Gary Sinise Awarded Presidential Citizens Medal

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Actor Gary Sinise was at the White House last week to receive the Presidential Citizens Medal from George W. Bush.

The actor and musician was awarded the medal for his support of US troops and wounded veterans.

Sinise formed The Lt. Dan Band (named after the character he played in the 1994 movie Forrest Gump) with Kimo Williams, a Chicago-based composer, and plays 30-40 shows a year, mostly for the United Service Organization, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide US troops stationed around the world with morale, welfare, and recreation-based services. In 2004, he founded Operation Iraqi Children, a nonprofit group dedicated to helping the U.S. military distribute school supplies in the war-stricken country, with “Seabiscuit” author Laura Hillenbrand.

Gary Sinise to Play Benefit Concert

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 08:38:13 +0000

Gary Sinise is to play a concert to raise funds for a new memorial wall in Brooklyn on August 11. The Oscar nominated actor will join his rock group, The Lt. Dan Band, on stage at the Whitman Theater for an evening of entertainment, including a catalog of songs that covers everything from Jimi Hendrix to Bruce Springsteen to Evanescence.

Sinise, who plays bass guitar in the 11 piece band, hopes the gig will raise over $100,000 for the Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance, a special monument planned for Keyspan Park. The 30 by 12 foot granite wall will honor the 155 police and fire department workers from the area killed on 9/11. It will also incorporate a 6 foot high bronze statue, designed by sculptor Jamie Lester.

“It’s a beautiful memorial,” said Sinise, who has donated some of his own money to the project. “For the families of those fallen heroes, it’s going to be very, very meaningful.”

Look To The Stars News: Laura Hillenbrand

Gary Sinise Awarded Presidential Citizens Medal

Gary Sinise to Play Benefit Concert