Actor Gary Sinise continued the legacy of his character “Lt. Dan” from the critically acclaimed film Forrest Gump during a special all-expense paid Hollywood trip for 50 veterans earlier this month.
ABC news reports that Sinise flew the veterans out to Las Angeles, and the three day venture included a trip to Disneyland, Paramount Studios, and a special screening of Forrest Gump with special guests director Robert Zemeckis, along with costars Mykelti Williamson (Bubba) and the legendary Tom Hanks (Forrest). In the 1994 film, Sinise portrays Forrest’s rage filled commanding officer Lt. Dan Taylor, who ends up losing both legs during the Vietnam War.
According to Fox 23 News, the role of the amputee character left a deep impact on the actor. In 2011 he formed the Gary Sinise Foundation to aid veterans with special programs. During a recent interview Sinise commented, “There's a hopeful ending to the story of Lt. Dan that all our wounded veterans want… that story that they can be standing up again and moving on with life and doing all right."
Sinise has hosted numerous events for servicemen and women, and performs regularly at U.S. military bases with his band, Lt. Dan Band.
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
