The roaring cheers of the crowd that came out to see Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band complemented the sounds of strumming guitars and drum beats during Saturday’s two-hour performance.
The band returned to The Villages after six years as a part of the three-day Lt. Dan Band Weekend celebration hosted by Villagers for Veterans and presented by Disabled American Veterans Chapter 150 The Villages. Actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise, who played Vietnam War veteran Lt. Dan Taylor in the 1994 movie “Forrest Gump,” established the Gary Sinise Foundation and the band to honor veterans.
Sinise, who plays bass guitar for the band, said he was glad for the opportunity to return for the third time to The Villages — home to an estimated 19,000 veterans, with nearly 9,000 being Vietnam veterans, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. His first visit was in February 2019 for a book signing, and the second was in October 2019 for a
Lt. Dan Band concert, also at Lake Sumter Landing.“I loved it when we were here before,” Sinise said. “This is such a supportive veteran community, and my whole purpose is to play for and support veterans.”
Vendors who provide resources to veterans surrounded Lake Sumter Landing Market Square ahead of the festivities’ scheduled
11 a.m. start time. They included Wreaths Across America with the Tri-County Women Veterans Inc., Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1036, DAV Chapter 150, Combat Veterans to Careers, Visiting Angels and the Gary Sinise Foundation.
Marguerite Desbrow, of the Village of Duval, said participating in the event was “very special” as she tabled with Wreaths Across America.
“I have a son who is laid to rest in San Antonio,” Desbrow said. “We want more people to know about Wreaths Across America so we can support those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.”
Larry Eidelberg, a five-year member of the DAV and an Army veteran, tabled with DAV Chapter 150 during the event. Although his main focus was providing help to those who need it, Eidelberg was also excited to see the Lt. Dan Band perform.
“It’s an honor to help the veterans who need assistance with these resources,” said the Village of Winifred resident. “We’ve already had some people sign up to join the DAV. There’s a lot of people who need help because they are getting denied (benefits), but we help fight for them.”
Joanne and Dennis Whitelaw, of the Village of Hillsborough, arrived at the square before 11 a.m. with plans to wait for the concert, which didn’t begin until 6:30 p.m.“Knowing that things like this fill up quickly in The Villages, we wanted to come early,” Joanne said. “We came out to do some shopping and stop at the different vendors. We also wanted to try to get good seats.”
By 12:30 p.m., hundreds of people packed the square. After several hours of anticipation, the band kicked off its show with “Shut Up and Dance” followed by “Happy.”
For Marie Bogdonoff, Villagers for Veterans founder and CEO, it’s been years of anticipation.
Bogdonoff, the Village of Pine Ridge resident who orchestrated the group’s 2019 performance, said the event was not just a concert, it was a celebration.
“After the concert in 2019, everybody thought it was just a wonderful thing that Gary was able to come here,” she said. “They were all so thrilled to see the band and everybody was hoping they would be back. So, for us, this is a wonderful thing that he’s able to come back and make their wishes come true.”
Nearly 30 minutes into the show, the band performed original music, including “Quasi Love,” which was written and produced by Sinise’s son, Mac, shortly before his death in 2024.
Shanda Taylor Boyd, a spokesperson for veterans groups including Disabled American Veterans, Camp4Heroes and Villagers for Veterans, first met Sinise 13 years ago after they starred in a commercial for the DAV together. Boyd, a part-time resident of the Village of Pine Ridge and an Army veteran, said she was looking forward to another Lt. Dan Band concert.
“This concert serves as an escape from our worries and our wounds,” she said. “After service, we may have challenges of being in public or even asking for help. The foundation and these organizations have mastered the art of getting veterans to ask for help.“All of the love and support that these groups have given me has been overwhelming,” she said. “I know miracles can happen and I know the impact the hearts of these people can have. Their impact is a positive generational empowering tool.”For more information about the nonprofit, visit garysinise
foundation.org. To learn more about Villagers for Veterans, visit villagersforveterans.org.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
