Over 1,800 heartwarming reasons why Gary Sinise is a national treasure
By
Tessa Robinson
Dec 2, 2023
2 minute read
We first fell in love with Gary Sinise as Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump, and we quickly learned his passion for the military community was no act.
We first fell in love with Gary Sinise as Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump, and we quickly learned his passion for the military community was no act. Following 9/11, Sinise started his own foundation.
"After the tragic events of September 11, 2001, I began devoting much of my time supporting the men and women who were deploying in response to those attacks - the brave service members who, each day, protect our cities and defend our great country," Sinise wrote on his website. "Having veterans in my own family, and having been involved with supporting our military veterans going back to the 80s and 90s, it was after that terrible day I decided to become much more active in devoting my time and resources to serving our defenders however and wherever I could."
Sinise certainly went above and beyond. He visited local NY firehouses, befriending firefighters and first responders and raising money for The Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance in honor of the 416 firefighters and one chaplain lost in the terrorist attack. But his support didn't stop with a firehouse; Sinise found a calling in supporting our military community through the Disabled American Veterans organization. He wrote, "I found it my mission to do all I could to support our wounded heroes and their families. And by getting involved with many other veterans initiatives, I began to support the children of the fallen, Gold and Blue Star Families, and wherever I could serve and honor a need within the military, veteran and first responder communities."
One of our favorite things Sinise and the Gary Sinise Foundation do is their annual Snowball Express event. This year, in partnership with sponsor American Airlines, they're taking over 1,800 surviving spouses and children to Disney World.
Here's what he posted on Linkedin:
https://www.wearethemighty.com/military-life/snowball-express-gary-sinise/
