Gary Sinise Foundation Provides Home For Wounded Veteran
By Movieguide® Contributor
Marine Staff Sgt. Stuart DiPaolo and his family recently celebrated their new home, thanks to the Gary Sinise Foundation.
DiPaolo served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and was injured while training at Camp Pendleton. He had to jump out of a vehicle that then fell on its side, crushing DiPaolo’s head and breaking every bone in his face.
His injuries left him in a wheelchair, but his new home is helping him get his life back.
The Gary Sinise Foundation provided DiPaolo and his family with a new smart home that was custom built for him, with his condition in mind.
This house is the 78th home built for a wounded veteran by the Gary Sinise Foundation.
Movieguide® previously reported on the actor’s work with veterans and why he feels called to do this:
You may recognize Gary Sinise from the big screen in movies like APOLLO 13 and RANSOM, and TV shows like CRIMINAL MINDS. Sinise started his acting career in the early 80’s, but perhaps his most recognizable role is as Lieutenant Dan in the 1994 movie FORREST GUMP. In the movie, Sinise plays Lieutenant Dan, a soldier that the title character Forrest meets while service during the Vietnam War. Flash forward twenty-five years later, Lieutenant Dan’s character still has a profound impact on this Christian actor, so much so that he started his own organization that honors veterans and servicemen. While anyone who seeks to lend a hand to those in need exercises a profound kindness, Sinise’s motivation stems from something central to his core: his personal relationship with Jesus.
In recent years, Sinise spoke at a conference for the Catholic fraternal organization, Knights of Columbus, where he reflected on his faith. He said, “When I think about the life and sufferings of Christ, when I think about the stories of the extreme hardships and heavy burdens that our military men and women and their families were willing to and continue to bear, I can’t help but think about this verse: ‘For greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.’”
Along with his interaction with real-life service people during his FORREST GUMP days, his faith serves as a “catalyst” for the actor’s philanthropic work.
Starting in 2004, Sinise’s band “The Lt. Dan Band,” named for his FORREST GUMP character, travel around the globe to entertain servicemen. Although Sinise always had an affection and deep reverence for these individuals, he wanted to do more. As a result, The Gary Sinise Foundation was founded in 2011 to keep his efforts moving forward in a big way.
His mission is, “to serve and honor our nation’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need by creating and supporting unique programs that entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities.” Sinise and his foundation team are very active in the lives of everyday heroes, and their efforts draw heavily from Sinise’s example to “love others as yourself.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
