Military Advocacy in New Hampshire
Award-winning actor and long-time military advocate Gary Sinise is scheduled to bring his musical project, the Lt. Dan Band, to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on September 24. The performance is the centerpiece of the “Veterans Count Salute Our Heroes Military Support Concert,” an event organized to raise awareness and funds for critical services supporting the state’s military and veteran communities.
Presented by Service Credit Union, the concert is hosted by Veterans Count, a program under the umbrella of Easterseals NH. The organization provides a vital safety net for service members, veterans, and their families, offering services that include confidential care coordination, housing stabilization, mental health support, and emergency financial assistance. According to The Union Leader, proceeds from the event will benefit Easterseals NH Veterans Count, the NH Military Assistance Foundation, and Northeast Passage.
Two Decades of Service
The Lt. Dan Band, named after Sinise’s iconic, Oscar-nominated character in the 1994 film Forrest Gump, was formed in 2003. Over the last two decades, the ensemble has performed extensively at military installations, support events, and for service members across the United States and abroad. Sinise, who has dedicated years to visiting troops, uses the band as a vehicle to express gratitude to the military community.
The concert will take place at 35 Corporate Drive, with doors and opening performances beginning at 5 p.m., followed by the Lt. Dan Band at 6 p.m. Attendance is free, though the event serves as a platform to highlight the ongoing needs of veterans in the region.
Personal Reflection and Resilience
Beyond his public advocacy, Sinise has recently spoken openly about his personal journey through grief. In a recent appearance on CNN’s All There Is with Anderson Cooper, Sinise shared insights into the loss of his son, Mac, who passed away in 2024 at age 33 following a battle with chordoma, a rare form of cancer. Sinise described the enduring nature of grief, noting that while he continues his public work and advocacy, “the hole in the heart is always there.” He also highlighted the importance of the music his son created during his final year, emphasizing that Mac remains a “very present” force in his life.