AXS25 DigitalGuide V2 04.18 pages - Flipbook - Page 43
General Session
Humanity in Action:
The Importance of Empathy & Service
OTS
In 2003, after several USO handshake tours, he formed the “Lt. Dan Band” and began entertaining
troops serving at home and abroad. Over the years, the 13-piece cover band has performed hundreds of
shows for charities and fundraisers supporting wounded heroes, Gold Star families, veterans and troops
around the world.
Sinise served as the national spokesperson for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial and raised
funds for the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial in Washington, D.C. and the Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance in NYC. He
serves on the President’s Advisory Group for the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, the Community
Council for Hope for the Warriors and as an honorary board member of Tragedy Assistance Program for
Survivors (TAPS).
In 2011, to expand upon his individual efforts, he established the Gary Sinise Foundation with the mission
to serve and honor America’s defenders, veterans, first responders, Gold Star families and those in need.
The foundation remains committed to finding new and exciting ways to give back to those who sacrifice for
our nation and encouraging others to do the same has become his personal quest and what he hopes will
endure as a legacy of service to others.
In 2019, his autobiography, Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service, was released and immediately
became a New York Times Bestseller. It is the inspiring, entertaining, and profound story of how a young
“rough around the edges” kid from Chicago eventually, through his very personal and unique journey,
found his calling: to ensure that our nation’s defenders, who serve this country and its freedoms, are
never forgotten.
In recognition of his humanitarian work, Sinise has earned many distinguished honors including two awards
from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, the Bob Hope Award for Excellence in Entertainment, and
their highest honor, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Patriot Award.
Other awards include the Spirit of the USO Award, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the Spirit of Hope Award
by the Department of Defense, the Sylvanus Thayer Award from the West Point Association of Graduates
and the George Catlett Marshall Medal from the Association of the United States Army (AUSA).
In 2008, he was given the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian honor awarded to citizens
for exemplary deeds performed in service of the nation. He is only the third actor ever to receive this honor.
He was also named an honorary Chief Petty Officer by the United States Navy, an Honorary Marine by the
United States Marine Corp, and an Honorary Battalion Chief of the Fire Department of New York. On April 17,
2017, he received a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
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