By India McCarty
Gary Sinise feels “inspired and forever thankful” after another trip to The National WWII Museum with a group of veterans.
“Just back from an incredible Soaring Valor trip and my heart is full,” he posted on Instagram. “Spending time with these heroes of the Greatest Generation is always humbling. Their courage and sacrifice changed the world.”
Sinise continued, “As always, I return inspired and forever thankful. I am a #GratefulAmerican and I will never forget what they gave for our nation.”
Sinise’s Soaring Valor trips bring “World War II veterans and their guardians to New Orleans to tour The National WWII Museum built in their honor,” per The Gary Sinise Foundation’s website.
“Their experience includes entertainment, celebratory meals, and community building with their fellow heroes,” the site continued. “Students who accompany our veterans carry on their stories with a new appreciation for the sacrifices made by an entire generation.”
Related: The Gary Sinise Foundation Honors WWII Veterans’ At The National WWII Museum
Sinise is currently promoting another project intended to help America’s veterans: a new documentary, BROTHERS AFTER WAR, where he served as an executive producer. The documentary tells the story of Joe Rademacher, who served as an Army ranger sniper in Iraq. BROTHERS AFTER WAR shows what Rademacher’s life has looked like after leaving the Armed Forces.
“At the end of the film, you see [Rademacher’s] a happy family guy,” Sinise told PEOPLE. “We want veterans to see that. We want them moving forward. Process your war years, but don’t let them completely and totally define you. You can move on and have a happy life.”
The Gary Sinise Foundation even partnered with Regal Cinema to donate $150,000 to entertainment nonprofit Vet Tix, giving veterans free tickets to BROTHERS AFTER WAR.
“For years now, I felt like generally there’s a disconnect between our service members and first responders and a big portion of the American people who may not have a personal connection to them,” Sinise said in an interview with Military.com. “It’s important to educate people on why we need to support those that are willing to raise their hand and go out there and do the dirty, difficult work to defend us at home.”
He continued, “Education is a part of our mission at the Gary Sinise Foundation, and BROTHERS AFTER WAR can help provide a better understanding of what it was like to put on the uniform and serve in dangerous places like Iraq and Afghanistan.”
Sinise’s continued commitment to supporting and celebrating our nation’s veterans is an inspiring reminder of the sacrifices these men and women have made for our country.
Read Next: Gary Sinise Celebrates 25 Years of Heroic Patriotism
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