Post by title1parent on Jul 5, 2010 8:25:13 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/2464620,6_1_NA05_5QS_S1-100705.article
5 Questions with ... Gary Sinise
July 5, 2010
By JOSH LARSEN jlarsen@stmedianetwork.com
Actor Gary Sinise once again brings his Lt. Dan Band to Rockin' for the Troops, the annual fundraiser sponsored by Operation Support Our Troops Illinois.
Sinise's band will close out a full day of events July 17 at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. A longtime supporter of military personnel, Sinise spoke about the cause with The Sun.
Rockin' for the Troops
When: Noon to 10:45 p.m. July 17
Where: Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
Tickets: $25
More info: www.wix.com/rewood3/OSOTIL Operation Support our Troops invites all concert-goers to bring an item for donation to military personnel. Suggested items include: Slim Jims, travel-size packages of wipes, lens wipes for glasses, foot powder and hand sanitizer (16 ounces or less).
1. How did you first become involved with Rockin' For the Troops?
"I had been quite busy with doing USO shows and visiting our troops around the world when I was asked to do a concert to support OSOTIL. I knew exactly where Wheaton was, as I had lived in Glen Ellyn from seventh grade through freshman year when I attended Glenbard West. The idea of coming back to do a concert for the troops was very appealing; and as OSOTIL was just getting started, I wanted to help.
Deb Rickert and the great folks (at OSOTIL) had their hearts (in) the right place and understand how important it is to make sure our troops know that we are here at home doing what we can to support them, so I wanted to do what I could to help them in their mission. A concert to raise money to help send care packages was right up my alley."
2. What has been most rewarding about being involved in such efforts? "Seeing these kinds of organizations thrive and succeed. The Rockin' For The Troops concert that OSOTIL puts on has become one of my favorite shows of the year, as they have done such a superb job of growing their organization and keeping it strong through tough times. They know that as long as the troops are in harm's way, we cannot let up. And this community really turns out in great numbers to support this concert."
3. What sort of feedback do you get from soldiers and their families? "They are always glad when anyone from home shows up to see them. They know that someone like me does not have to visit them. They have chosen this work, but all these volunteers who support them from home do it, because they know it's important for our country to have a strong military. These service members are stretched to the max. We want them to stay strong and come home safe.
My family is going through it also, as my nephew is in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne. We worry every day. No news is good news for us, as he cannot tell us what he is doing. So I just like to go to places where I can say thank you to these folks for all they do for us. And they, in turn, always thank me for showing up. It's quite humbling."
4. Does it get harder to rally support the longer fighting goes on?
"It is a constant mission to keep the support going as people are tired of war. But if you think you are tired, imagine what it is like for a soldier who has been deployed four or five times in the last seven years. Imagine what it is like for that family. Imagine what it is like for the families of our fallen heroes.
We must succeed in this war, and we must do everything we can for our troops in order to help them succeed so they can come home safely."
5. What's on the horizon for your acting career? "I return to 'CSI: NY' for a seventh season this fall. We start shooting at the end of July."
5 Questions with ... Gary Sinise
July 5, 2010
By JOSH LARSEN jlarsen@stmedianetwork.com
Actor Gary Sinise once again brings his Lt. Dan Band to Rockin' for the Troops, the annual fundraiser sponsored by Operation Support Our Troops Illinois.
Sinise's band will close out a full day of events July 17 at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. A longtime supporter of military personnel, Sinise spoke about the cause with The Sun.
Rockin' for the Troops
When: Noon to 10:45 p.m. July 17
Where: Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
Tickets: $25
More info: www.wix.com/rewood3/OSOTIL Operation Support our Troops invites all concert-goers to bring an item for donation to military personnel. Suggested items include: Slim Jims, travel-size packages of wipes, lens wipes for glasses, foot powder and hand sanitizer (16 ounces or less).
1. How did you first become involved with Rockin' For the Troops?
"I had been quite busy with doing USO shows and visiting our troops around the world when I was asked to do a concert to support OSOTIL. I knew exactly where Wheaton was, as I had lived in Glen Ellyn from seventh grade through freshman year when I attended Glenbard West. The idea of coming back to do a concert for the troops was very appealing; and as OSOTIL was just getting started, I wanted to help.
Deb Rickert and the great folks (at OSOTIL) had their hearts (in) the right place and understand how important it is to make sure our troops know that we are here at home doing what we can to support them, so I wanted to do what I could to help them in their mission. A concert to raise money to help send care packages was right up my alley."
2. What has been most rewarding about being involved in such efforts? "Seeing these kinds of organizations thrive and succeed. The Rockin' For The Troops concert that OSOTIL puts on has become one of my favorite shows of the year, as they have done such a superb job of growing their organization and keeping it strong through tough times. They know that as long as the troops are in harm's way, we cannot let up. And this community really turns out in great numbers to support this concert."
3. What sort of feedback do you get from soldiers and their families? "They are always glad when anyone from home shows up to see them. They know that someone like me does not have to visit them. They have chosen this work, but all these volunteers who support them from home do it, because they know it's important for our country to have a strong military. These service members are stretched to the max. We want them to stay strong and come home safe.
My family is going through it also, as my nephew is in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne. We worry every day. No news is good news for us, as he cannot tell us what he is doing. So I just like to go to places where I can say thank you to these folks for all they do for us. And they, in turn, always thank me for showing up. It's quite humbling."
4. Does it get harder to rally support the longer fighting goes on?
"It is a constant mission to keep the support going as people are tired of war. But if you think you are tired, imagine what it is like for a soldier who has been deployed four or five times in the last seven years. Imagine what it is like for that family. Imagine what it is like for the families of our fallen heroes.
We must succeed in this war, and we must do everything we can for our troops in order to help them succeed so they can come home safely."
5. What's on the horizon for your acting career? "I return to 'CSI: NY' for a seventh season this fall. We start shooting at the end of July."