Grateful American
Page 32
There is an unfortunate disconnect between most Americans and our military. Unless we have a family member or close friend who is serving, most of us go about our daily lives with little understanding of who is actually defending us. The majority of Americans will never have a chance to see what our military does on a daily basis. Our service members are exceptional in so many ways. And not just at fighting our wars. When disasters such as hurricanes, fires, floods, and earthquakes strike, our carriers, helicopters, and hospital ships (floating medical treatment facilities) offer aid and support in countless ways to nations far and wide. Our military and first responders go into harm’s way in service to others over and over again. I want to know what they do, how they do it, and why they do it, and they have allowed me some special privileges over the years as I have visited them around the world. Our amazing pilots have taken me to seventy-two thousand feet in a U-2 spy plane over northern California, and pushed my body to 7 Gs in an F-16 in Aviano, Italy. I have landed in a C-2 Greyhound on the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in the Persian Gulf, and in the cockpit of an F-18 Super Hornet onto the carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt off the coast of San Diego. I’ve experienced training with US Army Special Forces in Germany and have witnessed firsthand how Navy SEALs complete BUD/S class and Hell Week on Coronado Island. I have seen American sons and daughters wearing the cloth of this nation as they serve in war zones. Year after year I have walked the halls of our military hospitals and witnessed our wounded as they face their challenges with great strength and courage, supported by the selfless caregivers who stand by day after day, month after month, year after year, helping them through. And I have seen the extraordinary care with which the members of the military and first responder communities honor their fallen brothers and sisters. Each time I have been allowed the privilege of participating in these types of experiences, it has helped me to become a more educated advocate, as I try to help bridge that disconnect. If only all of our fellow citizens could get to know them as I have, the difficult issues and challenges our veterans face would be greatly reduced as more of us would be inspired to take up the charge to support them. As a public figure, I am grateful that I have been able to use my platform to pass on what I have learned about who our military is, how skilled they are, and how fortunate we all are to have men and women like these serving our country.
Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”
Those words have stuck with me. As I have traveled the world, sometimes visiting countries that have not known the blessings of liberty, I have realized more and more the high cost of preserving that freedom, and the sacrifices of those who have provided it for us over the years. Freedom is not something all human beings simply get to have and enjoy. A price must be paid, and I am grateful to those who are willing to pay that price, sometimes the ultimate price. Because of these special Americans, I have been able to live out my dreams, succeed at my chosen career, and turn that success into something positive for others.
I am thankful for the many inspirational individuals and friends I have met over the years who have helped me and supported me. I am grateful for my loving family and for the fact that we have overcome the many challenges faced along the way and are stronger for it. And I am most fortunate to have met the love of my life, my beautiful Moira, my best friend through all our ups and downs, who has showed me how God’s grace truly works.
At the conclusion of the film Saving Private Ryan, James Ryan—having fought through and survived the terrible world war of the 1940s and now an old man—stands among the thousands of graves of our buried dead in Normandy. After looking down at the grave of the man who gave his life to save him and with his own life now near its natural end, Ryan looks into the eyes of his wife and says to her, “Tell me I’ve led a good life . . . Tell me I’m a good man.” She answers him with a quiet and passionate, “You are.”
For those who have sacrificed for me, for those who have inspired me, for those who have supported me in the many endeavors over the years that I’ve shared in these pages, and for those who have loved me and who I love, I hope to continue to make the most of that love, that support, that inspiration, and that sacrifice for as long as I live. I want to lead a good life, not just for myself, but also for my fellow man. A life of service, to try to make the world a better place. America has given me this opportunity, and for that, I will always be grateful.
Called to Action
SOME OF THE ORGANIZATIONS AND EFFORTS GARY SINISE HAS SUPPORTED OVER THE YEARS
The United Service Organizations (USO)
The Aleethia Foundation/Friday Night Dinners
The Fire Department of New York (FDNY)
The Fire Family Transport Foundation
Friends of Firefighters (NY)
Disabled American Veterans
The Coalition to Salute Americas Heroes
The Wounded Warrior Project
The Dancing Angels Foundation
Operation Gratitude
Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund
Navy SEAL Foundation
Operation Home Front
“A Million Thanks” Letter Writing Campaign
Chicago Police Memorial Foundation
Operation Support Our Troops Illinois/America
Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Foundation
Special Operations Warrior Foundation
The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial
National Memorial Day Concert and Parade
Unmet Needs, a program of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial
The Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance
The Lansing Veterans Memorial
America Supports You
The documentary “Brothers at War”
The GI Film Festival
Hope for the Warriors
Snowball Express
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
Fort Worth Air Power Foundation and American Airlines Skyball
The Independence Fund
The Intrepid Foundation
Tunnel to Towers Foundation
United States Veterans Arts Program
Fisher House Foundation
Golden Coral and Camp Coral
My Good Deed (a 9/11 Day of Service and Volunteerism)
Various Public Service Announcements for Military and Veterans’ Causes
Visits of the Wounded at Military Hospitals
GARY SINISE AND THE LT. DAN BAND
Ben Lewis (keyboards)
Ernie Denov (lead guitar)
Danny Gottlieb (drums)
Elizabeth Gottlieb (percussion)
Jeff Vezain (vocals/rhythm guitar)
Dan Myers (violin/vocals)
Mari Anne Jayme (vocals)
Julie Myers (vocals)
Molly Callinan (vocals)
Kirk Garrison (trumpet)
Mitch Paliga (saxophone)
Tom “Bones” Malone (trombone)
Gary Sinise (bass guitar)
THE CREW
James Stuckman (tour/production manager)
Scott Steiner (sound mixer)
Tristan Beache (monitor engineer)
Art Beresheim (production coordinator)
Acknowledgments
The writing of Grateful American was a stimulating and challenging process—and it would have been far more challenging had I not had the support, love, and friendship of so many wonderful people over the years, people who have enriched my life and encouraged me to keep going when times were tough.
And there have been many. A whole other book’s worth, in fact. But here I’d like to acknowledge a select group who played a specific role in supporting me in a number of my current endeavors—some of the key moments highlighted in the book—as well as those without whom I would n
ot have taken on the task of writing this memoir.
First, my family. I dedicate this first book to my beloved wife, Moira, the love of my life who has supported and helped me, and who read the first draft, giving me feedback and responses that were vital in the development of the book. I love you, honey. Thank you. I also dedicate the book to my children: Sophia, McCanna (Mac), and Ella. I am so proud of them and grateful for them. You are the best kids a dad could ask for. And to my parents, Bob and Millie Sinise, whose love and support has always been there: thanks, Mom and Dad. And to my sister, Lori, and my brother, Craig: thank you for being you. Love you both.
It was Cait Hoyt at Creative Artists Agency who put a bug in my ear about doing the book in the first place and who originally discussed the idea with my manager, Marc Gurvitz, and my agent, Matt Delpiano. Cait is a terrific book agent who gave me excellent notes on the first draft, and Marc and Matt are dear friends who have been with me and supported me for over twenty years. All three were great champions of this project. Thank you, folks.
Cait introduced me to Marcus Brotherton, and it was a great pleasure to work with Marcus. A wonderful writer, Marcus has a tremendous ear and is a great listener who was able to sort through my thoughts and help me get them organized. With my schedule so busy all the time, working with Marcus made it possible for me to get this done a lot sooner than I would have without his keen insight and excellent skill, and I thank him very much for the great work.
Matt Baugher and Brian Hampton at Thomas Nelson were eager to support the book, and our editor, Webster Younce, was great to work with. Webb was a steady voice and patient ear, and he gave me great advice in crafting the final drafts. Thank you, gents, as well as everyone at Thomas Nelson who supported this project.
My great executive assistant, Cristin Bartter, and my wonderful son, Mac, were also very helpful in research and helping me find key historical information. Thank you, Cristin and Mac, for your hard work.
Staci Wolfe has been my friend and publicist for over twenty years, doing a superb job at both. She has a keen eye and was very helpful with notes on the second draft. Thanks to both Staci and her colleague Greg Longstreet for doing a great job and for being wonderful friends and supporters.
At the Gary Sinise Foundation, thank you to Judy Otter, our staff, our Ambassadors Council, our Advisory Board, and members of our board of directors Jim Shubert and Pat Velasco, as well as former board members Jim Palmersheim and Bob Pence, for their support of my efforts over the years to serve and honor the needs of our veterans. Having a great team in place keeping the ship sailing along gave me the peace of mind and confidence that I could take the time required to write the book.
Finally, thank you to the inspirational first responders, military veterans, and family members who are the focus of much of this book. Your service to our country is very much appreciated by this grateful American.
God bless you.
About the Author
GARY SINISE, actor, director, musician, and humanitarian, has been an advocate for America’s veterans for nearly forty years. He’s best known for his roles in the award-winning movies Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, Ransom, Of Mice and Men, Truman, George Wallace, and The Green Mile, and in the hit TV shows CSI: NY and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.
Gary has won an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was nominated for an Oscar.
He’s the founder of the Gary Sinise Foundation, which serves and honors America’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. He’s the leader and bass player for the Lt. Dan Band, which has entertained more than half a million troops around the world. He is the cofounder of the prestigious Steppenwolf Theatre of Chicago.
Gary has been presented with many awards, including the Spirit of Hope Award by the Department of Defense. He was named an honorary Chief Petty Officer by the United States Navy, was pinned as an honorary marine, and received the Sylvanus Thayer Award at West Point, given to a civilian “whose character, service, and achievements reflect the ideals prized by the US Military Academy.” He’s the recipient of the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian honor awarded to citizens for “exemplary deeds performed in service of the nation.”
Gary lives with his wife, actress Moira Harris, outside of Los Angeles.
garysinisefoundation.org
MARCUS BROTHERTON is the New York Times bestselling author or coauthor of more than twenty-five books, including Tough as They Come with SSG Travis Mills, and We Who Are Alive and Remain: Untold Stories from the Band of Brothers. He has won the Christopher Award for literature that “affirms the highest value of the human spirit.”
marcusbrotherton.com
Photos
(DAV/J. CHANEY)
Receiving the Disabled American Veterans Commander’s Award, August 1994, at the Conrad Hilton Hotel in Chicago. Pictured with disabled veteran and 1994 DAV National Commander Richard Marbes.
(AUTHOR’S PERSONAL COLLECTION)
My great-grandparents Vito Sinise and Anna Maria Fusco. Photo taken in Italy, late 1800s.
(AUTHOR’S PERSONAL COLLECTION)
My dad, Robert Sinise, in the early 1950s, serving as a photo mate in the US Navy.
(AUTHOR’S PERSONAL COLLECTION)
Family shot, 1964, in front of our first house in Highland Park, Illinois. L-R: Grandpa Dan, me with baseball glove, Mom and my sister Lori, Dad, my brother Craig, and Grandma Betty.
(AUTHOR’S PERSONAL COLLECTION)
Me, age 5, 1960. The uniform was a gift from an uncle serving in the US Army.
(AUTHOR’S PERSONAL COLLECTION)
My sixth grade band playing at a party in our backyard in Highland Park, 1966. I’m second from the right in white socks and penny loafers.
(AUTHOR’S PERSONAL COLLECTION)
Jeff Perry (left) and me acting in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, the third Steppenwolf production, June 1974.
(AUTHOR’S PERSONAL COLLECTION)
My mom snapped this picture of me in 1976 outside the Catholic school basement theater. I’m 21 years old. This is the first Steppenwolf sign, ever.
(LISA HOWE-EBRIGHT)
Steppenwolf ensemble pictured on the elevated train tracks, north side of Chicago, fall 1980. Left of sign, from back to front: Glenne Headly, Tom Irwin, John Mahoney, Joan Allen, Terry Kinney, Alan Wilder, Rondi Reed. Right of sign, from back to front: John Malkovich, Francis Guinan, Moira Harris, Jeff Perry, me, Laurie Metcalf.
(LISA HOWE-EBRIGHT)
Playing a character named “Dopey” in Balm in Gilead, 1980.
(© DOROTHEA JACOBSON-WENZEL)
Moira and me on our wedding night, July 21, 1981, at a party at our apartment after a performance of Balm in Gilead.
(TRIWEST HEALTHCARE ALLIANCE)
Moira and me making our entrance at the 2012 Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Celebration of Freedom event at the Reagan Library. I cohosted this event for five years.
(MARTHA SWOPE, NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY DIGITAL COLLECTION)
With John Malkovich in the New York production of True West, October 1982, off-Broadway, Cherry Lane Theater. This is the final scene of the play. All hell’s about to break loose.
(AUTHOR’S PERSONAL COLLECTION)
Here I am in December 1983 at our bootcamp for the cast of Tracers at the closed down summer camp in Sawyer, Michigan.
(METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER STUDIOS)
With John Malkovich and Elaine Steinbeck, fall 1991, on the set of Of Mice and Men.
(METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER STUDIOS)
Directing and acting in Of Mice and Men in Santa Ynez, California, fall 1991.
(FORREST GUMP PARAMOUNT PICTURES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)
A production still of me as Lieutenant Dan on the set of Forrest Gump, shot in Beaufort, SC, fall 1993.
(AUTHOR’S PERSONAL COLLECTION)
Before a flight on the KC 135, known as the “Vomit Comet,” during training for A
pollo 13 at Johnson Space Center in Houston in 1994. L-R: me, Ron Howard, producer Todd Hallowell, Kevin Bacon, Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton. Notice the two white plastic bags in each of our front pockets in case we got sick on the flight. Guess who returned with only one bag?
(COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL STUDIOS LICENSING LLC)
On the set of Apollo 13 playing naval aviator and astronaut Ken Mattingly.
(AUTHOR’S PERSONAL COLLECTION)
Moira, me, and the kids, 1994, at our home in Pasadena. That Hawaiian shirt was one of my favorites back then. It was my personal shirt, but I ended up wearing it in a scene in Forrest Gump.
(JAN CRANE / MALIBU TIMES)
With my family at a candlelight vigil in our neighborhood, three days after the attacks of September 11, 2001.
(HBO MEDIA RELATIONS DIGITAL LIBRARY)
A production still from Truman, 1995, shot in and around Kansas City, Missouri. The makeup took 4.5 hours each day to apply.
(LAMPLIGHT ENTERTAINMNENT, INC. / JONATHAN FLORA, PRODUCER/DIRECTOR)
Visiting Ground Zero in New York in 2008. This photo was taken from the documentary film, Lt. Dan Band: For the Common Good.
(SARAH FARNSWORTH)
Speaking to thousands of troops, November 2003, at a USO show at Camp Anaconda, Balad, Iraq.
(LES MARTINES)
Me with Wayne Newton, Neal McCoy, Chris Isaak, and Iraqi schoolkids at the Abu Hassan School in Balad, Iraq, November 2003. The idea of sending school supplies to the troops to distribute to kids began to take shape in my head that day.