A different twist to this week's Remembering Our Veterans series.

Actor Gary Sinise, known for his roles in Forrest Gump and Apollo 13, will visit Erie for the first time on September 11th.

On that night, he will host a benefit concert for veterans and local first responders.

The Gary Sinise Foundation started in 2011, and over the last 12 years, he has used that national platform to benefit those in need.

Being on stage with a band and singing did not come naturally to Gary Sinise, but making a connection with first responders certainly does.

"A human being can go through a lot of difficult things, but when you raise your hand and go defend your country, or you want to protect our cities as a firefighter or police officer," said Sinise. "That is a duty that not everyone wants to do, not everyone can do and yet it's critical to our safety and security." 

His Lt. Dan Band has played over 500 benefit concerts, and one stage has left an indelible mark on the veteran actor: When he played at Walter Reed Hospital for the first time in 2007. 

"We had a lot of people in the hospital at that time, the hospitals were very full," said Sinise. "You have people that are dealing with long stays in the hospital, and bringing some joy and fun at the hospital became something that was very important to me." 

The September 11th concert in Erie will take place at the Liberty Park Amphitheater and will get underway at 7:30 p.m.