By Karen Abeyasekere, 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
/ Published July 01, 2008
RAF Mildenhall, England -- "Ain't no mountain high enough; Ain't no valley low enough; Ain't no river wide enough - to keep us from getting to you!" said actor Gary Sinise to Airmen and their families gathered at Hangar 539 June 29, quoting a verse from Marvin Gaye's Motown classic sung near the end of the concert. As the crowd applauded their approval, he continued, "It's important that you know we are grateful for the sacrifices you and your families make; you are not forgotten."
Mr. Sinise was at RAF Mildenhall as part of a combined United Services Organization and Armed Forces Entertainment tour, performing with his Lt. Dan Band, named after his character in the movie, "Forrest Gump." He has more than 40 silver screen credits, including "Apollo 13" and "Truman," and currently stars in television's "CSI: NY."
This is the band's fourth overseas USO tour in the last four years. In the states, they've performed two USO, and several dozen other individual shows for military members.
"I believe that this is a way I can give back to (servicemembers) and help support them," Mr. Sinise said.
He's been to Iraq three times, and is heading there again after this tour - without the band, for five to 10 days.
"I try and meet as many troops as I can down there," he said.
In 1997, Mr. Sinise was doing a play with his theatre company in Chicago, and met Kimo Williams (guitarist and vocalist in the Lt. Dan Band) who was writing music for the play.
"We got to become friends; he was a guitar player and I was a bass player and we started hanging out together and playing a little bit. He'd invite some people over when I was in town, and we'd just kind of have some fun and (play music)," the actor and musician said.
"Then I started doing USO tours on my own, and visiting the troops. At certain ones, I asked, 'Why don't I bring a band with me?' and they said, 'Sure.' So we built the band up, added some people and started rehearsing."
That was in 2004, and they've been playing about 30 to 40 shows each year since. Mr. Sinise said 75 to 80 percent of their shows are for charities or some kind of military-related tour.
"After our second overseas tour, we went to Washington D.C. and played for the Memorial Day concert. There were probably 200,000 people there on the lawn in front of the Capitol. That was pretty incredible and very special," he said.
About 650 people came out to Hangar 539 to support the event and watch the Lt. Dan Band perform, and they weren't disappointed.
"The music was energetic and enjoyable, especially since we recognized many of the songs," said Dr. Robert Allen, 352nd Special Operations Group historian, who attended the concert with his wife.
The band members had people up on stage dancing, and encouraged children to come up in front of the stage and dance.
"Sylvia and I just couldn't resist dancing to the oldies, although we liked many of the other funky or lively tunes," Dr. Allen said. "Live music is always special, even more so when the band makes a point of interacting so well with the audience - having kids come up front, and inviting the ladies to come up on stage, was a very nice touch.
"One of the things that encouraged me to come out was that the band was named after Lt. Dan, a Vietnam War character. As a Vietnam veteran, I was also impressed that another Vietnam vet (Kimo Williams) was playing in the band," he said.
Songs included Stevie Wonder's "Superstition", Rob Thomas and Santana's "Smooth" and Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love." The vocalists took turns singing other songs including Lee Greenwood's "I'm proud to be an American", Lynard Skynard's "Sweet Home Alabama" and Patti LaBelle's "Lady Marmalade".
"I believe it's important the troops know they're supported, and this is a way I can give back," Mr. Sinise said. "We have all these people serving their country; many of them are deployed in dangerous areas and their families are worried about them. If I can come out there and give them a good time for a while, and entertain them a bit, then it's the least I can do. I'm grateful that we've got them, and I want to do everything I can to support them.
"Quite often when we play on bases, a lot of the troops are deployed so we end up playing for their families and kids a lot. To see those kids having a good time, that's very special; it's one of the things I love about it," he said.