As we begin a new year, I want you to remember something.
In these dangerous times, with wars raging on multiple fronts, it is important to remember there are millions of men and women who have volunteered to wear a uniform to serve and protect our great country. Whether you support the war or not, everyone should say thank you to our troops.
I am proud that members of my family have served our country. My father Robert served in the Navy in the early 1950s. My Uncle Jack was a navigator on a B17 Flying Fortress during WWII. My Uncle Jerry served in the Pacific during WWII and my grandfather Daniel Sinise was in the army in WWI.
My brother-in-law Jack Treese served as a medic in Vietnam and wore his dog tags on a rosary with a St. Christopher medal. I wore that same rosary and dog tags as my character, “Lt. Dan”, in the movie “Forrest Gump”.
With the help of the USO, my brother-in-law Jack, and my friend Jonathan Flora who used a handheld camera, you will see what happened on a seven day trip I took to Iraq last summer which will air this Saturday night on the FOX News Channel.
It was my fourth trip there with the USO. My goal, as always, was to cover as many miles as possible and to take pictures, sign autographs and shake hands with as many troops as I could in the time I had. Stops included bases in Kuwait and in Iraq — Al Asad, Al Qaim, Ramadi , Habbaniyah, TQ airbase and Baghdad.
It was the first time I have let a camera follow me around on one of these trips. Over the last six years, I have traveled around the world and all over the United States to visit and perform for our troops with the USO. I have supported many grass roots efforts as well and visited our wounded in the hospitals several times. I could not be more honored to play a small part in helping our troops and their families. We can never do enough for our veterans who have sacrificed so much to keep this nation free.
But we can always try to do more.
On a personal note, I appreciate that FOX News has allowed me to share some of my experiences by putting together a one hour special that is airing this Saturday, Jan. 10 at 9p ET on FOX News Channel.
There are many ways to say thank you to our nation’s troops and veterans. If you are looking for a way to help and get involved, below I’ve listed the Web sites of a few of the charities I support including my own, Operation Iraqi Children.
It is my goal to continue to visit our troops… wherever they may serve. It is the least I can do for the men and women who continue to do so much for our country by defending the freedoms we all share as Americans.
Here’s to a great 2009!
God bless America.
Gary Sinise
Don’t miss this weekend’s special “On the Road in Iraq With Our Troops and Gary Sinise” – Saturday 9pm ET! To see the Fox News promo click here.
Check these links out for yourself:
The United Service Organization http://www.operationiraqichildren.org/
Operation Iraqi Children http://www.operationiraqichildren.org/
Disabled American Veterans http://www.dav.org/
The Wounded Warrior Project http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
The Coalition To Salute Americas Heroes http://www.saluteheroes.org/
Snowball Express http://www.snowballexpress.org/
Fisher House http://www.fisherhouse.org/
American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial http://www.avdlm.org/
Operation Gratitude http://www.opgratitude.com/
Operation Sup port Our Troops Illinois http://www.osotil.org/
