The Army has designated 2009 as the Year of the NCO, honoring the noncommissioned officers who play a critical role in defending the nation every day. West Point is celebrating this momentous observance with a concert featuring the West Point Band's Concert Band and special guest actor Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Eisenhower Hall Theatre.
The Concert Band will present the first portion of the concert. Highlights include "Liberty Fanfare" by John Williams, Henry Fillmore's "Americans We," and "Fantasy on Army Strong" by Mark Isham. Additionally, the band will perform Johnny Cash's "Shenandoah-Ragged Old Flag" with narration provided by Sinise.
Sinise starred opposite Tom Hanks as Lt. Dan Taylor in the 1994 film "Forrest Gump," a breakthrough role that took Hollywood by storm and earned the actor an Oscar nomination. Sinise has since starred in a number of well-received films, among them "Apollo 13," "The Green Mile" and "Truman." He currently stars in the popular CBS show "CSI: NY."
Along with acting, Sinise played in bands in high school. After visiting troops overseas in 2003, he formed a band with Chicago-area musician, guitarist and composer Kimo Williams. The band was named after Sinise's character in "Forrest Gump." In 2004, the Lt. Dan Band made their first overseas USO tour. Since then, the Lt. Dan Band has averaged 30-40 shows per year, most of those for the USO, charities or benefits.
Sinise plays and has assembled a 12-piece group of high-caliber musicians with extensive performing credentials, including drummer Danny Gottlieb, a founding member of the well-known Pat Metheny Group and a veteran performer and studio musician. The Lt. Dan Band plays a wide selection of current and classic rock, including Bruce Springsteen, Linkin Park and Aretha Franklin.
Sinise has a special place in his heart for servicemembers. According to a post on the Band's Web site Sinise said, "Our performances for our servicemembers on military bases around the globe have meant so much. ... I have made it a particular mission to do what I can to draw attention to [them], their Families and our veterans and to make sure they know they are remembered and appreciated."
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