Actor Gary Sinise, known for his role as Lieutenant Dan in the film Forrest Gump, played a concert last night with his “Lt. Dan Band” to raise money for a North Carolina soldier who lost both legs and one arm while serving in Afghanistan.
Corporal J.B. Kerns will get a custom home from Sinise’s foundation which has helped build several technological “smart homes” to meet the needs of wounded veterans.
Gary Sinise’s passion in this area was born from his family’s deep roots in military service and from a desire to contribute following the attacks on September 11, 2001.
“Lieutenant Dan,” the character Gary portrayed in the film Forrest Gump, earned him not only an Oscar nomination, but also an instantaneous, enduring connection with servicemen in all branches of the military community. Since 2003, he has contributed his time doing hundreds of personal appearances and concerts in military bases in Iraq and around the world.
He will once again co-host the annual National Memorial Day Concert in Washington, DC this weekend.
The Gary Sinise Foundation works in partnership with Building Homes For Heroes and the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which supports children who have lost a parent, and firefighters and military that have been seriously injured. He has helped to raise millions of dollars, as well as donating his own money to help give back to military personnel and their families.
(READ the story in the Martinsville Bulletin)