Home > News > Article Display

Gary Sinise and the "Lt. Dan Band" rock Team Osan

By Master Sgt. Paul Kilgallon , 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published June 30, 2009

PRINT | E-MAIL
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Gary Sinise and the "Lt. Dan Band" rock and rolled with more than 400 Team Osan Airmen and family members at the base theater here June 28.

During their two-hour performance, the "Lt. Dan Band" played a wide variety of music hits from the 50's, 60's, Motown hits, rock and roll classics and even modern music heard today.

"I thought the show was awesome and the music brought me back through the years to my childhood," said Staff Sgt. Sharon Gallagher, a Diet Therapy craftsman assigned to the 51st Medical Group. "I really like the way that the band came off stage and really got the crowd to participate in the performance. It helped make the event more personable."

Mr. Sinise said that he formed the "Lt. Dan Band' while touring with the United Services Organization after September 11th.

"I started going on USO tours where I would go out as an actor and shake hands, take pictures and sign autographs," he said. "I did this about five or six times and I asked the USO why don't you let me take some musicians with me and I'll put on a show for the troops ... and they did." 

Mr. Sinise said his band has been performing for more than five years now and that people still ask him why he named the band what he did.

"The reason I finally decided to call it that was because when I was doing these tours with the USO, everybody called me "Lt. Dan" all the time," he said "The military all seemed to know that character, so it seemed appropriate to name the band that."

Mr. Sinise said that he does more than just perform and sign autographs when he tours with the USO; he makes it a point to meet with as many military members as he can.

"I have been to a lot of places and met a lot of servicemembers," said Mr. Sinise. "I go to the hospitals to visit the wounded and try to do what I can to help them and their families. These things are always very moving and very important to me."

During the show, Mr. Sinise was given a coin by a servicemember in the audience. He said that he keeps a coin display case and other mementos behind his desk on the television series "CSI New York" to serve as a reminder of all the people he has met and the places he has been.

"It really impressed me to find out that he keeps something like that and it truly shows what kind of man he really is," said Master Sgt. Vernon Ferrell, 5th Reconnaissance Squadron first sergeant. "Gary Sinise and others like him, serve as a reminder to our troops that folks in the U.S. are thinking about us and appreciate our service."

Mr. Sinise said that performing in Korea is special to him since this is one of the first places the "Lt. Dan Band" performed. In addition, performing in locations near the Demilitarized Zone is a reminder of what freedom really is.

"I don't think there is any place on earth where the difference between freedom and slavery is more apparent than standing on the border of North and South Korea," he said.

He went on to say that Osan was their final stop on the Peninsula and that the "Lt. Dan Band" was going to do a little bit extra in the show for the audience.

"We are actually moving on to Okinawa from here," he said. "So, we're adding some songs and going to do a little bit extra tonight and we're going to make sure that everyone has a really good time."

Mr. Sinise said he really appreciates every servicemember's commitment and the jobs they do every single day.

"Everywhere that U.S. Military members are serving for our country, I just want to let them know that they are appreciated," he said. "I am grateful for what they do for our country and I don't take their service, their sacrifice and their families sacrifice for granted."

For more information about upcoming USO events go to www.uso.org or contact your local USO office.