OPINION:
GRATEFUL AMERICAN: A JOURNEY FROM SELF TO SERVICE
By Gary Sinise (with Marcus Brotherton)
Thomas Nelson, $26, 272 pages
“Throughout my entire life, I’d always been the type of person who chose to act — not in the theater sense of the word, although I did a lot of that. I mean take action and hopefully doing so would benefit other people along the way.”
“Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service” is a very personal story that tells of the transformation of an ordinary American into an extraordinary benefactor to those in service, not only in the military but in emergency response work as well.
Gary Sinise — founder of the acclaimed Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago in the 1980s, television and film actor extraordinaire, recognized the world over as Lt. Dan of “Forrest Gump” fame — reveals how a non-believer in Providence eventually accepts the mercy of God in his life and the life of those he is called to serve.
“After 9/11, my life’s focus radically changed, as it did for so many people,” writes Mr. Sinise, later explaining that, beginning in 2003, “my aim became to do as much as I could, as fast as I could, with as many organizations as possible, to benefit as many people as possible. I want our nation’s defenders and first responders never to be forgotten.”
The name that opened doors the fastest for Gary Sinise in his new life’s purpose was Lt. Dan, a character that resonated with the forgotten, even despised, veterans of the Vietnam War. Having almost exactly the same age as the author, I can affirm his assessments of the nation in the 1970s and 1980s. Often there was overt disdain by many for our soldiers who fought in the unpopular war.
Although my identical twin brother and I were ranked 111 (determined by birthday lottery) on the military draft list in 1972, and my best friend was number 1, the draft was ended in January 1973. Though never serving, my brother and I have always had the highest respect for those who have served, being the appreciative sons of a World War II veteran and police officer dad.
Traveling all across the globe to our military bases even in war zones, Mr. Sinise works tirelessly to make sure those who serve know that they are appreciated. To “do even more while spending a bit more time” with his family, The Gary Sinise Foundation was established in June 2011 to “serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. We do this by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities.”
Part of the entertainment portion of the Foundation’s directive has been the continued performances of Mr. Sinise’s “Lt. Dan Band,” a cover band for a wide variety of songs that touch the lives and memories of soldiers young and old. Mr. Sinise plays bass guitar in the band he founded with his friend and Vietnam veteran Kimo Williams. The music program certainly includes patriotic numbers with the band ending their performances playing Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”
“Grateful American” abounds with detailed accounts of the tragedies endured by our soldiers and their loved ones. This book is highly engaging, but I had to stop reading more than once, being overcome by emotion regarding the touching stories of the selfless men and women sacrificing all in defense of those brutalized by tyrants the world over.
As Gary Sinise reminds us: “We must ensure the sacrifices of freedom’s defenders and their families are never forgotten. We must value freedom over tyranny, embrace the opportunities that freedom affords us, and support and remember those who provide it.”
This is a message from one grateful American for all grateful Americans.
• Anthony J. Sadar is a certified consulting meteorologist, author, and long-time USO supporter.
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