Oscar-nominated actor and director Gary Sinise, right, and his Lt. Dan Band perform a concert in the Pentagon Courtyard at the 4th Annual America Supports you concert as part of Military Appreciation Month at the Pentagon, Friday, May 16, 2008.
The Lt. Dan Band was formed by Chicago composer Kimo Williams and actor/musician Gary Sinise. The band has completed five tours for the USO and performs regularly for troops stationed around the world.
"Lieutenant Dan" is the character Gary portrayed in the 1994 film Forrest Gump, a role for which he earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. As Gary began visiting troops around the world, people (even little kids) who didn't know him as Gary Sinise, the actor, would recognize him as "Lt.Dan". Those in the miliary also seem to identify strongly with the character. And so the name for his group was an easy choice: Lt. Dan Band!
More about the Lt. Dan Band at
LTDANBAND.COM : Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band. Defense Dept. photo by Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison
