oname Thompson said the Lieutenant Dan Band drew a crowd larger than usual here. 

"They played last night at [Marine Corps Base Hawaii], but I don't think there were as many people there as there are here tonight," she said. 

Senior Master Sgt. Gary Shedenhelm, Defense Information Systems Agency-Pacific transmissions systems division superintendent, spent 10 hours setting up the metal structure and cables surrounding the stage area and later attended the concert with his wife, Cathy. 

"We had a fantastic time," Sergeant Shedenhelm said. "It was awesome. They were really diverse as a band. What they offered spanned from Jimmy Hendrix and Santana to Evanesence ... and they displayed awesome talent." 

He had a rare opportunity to meet Mr. Sinise back stage, but while he and Cathy were in line a deployed servicemember called from Iraq. The busy TV star took the call, which impressed the Shedenhelms a lot. 

"For him to take the time to say 'hi' to someone overseas and thank them for what they do was really impressive," Sergeant Shedenhelm said. "He was really down to earth."
He also expressed appreciation for the USO. 

"I'm so thankful that that this organization exists and that people volunteer to support the military," Sergeant Shedenhelm said. "They do a wonderful job." 

The feeling was mutual. 

"My mission is to make sure they know they're appreciated," said Mr. Sinise. "I've found incredible people in the service who are serving honorably and just want to do the right thing and get their job done and come home. If I can go out there and support them, it makes me feel good to do that."