Posted on 11/04/2013 5:50:13 AM PST by SandRat
FORT HUACHUCA — America’s defense depends on a continuously strong military, but proposed cuts concern a noted actor who has performed for military and civilian audiences in the states and overseas.
Since his portrayal of Lt. Dan Taylor in “Forrest Gump” nearly 20 years ago, Gary Sinise has become involved in numerous military-affiliated activities, establishing a musical group named after his character in the movie — the Lt. Dan Band.
On Sunday afternoon, the band performed on the post’s Warrior/Sentinel Field but before taking the stage to entertain the audience — and after a warm-up session — he spoke with the Herald/Review about his interest in the military.
His initial involvement with wounded warriors came about from his role as an officer who became a double amputee while serving in Vietnam.
“I’ve been a supporter of the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) for 20 years,” he said.
While never in the military himself, he said his father was in the Navy, two uncles served during World War II — one in the Navy and the other in the Army Air Forces on a B-17 — and his grandfather served in the Navy during World War I.
But it’s more than a family connection which has led him to become involved with the military through an organization such as the USO, Sinise said.
“I do it to support those on active duty,” he said.
And he wants to ensure the National Guard and Reserve troops who have been called up in the past dozen years “since we were attacked” in 2001 know they are appreciated as well, Sinise said.
To him, appreciation is more than just saying thanks, it’s doing things to ensure those who have served, have been wounded or need help — to include their families — are provided what they need, he said.
He has established the Gary Sinise Foundation as part of his commitment in reaching out to veterans and their families.
He, the individual, and the band — in which he is a bass guitarist — has traveled to war zones, making two trips to Afghanistan and six to Iraq, as well as to other sites, bringing entertainment to U.S. forces around the nation and globe.
The USO has been a major avenue for the shows, continuing a long tradition of serving America’s armed forces, he said.
The event on the fort was one of the USO venues.
It’s a growing relationship with the military, from portraying a wounded soldier to now, and beyond, which Sinise said has continued to grow his appreciation for soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen and others, including the numerous first responders who keep the people of America safe, Sinise said.
“It’s part of my life,” he said.
Recognizing that the nation is continuing on though an economically difficult time, Sinise said those who make decisions must ensure the nation’s defense capabilities are not cut.
“Find waste and fraud, but we can’t cut back the military,” he said.
The yo-yo system where, when there is a war the military is built up and when there is none it is severely cut has to stop, Sinise said.
His view when it comes to the nation’s military can be summed up in three words: “Keep it strong.”
Gary Sinise is a true Patriot, God Bless him!
A nice little Rockumentry, if you will, from the Lt. Dan Band in Kuwait.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVuKDo7JgZ0
Gary Sinise doing far more for our troops than the elected Elites in DC!!!
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