TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band visited Tyndall Air Force Base and performed a free concert here March 4, 2018.
During the concert, attendees were entertained by a lively performance where the band played a medley of songs from classic rock to today’s hits.
“This is my first visit to Tyndall. I’ve been wanting to come here,” said Gary Sinise, founder of the Lt. Dan Band and the Gary Sinise Foundation. “Last year we hit Eglin and Patrick Air Force Bases in Florida. We are trying to get every base in Florida. We called [Col. Michael Hernandez, the 325th Fighter Wing commander] and basically offered the concert.”
“My foundation is the sponsor of the concert,” Sinise added.
The mission of the Gary Sinise Foundation, as stated on their website, is to serve their nation by honoring its defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need. They do that by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen and build communities.
In addition to putting on the concert, Sinise also received a close look at one of Tyndall’s F-22 Raptors and met with some of the Airmen who maintain the iconic aircraft.
“The crew that is working on an F-22 out there showed me around the aircraft,” Sinise explained. “It was my second time being up close to an F-22. Last month we were at Edwards and I got to see an up close and personal look at an F-35 [Lightning II]. So, I get to do a lot of cool things and see our military up close. It’s very good to do that, because the more I can do it, the better advocate I can be for service members. I do want to be a good advocate, I appreciate what everyone does.”
“My time with the Tyndall Airmen was terrific. A good crew was out there. They are very dedicated, very hard working,” Sinise added.
After obtaining a firmer understanding of the aircraft and the Tyndall mission, the band started the concert on a stage as the sunset settled behind. The Airmen and their families were then entertained over the course of the next few hours with a live performance.
“Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band put on a very entertaining show,” said Airman 1st Class Isaiah Soliz, a patron of the concert. “It was convenient that the show was put on for free and right on base. They played a wide range of music from classic rock like Journey and The Who to recent bands like the Zac Brown Band and Bruno Mars. Their entire crew put together one of the best performances I’ve seen in a long time.”
“They really have an appreciation for those serving our country and it shows through the work of the Gary Sinise Foundation,” he added.
Sinise concluded by explaining how he is able to put on concerts and operate the other programs his foundation provides for veterans, service members and those in need.
“We are producing [the concert] as we do with several concerts per year,” Sinise said. “And that is all because the American people support my foundation, and that allows me to go out there and deliver a message of appreciation to our men and women serving our country, but also bring some joy with the music and entertain everybody.”