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Actor Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band to stage free concert in The Villages

Emmy-award-winning actor Gary Sinise is preparing to return to The Villages and this time he’s bringing along some friends – the other 12 members of his popular Lt. Dan Band.

Actor Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band will perform a free concert at Lake Sumter Landing Market Square on Oct. 27.

Sinise, a huge supporter of veterans, and his band will perform a free concert on Oct. 27 at Lake Sumter Landing Market Square. The band, which was formed in Chicago in 2004, was founded by Sinise and Kimo Williams to entertain troops, perform at USO shows and raise money to help disabled veterans. It is named after the character Sinise played in the 1994 hit movie “Forrest Gump” alongside fellow award-winning actor Tom Hanks.

“We are so excited to have Gary and the Lt. Dan Band here in The Villages,” said Marie Bogdonoff, president of Villagers for Veterans, who has been working hard to have Sinise come back to Florida’s Friendliest Hometown since his first visit in February. “We want veterans and first responders to be a big part of the event.”

Gary Sinise and Kimo Williams formed the Lt. Dan Band in Chicago in 2004 to entertain troops, perform at USO shows and raise money to help disabled veterans. The band is named after the character Sinise played in the 1994 hit movie “Forrest Gump” alongside fellow award-winning actor Tom Hanks.

The concert will begin at about 6:30 p.m. The entertainment, which starts at 3 p.m., also will feature the popular Scooter the DJ, a Forrest Gump impersonator, food trucks and other attractions. There will be a special seating area for veterans and first responders. Those attending are encouraged to come early and bring chairs.

Bogdonoff said Sinise and his 13-piece band will perform on a special stage that his crew will construct at Lake Sumter Landing the night before the event.

“We really don’t have a venue in The Villages that’s big enough for them,” she said. “So, the square was the perfect place.”

Marie Bogdonoff, president of Villagers for Veterans, shared a special moment with actor and veteran advocate Gary Sinise during his February visit to The Villages. She continued to work hard after that event to have him return to Florida’s Friendliest Hometown with his Lt. Dan Band.

Bogdonoff said she’s spoken to many veterans who are thrilled that Sinise and his band are putting on a show in The Villages.

“The veterans want to have Gary here just as much as he wants to be here,” she said.

The 64-year-old Sinise, also known for his roles in the 1995 movie “Apollo 13” and the hit television drama “CSI: New York,” made quite a splash when he came to The Villages in February. During that trip he shared an emotional visit with veterans at the Savannah Center and talked about his best-selling book, “Grateful American: A Journey From Self to Service.” Each member of the audience received a copy, which details Sinise’s life story, from troubled kid to Hollywood star to activist for veterans.

Gold Star mother and Villager Kim Greenberg and her husband, Rick, enjoyed meeting actor and veteran advocate Gary Sinise during his February visit to The Villages.

Sinise’s first visit also was connected to Villagers for Veterans. Bogdonoff said she had met him four years earlier and had been trying to get him to come to Florida’s Friendliest Hometown ever since.

Gary Sinise presented a copy of his new book to Sgt. Pam Kelly in February. She will soon will be living in The Villages.

“He’s done so much for veterans,” she said after his February appearance. “Most of all, he shows veterans love and they feel the same way about him.”

The most touching moment of Sinise’s February talk came when Gold Star Mother and Villager Kim Greenberg personally thanked him during a question-and-answer session.

“It means so much,” she said.

Sinise, whose foundation had sponsored a Disney World vacation for 1,722 Gold Star families, also was moved. He came to the front of the stage, knelt down and embraced Greenberg. Her son, U.S. Army Spc. Nick Idalski, 23, of Crown Point, Ind., was killed in combat in Iraq on June 21, 2005.

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