It’s no secret that CSI:NY’s Gary Sinise is an avid supporter of our troops. He and the Lt. Dan Ban have preformed countless USO shows around the world. Most recently he was awarded the United States of America Presidential Citizens Medal for his work with the USO and Operation Iraqi Children, a group that provides school supplies for children in Iraq. This time Gary has put pen to paper in support of the troops. Her’s a snippet from the CNN editorial Gary wrote asking US citizens to continue to support our troops.
For over 35 years, we have had an all-volunteer military. This is a good thing. We want people to serve this country who want to be there and who do it of their own free will — not because they are drafted and forced into it.
We are lucky we have such people. What would we do if no one wanted to serve to defend the freedoms we all enjoy? And so, I feel the need to do what I can to thank them for that service in order to help keep them strong in tough times. You would be amazed at what a simple thank you will do.
I have been to Iraq four times now, Afghanistan once, and many many other places as well, all to show support of our troops. My goal is always to cover as many miles as possible and to take pictures, sign autographs and shake hands with as many troops as I can in the time I have. Trips have included bases in Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain and in Iraq — Al Asad, Al Qaim, Ramadi , Habbaniyah, TQ airbase, Mosul, Balad, Tikrit and Baghdad.
Over the last six years, I have traveled around the world and all over the United States with the USO to visit and perform with my band, The Lt. Dan band, for our troops. I have supported many grassroots troop support efforts as well, and visited our wounded in the hospitals several times. I could not be more honored to play a small part in helping our troops and their families. We can never do enough for our veterans who have sacrificed so much to keep this nation free.
But we can always try to do more.
It is my goal to continue to visit our troops, wherever they may serve. It is the least I can do for the men and women who continue to do so much for our country.
God bless America.
