CSI NY star Gary Sinise earned more than an Oscar nod for his role as Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump.
In the September/October 2013 issue of The Saturday Evening Post, the actor tells legendary Hollywood reporter Jeanne Wolf how he was transformed by his experience playing a character who finds the courage to come to terms with his disability.
Sinise who is also a musician, founded cover band Lt. Dan Band and rocks out for the troops. (see below)
Following the role, Sinise’s involvement with veterans groups snowballed and he formed the Gary Sinise Foundation to help America’s forgotten heroes. Now, nearly 20 years later, his focus on the cause has only grown stronger.
On what veterans taught him: “I was a kid absorbed with my own particular interests. […] I knew the Vietnam War was a bad thing. I saw the news on TV, the body bags coming home. I never thought about the young guys who were wounded until I got to know some veterans. It made me realize there’s a lot more to life than your little piece of it.”
On his music: “I can use the music to do something positive. I don’t make any money, not a dime. I’m just trying to give back to our men and women in uniform who are serving our country.”
On what guides him now: “I think your actions define who you are. They do speak louder than words. I try to take action and, if I can inspire somebody to do something positive that gives back and encourage others to do the same, then I feel like I’ve done a good job.”
Watch Sinise rock out for the troops at: saturdayeveningpost.com/gary-