Hollywood Patriot: CSI NY’s Gary Sinise Supports Military Wounded & Children of Iraq
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on June 1, 2009
Not all the news is depressing. I stumbled upon a fascinating story that has an uplifting message, one that will likely make you smile and give you hope. I know I felt better after reading it.
Did you know that Gary Sinise, the star of TV’s CSI: New York, is one of the few Hollywood actors who openly supports our military troops? He is actively helping them as an advocate for the wounded, serving as the spokesman for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. Sinise is also a co-founder of Operation Iraqi Children, an organization that provides young Iraqi children with school supplies that are delivered by hand by the US military.
For once, an actor who isn’t hatefully bashing America or George W. Bush (gasp!), but is supporting our great country by supporting the men and women who volunteer to make the ultimate sacrifice for her. And for delusional liberals—like Sean Penn who adores socialist dictators—yes, they will defend even you with their lives, too, Sean, you ignorant statist twit. They will even defend that bitter slimeball Bill Maher, no matter that he snidely smears the military at every opportunity.
God bless you, Gary. You’re an inspiration and a positive role model for all Americans. We sure need a few more of those THESE days coming out of Tinseltown…
Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band performing at the Pentagon
Actor Gary Sinise playing guitar
Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England presents the Superior Public Service Award to Gary Sinise for his support of US servicemembers | Photo by Helene C. Stikkel
Hollywood Reporter, THR.com: Sinise on Patrol: One helping thousands
You may know him as the gritty Detective Mac Taylor in “CSI: New York” or as Lieutenant Dan in the 1994 Academy Award-winning film Forrest Gump. But an increasing number of military think of Gary Sinise as one of their own. The Emmy Award-winning actor and director has built a reputation as an advocate for the wounded and a spokesman for veterans issues. The reason: Sinise understands the mindset of those who serve. It’s why, in December, President George W. Bush awarded him the Presidential Citizens Medal, the highest honor the U.S. government bestows on private citizens other than the Presidential Medal of Freedom…
…As co-founder of Operation Iraqi Children, Sinise also helps oversee an organization that provides young Iraqis with school supplies delivered by the U.S. military. From a North Kansas City, Missouri, warehouse that collects public donations from across the country, the group estimates it has disbursed nearly a quarter million school supply kits, half a million toys, and more than 50 pallets of sporting equipment across Iraq.
Then there is Sinise’s work as spokesman for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. He raises public awareness through speaking appearances and also raises money for a monument to pay tribute to the disabled. Once complete, the monument will stand in Washington, D.C., near the National Mall. “There are many memorials that honor our war dead, but none that honor the service members and families that have endured the multiple scars of battle like so many of our wounded veterans,” Sinise said of the project.
Sinise has become such a frequent visitor at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, and other military treatment hospitals that “I think they know by now, and certainly the hospital staff knows, that I am not just there for a one-time photo opportunity.” The visits, though, are often bittersweet. “When I go into the hospitals and see somebody who’s missing his legs, they say, ‘Hey Lt. Dan, Hey look at me! I’m like you!’ It’s the gallows humor thing. They’re trying to make the best of the situation.”
An excellent piece written about the GI Film Festival by Christian Toto for Big Hollywood. Sinise also attended the festival: GI Film Festival: Where Hollywood Fears to Tread. Opening paragraph:
Brandon L. Millett has crunched the numbers and come up with a formula Hollywood doesn’t want to compute. Films featuring U.S. soldiers as the enemy don’t sell tickets. Period. So Millett decided to create the G.I. Film Festival, an annual event honoring movies that depict soldiers in a positive light.
Related reading:
Chicago Tribune: Gary Sinise speaks out in defense of military with ‘Brothers at War’
Blog 360: Gary Sinise: Protector of Children in Iraq & Military Supporter
Greg Gutfeld, Big Hollywood: Daily Gut: Troopathon
Michelle Malkin: “We really are just focused on what lies ahead” and Show time: Troopathon 2009 is here! Final total: $600,000-plus! and Hero Worship and Another day, another troop smear and Honoring the heroes of Operational Detachment Alpha 3336, 3rd Special Forces Group and Memorial Day 2009: Giving thanks for those who made the ultimate sacrifice The Oscars open thread…or NASCAR open thread; Update: Sicko loses; Hollywood uses the troops, gives lukewarm reception, then bashes them; Update: A Gulf War vet responds
Jeremy D. Boering, Big Hollywood: USO: How Hollywood Serves
Gary Graham, Big Hollywood: Troopathon 2009: Because They Serve
Ned Rice, Big Hollywood: Can Andrew Breitbart Save Hollywood?
Road2Recovery, Big Hollywood: Profiles in Courage: Army Spouse Edition
Robert J. Avrech, Big Hollywood: Flashback: Hollywood Celebrates American Military Resolve
Iflove News: Gary Sinise defends the military against ‘one-sided’ filmmakers
Michael Mandaville, Big Hollywood: Remembering Our Veterans: My Best Fourth of July
Fire Andrea Mitchell!: As Death Toll Rises and media continues not to report on them, Marines Stay Focused in Afghanistan
Pam Meister, Big Hollywood: Bono’s Classless Act – Endorsed by ‘The Won’
Just Americans Making Ethical Statements Weblog: Honoring Our Heroes
Frugal Café Blog Zone: Hollywood Angst: Country Music’s Toby Keith Claims Celebrities Fear Peer Backlash for Support of Military and ‘Star Trek’ Cast Meets Our Real Heroes: US Military Deployed in Kuwait, Iraq and Flashback: Obama’s Memorial Day Speech, 2008
Orson Bean, Big Hollywood: Troopathon 2009: Heroism Was Expected
GayPatriot: Outing Republicans: Formula for Hollywood Success
Burt Prelutsky, Big Hollywood: Where Are Liberals Hatched?
Gary Graham, Big Hollywood: Troopathon 2009: Because They Serve
Brigadier General Anthony J. Tata, Big Hollywood: Hollywood Heroes: Boots On the Ground Report
Pam Meister, Big Hollywood: When Reality TV Stars Go Bad, Who’s to Blame?
Un-Liberaled Woman: Maher Continues to Defend Jackass of the World Title
Ben Shapiro, Big Hollywood: ‘Humanly Impotent’: The Musings of Sean Penn and What Would the Media Say if Obama’s Frequent Hollywood Guests Were Oil Execs?
Eject Eject Eject, PajamasMedia: What Media Bias Really Costs the Republic
Robert Davi, Big Hollywood: Burnt Offerings: Teaching Our Children — Pride in Going Red, White and Blue
Stop the ACLU: Bill Maher is a waste of oxygen; smears our troops yet again
Kurt Schlichter, Big Hollywood: Hollywood’s Default Villain: Your Employer
Gary Graham, Big Hollywood: Janet – Put on the Coffee
ABC News: Colbert Goes Commando in Iraq
About the author
I jus want to say GOD BLESS actors like Gary Sinise & Tom Hanks. so far they are the only 2 actors…excuse me, I mean Hollywood PATRIOTS I could find on line. I could say more but I read your rules which I will respect, but trust me I could say a lot more & in more detail. whether this gets posted or not I just had to get my feelings out. thank you for at least reading it.
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS & OUR GREAT COUNTRY THEY SERVE & DEFEND.
Jeri – If you want to criticize others in Hollywood, no problem.
Just don’t use foul language and don’t be too nasty (a little nasty, with justification, is OK – crazy bashing isn’t OK).
Bless also the wrestlers with the WWF… from what my teen son says, they take off for the war zone and put on shows for the troops on Christmas Day. Gives me goose bumps thinking about it.
And to readers – consider making a donation to the USO. They operate all year, bringing joy to our brave men and women in the theater who are putting their lives on the line every day.
can you please fix my type error. I meant GOD. thank you, Jeri
I did… LOL.
thank you & GOD BLESS YOU, Jeri