'Forrest Gump' Star Gary Sinise Celebrates 25th Anniversary Of Rebuilding Lives Of Disabled Veterans

Aug 28, 2019

If you have seen the movie "Forrest Gump", then you know that the character of Lieutenant Dan has lived on forever in the heart of actor Gary Sinise.

Working selflessly with disabled veterans for the last 25 years, many of them know the actor on a first-name basis. What has he been doing with veterans during this time?

Gary Sinise was the type of actor that made his character come alive on the screen. Once the filming was over, it didn't stop for him. He went on a personal mission to help disabled veterans around the country. Gary Sinise didn't leave his character of Lieutenant Dan too far behind but rather went to work learning how to care for the men and women just like his character.

You have probably figured out by now that disabled veterans couldn't get enough of his portrayal of a disabled veteran. In fact, his portrayal was so compelling, he received the National Commander's Award from the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). They honored him with the award in 1994, but the inscription was more than he could bear in his emotions.

The inscription read, "Your superb performance brought awareness of the lifelong sacrifice of disabled veterans back into public consciousness in a remarkably positive way." Since this time, Gary Sinise has focused on finding ways to honor veterans and military service members as well as their families.

Gary Sinise has worked selflessly for the last 25 years to aid in bettering the lives of these disabled veterans and their families. He has done so by working closely with Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

He formed the Gary Sinise Foundation in order to help raise the funds for these families. Additionally, he served the DAV as the national spokesperson for all of their events and endeavors with disabled veterans.

Dennis Joyner and Jim Sursely, both members with DAV, were touched that he would spend his time outside of his acting career, dedicated to serving veterans and their loved ones.

Gary Sinise has spoken openly about his love for the DAV, and he speaks often about the honor of meeting so many different veterans from all over the country and hearing their stories. There are veterans on his side of the family and his wife's family, so it's no surprise he considers these disabled veterans his family too.

Do you do charity work to support veterans? Let us know in the comments - and make sure you pass this along to your friends and family!