Gary Sinise Urges Others To Give More To Military Members And Veterans

Nov 16, 2021 by apost team

Most people remember Gary Sinise from his role as Lt. Dan in the hit movie "Forrest Gump." However, Sinise has achieved much more than the movies he has starred in and continues to make an impact on hundreds of lives every year through his work at his foundation dedicated to serving veterans and soldiers wounded during service. 

Moreover, he has also worked in theater as well as television series. He has won several accolades and awards for his movies, and most impressively, he has won various national honors for his humanitarian work with veterans. He continues to be recognized for his dedication to the United States troops even today.

Sinise has also published a book, "Grateful American," which details his life and experiences as he reflects on blessings, gratitude, and giving back to his community. This is not a typical memoir that celebrities write, but Sinise is no typical celebrity. He has dedicated his life to serving others and considers this to be his true calling.

Sinise was born in Blue Island, Illinois, to parents Robert L. Sinise and Mylles Sinise. When he was in high school, he had been an indifferent student who played in a rock band and frequented the "Glass Hallway,”, which was a place notorious for being the hangout of the slackers. 

Fortunately, he found the drama program at his high school to be a haven and he landed on the right path. Joining the theater completely transformed Sinise's life to the point that he co-founded the Tony-award-winning Steppenwolf Theater Company.

Keep reading to learn more about Sinise’s life and his service to veterans, as well as to hear his plea to the public to give more military personnel.

As he pursued a career as an actor, Sinise began to get recognized for his work. His first merit was an Obie Award in 1982 for his direction of the Steppenwolf production "True West." His true breakthrough, however, came with his role as Lt. Dan in the acclaimed 1994 movie "Forrest Gump." Not only did this role earn him an Oscar nomination and put him on the map in Hollywood, but it also steered his life into a purpose that he has made into his life's work ever since. 

In the movie, Sinise's role as the bitter veteran who was disillusioned with his life after having to go through a double amputation while on active duty was powerful. His portrayal of the character eventually coming to terms with his disability and thriving later on in the movie remains with audiences for decades. 

His role resonated with veterans across America, which opened Sinise's eyes to the difficulties that veterans continue to face once they come back home. Speaking about his experience, Sinise told Saturday Evening Post, "Prior to doing the movie, I had been involved with Vietnam veterans groups, so I wanted to play that part very badly. But afterward, vets reached out to me, and it just snowballed." 

Sinise began the Lt. Dan Band in 2004, which he co-founded with musician Kimo Williams. He has since played hundreds of shows in front of active-duty troops and veterans, both in the United States and abroad. 

The actor also started the Gary Sinise Foundation in 2011, which has raised millions of dollars every year to create programs for military veterans and members in active duty to find communities and help for rehabilitation. Moreover, the foundation also provides smart homes for wounded veterans. 

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The Gary Sinise Foundation celebrated its 10 year anniversary in November 2021. Sinise spoke out on Veteran’s Day that year to share some of his inspiration behind creating the charity and to deliver a message to the public. 

Vietnam veterans have always held a special place in Sinise’s heart, especially because he personally knows people who served in Vietnam. "I feel a duty, a responsibility to do a little more," Sinise said to KMBC. "They came home and people were spitting on them. People were shouting at them. I have friends who are Vietnam veterans who actually had feces thrown at them when they got off the airplane.”

Witnessing this treatment spurred Sinise to action. "I had spent time with a lot of actual Vietnam veterans, and I had a lot of compassion for them. I wanted to help them," he said. 

The actor’s role in “Forrest Gump” was also an inspiration for Sinise’s foundation. He shared,  "Lt. Dan was now going to become a bigger role in my life because he was a wounded veteran." Sinise’s charity provides fully accessible and mortgage-free homes for disabled veterans. 

Despite all of his many accolades for acting, Sinise sees the work he does with his foundation to be his true calling. "When joy connects to a mission, a life of purpose begins to take shape," he said.

Sinise ended his interview with KMBC by encouraging others to reach out in support of active military members and veterans. He stated, "If everybody in the country did just a little more, you know pat them on the back when you see a soldier walking through the airport. Just go up and say, 'You know, I appreciate what you do,' that could change somebody's life.” 

What do you think of Sinise’s plea to the public? Let us know and feel free to pass this along to your friends and family.