Gary Sinise is a very well known actor and has enjoyed a very successful career. At this point some people might be forgetting about him since it seems that he hasn’t done a whole lot when it comes to film apart from documentaries and voice roles. He’s been active in TV but he’s also been extremely active in various veterans’ organizations in a personal and professional manner. Through the Lt. Dan Band, you should recognize the name Lt. Dan from Forrest Gump, he has become a regular on USO tours at various military bases all around the world. He’s also volunteered for the National Vietnam Veterans Arts Museum. Back in 2011 he also became one of the few people to slip into a space suit and fly in U-2 spy plane as high as 70,000 feet. He’s also on the Advisory Council for the Hope for Wounded Warriors program. This is a nonprofit organization that’s fully dedicated to providing nonmedical care to those have been wounded in combat, their families, and the families of those that have fallen in each branch of the military.
In 2011 he took part as the narrator at the Candlelight Processional in Disneyland, and in 2012 he was honored at the United States Navy Memorial by Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Rick West. He was then made an honorary US Navy Chief Petty Officer for the efforts he’d made in helping so many veterans to return to a sense of normalcy after their time in the military had ended. He was named an honorary Marine by the Commandant of the Marine Corps in 2013 as well.
Since 2006 Sinise has co-hosted the National Memorial Day Concert on the Mall in Washington D.C. along with fellow actor Joe Mantegna. He’s also the national spokesperson for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial and goes around spreading awareness for the memorial at many different organizations. He was granted the third highest honor within the Department of the Army Civilian Awards in 2013 for his contributions to the US Army through the Gary Sinise Foundation. He even participated in Troopathon VI in 2013 as he’s done in the past to raise money for care packages that are sent to American troops. It’s easy to see that Gary has been heavily involved with efforts to aid and support those in the US military throughout every branch in an attempt to keep our fighting men and women safe and grant them the knowledge that someone back home is thinking about them. Through his many efforts it’s been seen that many upon many men and women have been able to see some light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to getting out of the service and going back to a civilian life after injury or accident that left them unable to perform their duties.
Soldiers have a purpose that they feel most acutely when they are at their post serving their country, and having to leave that post is something that hurts more than words can describe. Their desire to serve their country is so great that being dismissed and cast aside is a grave insult not only to them but to the many that throughout the years have been forgotten or neglected by a country that for some reason saw their sacrifice as something that was expected, not freely given. Gary Sinise, through his many efforts, has managed to let these soldiers know that they are valued and that they will be cared for when their time to come home arrives. The pain of having to leave their comrades and return home diminished in some way is hopefully soothed by knowing that someone is out there looking out for them once they return. Although these efforts can’t possibly reach every individual that needs them Sinise does his absolute best to make sure that as many soldiers as possible are allowed to benefit from the foundation he created and are made to realize that their efforts made in the defense of this country will never be forgotten.
It’s very fitting that this article comes near Memorial Day when many upon many people won’t be thinking about the real purpose of the day, but instead the vacation time they’ll be taking, the bbq’s they’ll be attending, and the fun they’ll get to have. For some it’s a day off and a reason to party, but for those that were abroad living and breathing the defense of this country, and for those that know what Memorial Day is really about, this will be a chance to say thanks and honor those that have fallen in the name of this country and those that have given up much for the same reason. While you’re enjoying your ribs, hot dogs, or burger just know this: your freedoms are thanks to them. And their continued care is thanks to men like Gary Sinise and many others.
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