GARY SINISE AND THE LT. DAN BAND RETURNING TO EAA AIRVENTURE IN 2011 #OSH11

July 29 concert sponsored by DAV, Warbirds of America caps day-long salute to vets

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. — (Jan. 6, 2011) — Back by popular demand, actor and veterans advocate Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band will return to EAA AirVenture in 2011 as the grand finale of a day-long salute to veterans on Friday, July 29. The 59th annual edition of “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” will be held July 25-31 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

      Performing at AirVenture for the second consecutive year and third time since 2008, the band will take to the Theater in the Woods stage for an evening concert hosted by EAA Warbirds of America and Disabled American Veterans. Last year’s concert drew more than 6,000 attendees and again will be the highlight of a veteran-focused day. Further details will be announced as they are finalized.

      Sinise, who is best known for his role as Vietnam veteran Lt. Dan Taylor in the classic film “Forrest Gump” and as star of the hit TV series “CSI: New York,” plays bass in the Lt. Dan Band and is a well-known supporter of veterans as well as active-duty military.

      “We are thrilled to welcome back Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band to AirVenture,” said Tom Poberezny, EAA and AirVenture chairman. “Gary Sinise has been a tremendous supporter of our veterans and active duty military personnel and we’re proud to have the opportunity to join Gary in thanking our veterans for their service to our nation.”

      “The genuine interest Gary Sinise shows for our veterans fits perfectly with our objectives to pay tribute to our veterans at EAA AirVenture on July 29,” said Rick Siegfried, EAA Warbirds of America president.

      The Lt. Dan Band covers everything from Bruce Springsteen to Linkin Park, Aretha Franklin to Jimi Hendrix. Following the band’s first hit concert at Theater in the Woods in 2008, EAA Warbirds of America and Disabled American Veterans teamed up to sponsor the band’s return in 2010 and again this year.

      “Gary Sinise is a longtime advocate for Disabled American Veterans and continues to shine the light on our mission to build better lives for America’s disabled veterans,” said Wallace E. Tyson, DAV National Commander. “As a patriotic and family friendly venue, EAA AirVenture is an ideal setting to feature the Lt. Dan Band.”

       The 1.2 million-member Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit organization founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932, represents this nation’s disabled veterans. It is dedicated to a single purpose: building better lives for our nation’s disabled veterans and their families.

       EAA Warbirds of America is a non-profit organization and division of EAA that is dedicated to the preservation of former military aircraft, better known as “warbirds.”  Since 1964, EAA Warbirds of America has worked to “Keep ’em Flying.”

       AirVenture 2011 has been classified a Tier 1 event by the U.S. Navy as it celebrates the Centennial of Naval Aviation throughout next year. Several top-level attractions will commemorate this notable anniversary as well as 100th anniversary of air mail service. Special themed days planned are “Tribute to Bob Hoover” Day on Tuesday, July 26, Navy Day on Wednesday, July 27, and “Tribute to Burt Rutan” Day on Thursday, July 28.

      Advance purchase admission tickets and camping for AirVenture 2011 are now available at a discounted rate at www.airventure.org/tickets. 

      EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH is The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.airventure.org. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAAupdate.