<strong>From staff reports</strong>

Lt. Dan is coming back to Beaufort. Sort of.

The Beaufort Film Society announced Thursday Nov. 12 that actor, musician and veteran's advocate Gary Sinise has agreed to serve on the nonprofit organization's Advisory Board.

Sinise’s four-decade film and television career is highlighted by his role as Lt. Dan Taylor in the 1994 Oscar-winning film Forrest Gump, much of which was filmed in and around Beaufort. Sinise received nominations for a Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Academy Awards, and earned the Best Supporting Actor Award from the National Board of Review and the Commander's Award from the Disabled American Veterans.

According to the release, for nearly 40 years, Sinise has stood as an advocate on behalf of America's service members, from supporting Chicago-area Vietnam veterans groups in the early '80s to his portrayal of Lt. Dan in the '90s, when he formed an enduring connection with service members throughout the military community and as he worked on behalf of the Disabled American Veterans organization, which he actively supports today.

Following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the release said, Sinise's dedication to our nation's active duty defenders, veterans, first responders and their families has become a tireless crusade of support, service and gratitude for all those who protect our freedom and serve our country.

"With the recent addition of a Duty &amp; Honor Category to our Beaufort International Film Festival, we believe that Gary Sinise's association with our organization will be the spark needed for filmmakers to make films that tell the proud stories or our military, law enforcement and first responders,” Beaufort Film Society President Ron Tucker said in the release. “We need for those stories to be told.”

In addition to Forrest Gump, Sinise’s film credits include Apollo 13, Ransom, Snake Eyes, Impostor, The Green Mile, Mission to Mars and The Human Stain.

Sinise is an Emmy, Golden Globe, and two-time SAG Award winner for his roles in Truman and George Wallace. He also received a SAG Award nomination for his role in The Stand.

Sinise has most recently starred as Jack Garrett on the series Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, and for nine seasons as Detective "Mac" Taylor on the hit series CSI: NY, both of which aired on CBS.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Sinise serves as the Founder, President and Chairman of the Gary Sinise Foundation.

The Beaufort Film Society is a nonprofit, 501 (c) 3, member-supported organization dedicated to providing the highest levels of entertainment and education to the public from all areas of the film industry.