Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service(97)

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 not 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.