Description

I am excited to call today's guest a friend, humanitarian, and an incredible advocate for the military community. Gary Sinise is an Actor, Director, Producer, and philanthropist. He is most famously known for his role as Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump, but I know him through his charitable works for the veteran community, first responders and his big giving heart. Gary shares his story on why he is a Grateful American and his drive to serve and give back to those who have served our country.

Key Takeaways

• What drives Gary to serve our military members?
• Gary knew his way of giving back was to help support several different non-profits that focused on military and veteran services, which is how he met J.R.
• Gary found a community in theater, which he had never had up until that point. It was the first time he felt like he belonged.
• Service is a great healer. After 9/11, Gary was left feeling broken-hearted and searching for purpose. He found it in the military community.
• Gary discovered the play 'Tracers' because a group of Vietnam military veterans were putting on the show to share their story. When Steppenwolf theater picked it up, veterans were lining up at the door to watch it. 
• The Gary Sinise Foundation has been around for 9 years and they work on building smartly-adapted housing for veterans, first-responders, and gold-star families in addition to other programs. And now with Covid-19, they have a new program to help healthcare workers.
• Gary knows where his freedom comes from and it should not be taken for granted.
• J.R. has always admired how Gary used his platform to talk about what's important to him.
• Continue On Your Journey
• Jrmartinez.com
• Garysinisefoundation.org

• Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service by Gary Sinise

• Steppenwolf
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