Word went out this week that Gary Sinise and the Lt Dan Band would be giving a performance in the Big Hanger at Eielson AFB. Active Duty, Retirees, Veterans, and their dependents, were invited. In other words military ID cards required. Michelle, Skyler, and I attended. Skyler ran in to a lot of old high school buddies that are now active duty. I saw a few old guys I knew from my active duty days, as did Michelle.
The show started promptly at 6PM. The wing Commander came on stage and announced a Congressional Medal Of Honor reciepient who gave a short 1 minute talk, then the Wing Commander announced Gary Sinise and the Lt Dan Band. Gary Sinise came out on stage playing a bass guitar, and the rest of the members of the cast followed him on stage. For the next 2 hours and 20 minutes with no breaks or intermissions, they gave one of the best concerts I have ever been to. At one point one of the singers came out into the audiance and collected women to participate with the singing on stage. I believe they were women and daughters whose husbands and fathers are currently overseas.
At the end of that song Gary Sinise helped every one of them as they desended the steps back down to the main floor, as the other members of the band continued to play. This was the only break Gary Sinise took from playing that guitar. As soon as all the women were off stage Gary was right back up there playing his guitar. As the songs and moods changed the entertainers would filter on and off the stage. All but one, Gary Sinise, with the exception of helping the women off stage, he did not leave the stage during the entire time. He played that bass guitar and kept things rolling the entire time. Keno Williams a Viet Nam Vet, was a member of the band and played guitar. Keno is also the music director for the band, and he did a real good rendition of Jimmy Hindrix. Hooray for Gary Sinise and the Lt Dan Band. The troops loved it, and had a good time. I had forgotten what it was like to be around so many people in uniform. It was great, sure do miss it.