This trip will mark Sinise and band’s first USO performance at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and the third for Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.
Formed in 2004, Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band have participated in 58 USO tours, participated in 134 USO events and enhanced the lives of some 256,000 troops and their families stationed throughout the U.S., as well as in Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Belgium and Afghanistan, among others.
An avid humanitarian and supporter of the men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving Sinise founded the Gary Sinise Foundation in 2010. Officially launched in 2011, the Foundation is dedicated to serving the Nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, and those in need. Included among the many organizations the Gary Sinise Foundation supports is the USO.
His portrayal of Lt. Dan Taylor in the landmark film “Forrest Gump” formed an enduring connection with servicemen and women throughout the military community. After several USO handshake tours in 2003, Sinise formed the “Lt. Dan Band” in early 2004 and began entertaining troops serving at home and abroad. In 2011, Sinise established the Gary Sinise Foundation to serve and honor our nation’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need.
Sinise has received many distinguished awards including The Bob Hope Award for Excellence in Entertainment from the Medal of Honor Society, the Spirit of the USO Award, The Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian honor awarded to citizens for exemplary deeds performed in service of the nation, only the third actor ever to receive this honor, the Spirit of Hope Award presented by the Department of Defense and honorary Chief Petty Officer by the Navy.
The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency.