Gary Sinise Honors 250 Families of Fallen Service Members with Concert: ‘We’re Here for Them’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Gary Sinise’s Lt. Dan Band headlined at a Nashville concert in late July, honoring 250 families of fallen service members and the most recent graduates from the actor’s Snowball Express program.
“When they can see that they’re not alone and they can see that so many people love them and care about them because we’ve got so many volunteers and people that care about the program and care about these kids that come together year after year. I mean they go back and they’re lifted up,” Sinise said.
Movieguide® previously reported on Sinise’s dedication to the families of fallen service members. In 2019, his Snowball Express program hosted over 1,000 families at Disney World.
While the pandemic has taken Disney World off the table, the FORREST GUMP star continues to find ways to help military and first responder families.
“I’ve been playing for these kids since 2007, and I’ve been playing every year since,” Sinise said. “I play for free and it’s just because I want to be part of the mission and to use the music to lift people up.”
In late July, Sinise treated families to a weekend of fun activities, culminating in his band’s performance at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, where 250 flags were displayed in honor of the fallen family members.
Sinise and his foundation continually support these children, and Dylan Simon shared the organization’s impact on his life after his father’s died while serving in Iraq.
“This organization does such a good job of making you feel that absence but also trying to bring it together, really trying to love us,” Simon said.
For those who want to support veterans and the families of fallen service members, Sinise recommends “just taking the time to pat somebody on the back and to reach out and touch them … to go where they were struggling and try to show support to them.”
He added, “If they feel like you care enough to stop by or to reach out or to ask them how they’re doing and ask them what they need, and maybe try to provide some services and support to them. That will make a huge difference.”
“We want them to know that we will not forget what they went through and we’re here for them always,” Sinise said.
Movieguide® previously reported on Sinise’s gratitude to service members:
What started as a random role in FORREST GUMP became one of Gary Sinise’s calling cards. Sinise, who played Lt. Dan in the popular movie, now travels with a band of the same name and gives back to military families.
Sinise has brought the Lt. Dan Band to major war zones to inspire American troops, and it makes the actor all the more grateful for American freedom.
“I’ve stood on the border between North and South Korea several times,” Sinise says in an interview with Fox News. “They’re free in the South and slaved enslaved in the North. You value your freedom that much more when you value that people have provided for you, and that’s the men and women of the United States military. That’s why I started my foundation. I want to support them in every way I can. Because freedom is precious, and it has to be fought for, it has to be protected. Independence from a tyranny has to be fought for and protected and I thank God for the men and women who are willing to do that and I just want to help them out.”
Sinise says his appreciation for the military actually really took off after he took the part of Lt. Dan.
“I ended up playing the Vietnam veteran in Forrest Gump and, and, at that time, I had done very little,” Sinise says. “I just hadn’t hadn’t worked in the movie or television business for very long at all when I started going out and visiting troops around the world and going to the hospitals. Most of them didn’t know who I was, but they knew Lieutenant Dan and they knew my face from the movie. So when I started taking the band with me on these tours, I just said, let’s call it Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band. They’ll at least know that the guy played the character is coming to see him. And since then, we’ve played hundreds of concerts.”
Sinise’s Lt. Dan Band is part of the Gary Sinise Foundation. Sinise’s foundation regularly gives back to military families and honors both service members and veterans.
“GSF is a personal dream; a dream and a commitment to support the men and women who serve our country around the world and here at home, to lift up their hearts, to make sure they are not forgotten, and to support the families who give of themselves so that our fellow citizens can enjoy the freedom and security their loved ones have dedicated their lives to defend and protect. I am a Grateful American for those we serve at GSF. We can never do enough,” Sinise says.
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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.
