Service pays dividends for Sinise

Last year in Vegas, actor Gary Sinise was playing bass in his Lt. Dan Band, raising money at a show to build homes for amputee veterans. Then came a golden moment.

In the crowd was Sinise's friend, Marine Cpl. Todd Nicely, who lost both arms and both legs in Afghanistan.

"Todd and his wife, Crystal, were dancing in the aisle," Sinise says. "He was on his prosthetic legs, with his two prosthetic arms wrapped around his wife.

"That was the first time he danced with his wife since the injury.

"I looked out in the audience, and I saw all the wounded guys -- those that could stand up -- and they were all cheering."

Nicely and his wife received a customized home thanks to such concert fundraisers by GarySiniseFoundation.org.

Saturday, in recognition of Veterans Day, Sinise's band returns to Mandalay Bay Beach (2 p.m., $25) to raise more money for wounded warriors.

Also, from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, more than 60 wounded veterans ride modified bicycles on a "Road 2 Recovery" course starting at Mandalay Bay.

The "CSI: NY" star named his feel-good, cover-song band after his wounded-veteran character in "Forrest Gump."

Sinise says he gets more than he gives.

"I always recommend service above yourself. It stops you thinking about what your issues are," he says humbly.

"When you're helping somebody else, you're helping yourself, you're helping your country, you're helping your fellow man."

RETURN OF THE 'GODDESS'

It seems like yesterday Bree Olson was a Charlie Sheen "goddess." Late Saturday night, she will play hostess at the Crazy Horse III strip club complex.

She retired from porn almost a year ago after her career ran from age 19 to 24.

Now she's living back home in Indiana, four-wheeling in fall, and snowmobiling and sledding come winter.

Soon, she'll move to L.A. for mainstream acting classes, her first since elementary and high school, where she portrayed "the first princess" in "The King and I."

She has some unfinished porn business.

"I'm going to be hosting the AVNs (the porn awards) in January" in Vegas, she announces. "It'll be a nice way to see everyone for a last time and say farewell."

She's still in touch with Sheen.

"We were just texting the other day. He's a really sweet guy. Once you have Charlie in your life, he's there for the long haul. No complaints there."

Doug Elfman's column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Contact him at delfman@reviewjournal.com. He blogs at reviewjournal.com/elfman.