Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band play free concert at Little Rock Air Force Base

Gary Sinise speaks at the Little Rock Air Force Base on Friday, April 29, 2016.
Gary Sinise speaks at the Little Rock Air Force Base on Friday, April 29, 2016.

Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band, a cover band associated with the actor's charity foundation and the United Service Organizations, was scheduled to hold a free concert for military members and their families at Little Rock Air Force Base on Friday night.

Like the band's namesake from the Academy-Award winning movie Forrest Gump, Sinise said his family tree includes members of many American wars, which the actor said inspired him to become more involved in military causes after his appearance in the film.

In a meeting with reporters and Air Force public affairs before the concert, Sinise said his work began with USO "handshake" tours after Sept. 11, eventually leading him to start performing shows with his jam band in 2004.

Since then, the Lt. Dan Band has played more than 330 shows, including more than 145 for the USO.

The actor said his main motivation is seeing servicemen and women enjoy his shows.

"What if we didn't have people that want to serve? We would have to make them," Sinise said.

Sinise said he supports having an all-volunteer military, saying the draft during the Vietnam War "didn't work out so well then."

The character of Lt. Dan — a career soldier whose loses both his legs in the Vietnam War and becomes destitute as a civilian before rebuilding his life — was a story that Sinise said inspired him as he began increasing his time spent with veterans.

"That story hadn't been told before about a Vietnam vet," Sinise said. "I use that story today to talk to wounded vets."

After Friday's concert, Sinise is scheduled to perform a fundraiser concert at the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion in Rogers on Saturday.

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