Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band to Commemorate 80th Anniversary of the End of WWII in Hawaii with Free Concert Open to the Public, to Honor the Service of the Greatest Generation

"We are honored to remember the heroes of World War II as we commemorate the 80^th anniversary of the end of WWII," said Linda Hope, Chair and CEO of the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation. "Joining with Gary Sinise, it is our privilege to pay tribute to the valor and sacrifice of those who served in our military during World War II, as well as to the everyday Americans on the home front who also sacrificed to help restore peace to the world. We are proud salute the service and honor the hope of our Greatest Generation."

Steeped in the history of WWII, the location of this commemoration is, itself, a tribute to all who serve our country. It is only here in Pearl Harbor where the bookends of WWII can be fully experienced. The Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band opening commemoration concert takes place on the grounds of the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, America's WWII aviation battlefield on Saturday, August 30. And the culminating commemoration ceremony takes place on the pier adjacent to the Battleship Missouri upon whose deck the Instrument of Surrender ending WWII was signed on Tuesday, September 2. 

"Honoring the heroes of the Greatest Generation, our nation's World War II veterans, has always been close to my heart," said Actor and Humanitarian Gary Sinise. "My Uncle Jack, a B-17 navigator in WWII, played a big role in inspiring my deep respect for those who served during that time. Through the Gary Sinise Foundation, we've worked to make sure their legacy, and the sacrifices they made for our freedom, are never forgotten. As we mark the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII, it's a true privilege to bring the Lt. Dan Band to Hawaii on August 30th to honor, salute and say thank you to these incredible men and women. We owe them so much."

The 80^th commemoration may be the last opportunity to bring together surviving WWII veterans. On September 2, 1945, with the U.S. fleet and air forces standing by, thousands gathered on the deck of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay to witness the signing of the Instrument of Surrender that brought the global conflict to an end. Eighty years later, on September 2, 2025, the official Commemoration Ceremony on the pier adjacent to the Surrender Deck of the Battleship Missouri Memorial will honor that historic day, welcoming eight USS Missouri veterans who were present for the ceremony that shaped a more peaceful future.

Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band have uplifted hundreds of thousands of our service members, reminiscent of the efforts of Bob Hope himself and the traveling entertainers who joined him in bringing the home front to the battle lines. The band, a program of the Gary Sinise Foundation, has performed nearly 600 concerts to entertain and support our nation's defenders around the globe.

As we reflect on the lasting legacy of our WWII veterans and our greatest generation, we are grateful to the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation, Presenting Sponsor of the 80th Anniversary Commemoration of the End of WWII, and to the support of the Gary Sinise Foundation for ensuring that this legacy of service and sacrifice is carried forward, inspiring the next generation. 

The Battleship Missouri Memorial and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum will serve as the official hosts of the 80^th Commemoration. The four-day commemoration will feature many public events staged at these two historic locations. For information on the full schedule of events and how to participate, visit USSMissouri.org/endofwwii or www.PearlHarborAviationMuseum.org.

About Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum (PHAM) is more than a museum—it's a place where history, innovation, and inspiration come together. A Smithsonian Affiliate, PHAM has been named one of the nation's top aviation museums by Travel & Leisure Magazine. Located on Historic Ford Island, the site of the December 7, 1941 attack, the Museum stands on America's World War II aviation battlefield. Visitors can walk through bullet-scarred hangars, see legendary aircraft like the Japanese Zero and B-17 Swamp Ghost, and hear the powerful stories of the heroes who changed the course of history. Beyond preserving the past, (PHAM) is committed to shaping the future. Through youth programs, scholarships, and workforce development initiatives, the Museum educates and empowers the next generation. From signature events like PHAMily Fun Day to hands-on STEM experiences, flight simulators and more, the Museum connects people of all ages with the wonder of flight and the importance of history. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Museum relies on donations, volunteers, and members to fulfill its mission: to steward America's WWII aviation battlefield and inspire future generations through education and remembrance. Join us, support our work, or plan your visit at PearlHarborAviationMuseum.org

About Battleship Missouri Memorial
Since opening in January 1999, the Battleship Missouri Memorial has attracted more than 10-million visitors from around the world with a fascinating tour experience showcasing the USS Missouri's unique place in history. Located a ship's length from the USS Arizona Memorial, the Mighty Mo completes a historical visitor experience that begins with the "day of infamy" and sinking of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and ends with Japan's formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.

The USS Missouri had an astounding career over five decades and three wars – World War II, the Korean War, and Desert Storm – after which it was decommissioned and donated to the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Association operates the Battleship Missouri Memorial as a historic attraction and oversees her care and preservation with the support of visitors, memberships, grants, and donations. The Battleship Missouri Memorial is open daily. For information or reservations, call (808) 455-1600 or visit USSMissouri.org.

About Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation
Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation (BobHope.org) supports organizations that bring "HOPE" to those in need and those who served to protect our nation. The Foundation also supports charitable organizations that preserve and honor the legacy of Bob Hope as an American entertainer, humanitarian, patriot, sportsman and supporter of military personnel and their families.

About the Gary Sinise Foundation
Gary Sinise is an award-winning actor and humanitarian, best known for his roles in CSI:NY, Apollo 13, and his Oscar-nominated performance in the film Forrest Gump as the wounded Vietnam veteran Lt. Dan Taylor. An advocate for our nation's defenders since the 1980s, after 9/11 Sinise began a tireless crusade to support America's military and first responders around the world with handshake tours and concerts with his band, the Lt. Dan Band. In 2011, he established the Gary Sinise Foundation as an extension of those efforts. Today, the Foundation is building custom homes for severely wounded heroes, honoring and supporting the families of our fallen, providing essential equipment and training for first responders, improving the mental wellness of our defenders, and so much more. For more information and to support, visit www.garysinisefoundation.org.

SOURCE Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum