I've Always Liked Gary Sinise
Now I like him even more
Some of the article from CatholicMil.org; (Emphasis mine)
War, Family, Faith
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Behind the new film Brothers at War, which was scheduled to open in theaters March 13, are two Catholic stories.
One is that of a Catholic family struggling with issues of war and mortality; the other, of an established actor who has found inspiration in the Catholic faith to make a difference in the lives of those affected by war and terrorism.
In the R-rated documentary, Jake Rademacher, the eldest son in a Catholic American family, seeks to understand why two of his brothers serve in the U.S. Army and put their lives on the front lines.
Gary Sinise, star of "CSI: New York," is an executive producer of the film, which was screened in Washington on Feb. 20.
Sinise revealed to the Register his developing relationship with the Catholic Church.
In Brothers at War, the Rademachers express their own struggles and their faith in God. Army Capt. Isaac Rademacher has led several combat missions in Iraq, and he describes his service as "a calling." His younger brother, Sgt. Joe Rademacher, is an Army Ranger and sniper who served under Isaac in Iraq. Their parents, Dr. Dennis Rademacher and his wife, Nikki, are resigned to God's will.
The Rademachers' faith is one reason why Sinise got involved in Brothers at War.
"It's a very positive portrait of an American family," said Sinise. "I visit our service members all over the world on a regular basis, and I know who these people are. And this movie will help explain that a little more to the American people who might not understand the kinds of people that we have defending this country. In a time of war, we should know who our people are and why they do it."
Reflecting on his Catholic faith, Capt. Rademacher said, "If your personal requirement is to confess your sins, pray, whatever it may be to prepare yourself, then that's what you do."
Jake Rademacher also saw another side of fighting men. Marine Chief Warrant Officer David "Gunner" Kensington, who trains Iraqi troops, impressed him with his compassion, among other things.
In the film, terrorists come from Syria, attack the Iraqi soldiers and brutally injure two.
"One of the most amazing things I've seen and heard was that Marine softly stroking the side of the [wounded] Iraqi soldier's face," Rademacher said. After the battle, all eyes are on Kensington as he praises the Iraqis for their progress. Kensington tells the soldiers that if he should be killed they must continue to defend their country. Some of the Iraqi soldiers weep, then all rush to hug and kiss him.
Sinise's Role
At the Brothers screening, active members of the U.S. military and veterans alike thanked all the producers, but the most poignant testimonies were directed to Sinise for his outreach to the U.S. military and victims of terrorism.
Retired Navy Rear Adm. Roy Hoffmann announced that when one of his friends awoke from surgery he saw Sinise watching over him.
One of the many projects Sinise cofounded is Operation Iraqi Children, an organization that helps U.S. troops and other Americans to save Iraqi children from squalor by providing school supply kits and other necessities.
Nahla Qader, a Sunni Muslim from Iraq, thanked him for that and more.
"You can see, Mr. Gary, that when you were in Iraq with your organization to save those children that they could say, ‘I love you,'" she said. "You could feel the gratitude in their hearts. But here I am. I'm telling you that you can touch this gratitude." Then, Sinise ran from the stage and embraced her.
Discussing Qader's gratitude two days later, Sinise said, "That was an amazing moment actually, for me, because I had never met her. I didn't know her."
As it turns out, a State Department official told Sinise about war victims in Afghanistan and Iraq. One boy's arm had been blown off by terrorists, so Sinise paid for him to get a prosthetic arm in the United States. When Qader and her family gained asylum in the U.S., they had no credit or money, so he cosigned on their apartment lease and paid their rent.Thus, Qader said she's teaching her children to make sacrifices for others.
Why is Sinise so generous to servicemen and people he's never met? He said he's grateful to all American military families. In fact, he knows what they do and what they endure because many of his family members are military veterans. Above all, he said he loves God and he's inspired by the Catholic faith.
Sinise's wife, actress Moira Harris, is Catholic. Therefore, he goes to Mass with her and said the Catholic faith has helped him put things into perspective. "It's very, very positive in our lives," he said.
"I am not a Catholic and have not practiced any particular religion, but [through] my wife, through her Catholic faith and through her devotion to the Catholic Church, I've become far more faith filled in the past eight or nine years than ever before."
For more information on this genuinely good guy, please check out this article by Suzy Rice, where she highlights Sinise being awarded the Presidential Citizen Medal.
Why is it I have a funny feeling that this small bit of metal and ribbon means more to Sinise than anything Hollywood could ever bestow on him?
Now I like him even more
Some of the article from CatholicMil.org; (Emphasis mine)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Behind the new film Brothers at War, which was scheduled to open in theaters March 13, are two Catholic stories.
One is that of a Catholic family struggling with issues of war and mortality; the other, of an established actor who has found inspiration in the Catholic faith to make a difference in the lives of those affected by war and terrorism.
In the R-rated documentary, Jake Rademacher, the eldest son in a Catholic American family, seeks to understand why two of his brothers serve in the U.S. Army and put their lives on the front lines.
Gary Sinise, star of "CSI: New York," is an executive producer of the film, which was screened in Washington on Feb. 20.
Sinise revealed to the Register his developing relationship with the Catholic Church.
In Brothers at War, the Rademachers express their own struggles and their faith in God. Army Capt. Isaac Rademacher has led several combat missions in Iraq, and he describes his service as "a calling." His younger brother, Sgt. Joe Rademacher, is an Army Ranger and sniper who served under Isaac in Iraq. Their parents, Dr. Dennis Rademacher and his wife, Nikki, are resigned to God's will.
The Rademachers' faith is one reason why Sinise got involved in Brothers at War.
"It's a very positive portrait of an American family," said Sinise. "I visit our service members all over the world on a regular basis, and I know who these people are. And this movie will help explain that a little more to the American people who might not understand the kinds of people that we have defending this country. In a time of war, we should know who our people are and why they do it."
Reflecting on his Catholic faith, Capt. Rademacher said, "If your personal requirement is to confess your sins, pray, whatever it may be to prepare yourself, then that's what you do."
Jake Rademacher also saw another side of fighting men. Marine Chief Warrant Officer David "Gunner" Kensington, who trains Iraqi troops, impressed him with his compassion, among other things.
In the film, terrorists come from Syria, attack the Iraqi soldiers and brutally injure two.
"One of the most amazing things I've seen and heard was that Marine softly stroking the side of the [wounded] Iraqi soldier's face," Rademacher said. After the battle, all eyes are on Kensington as he praises the Iraqis for their progress. Kensington tells the soldiers that if he should be killed they must continue to defend their country. Some of the Iraqi soldiers weep, then all rush to hug and kiss him.
Sinise's Role
At the Brothers screening, active members of the U.S. military and veterans alike thanked all the producers, but the most poignant testimonies were directed to Sinise for his outreach to the U.S. military and victims of terrorism.
Retired Navy Rear Adm. Roy Hoffmann announced that when one of his friends awoke from surgery he saw Sinise watching over him.
One of the many projects Sinise cofounded is Operation Iraqi Children, an organization that helps U.S. troops and other Americans to save Iraqi children from squalor by providing school supply kits and other necessities.
Nahla Qader, a Sunni Muslim from Iraq, thanked him for that and more.
"You can see, Mr. Gary, that when you were in Iraq with your organization to save those children that they could say, ‘I love you,'" she said. "You could feel the gratitude in their hearts. But here I am. I'm telling you that you can touch this gratitude." Then, Sinise ran from the stage and embraced her.
Discussing Qader's gratitude two days later, Sinise said, "That was an amazing moment actually, for me, because I had never met her. I didn't know her."
As it turns out, a State Department official told Sinise about war victims in Afghanistan and Iraq. One boy's arm had been blown off by terrorists, so Sinise paid for him to get a prosthetic arm in the United States. When Qader and her family gained asylum in the U.S., they had no credit or money, so he cosigned on their apartment lease and paid their rent.Thus, Qader said she's teaching her children to make sacrifices for others.
Why is Sinise so generous to servicemen and people he's never met? He said he's grateful to all American military families. In fact, he knows what they do and what they endure because many of his family members are military veterans. Above all, he said he loves God and he's inspired by the Catholic faith.
Sinise's wife, actress Moira Harris, is Catholic. Therefore, he goes to Mass with her and said the Catholic faith has helped him put things into perspective. "It's very, very positive in our lives," he said.
"I am not a Catholic and have not practiced any particular religion, but [through] my wife, through her Catholic faith and through her devotion to the Catholic Church, I've become far more faith filled in the past eight or nine years than ever before."
For more information on this genuinely good guy, please check out this article by Suzy Rice, where she highlights Sinise being awarded the Presidential Citizen Medal.
Why is it I have a funny feeling that this small bit of metal and ribbon means more to Sinise than anything Hollywood could ever bestow on him?
11 Comments:
Gary Sinise is a phenomenal actor. I had no idea before this post what a great man he is. Thanks Caveman!
The obvious next step for this guy is that he has to get "poped". Cross the Tiber, Gary... cross it.
I've always liked him as an actor but when I heard how many times he's been to Iraq to visit and encourage our troops (many times more than the current CinC), I respected him even more.
Gary Sinese does great things for the troops. I volunteer for the USO and have seen him at USo events where he puts on a great show with his band (The Lieutenant Dan Band) and keeps the focus on the troops - instead of himself.
He is a total class act.
Truly priceless. Let's all pray for Gary to cross the Tiber. I have always loved his work. He co-founded Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company back in the 70s from which sprang, among others, John Malkovich.
That movie - is there any info on it? Is it on DVD yet?
Thanks for this. Sometimes I think there aren't any true Americans left. This story gives us hope.
I didn't realize Gary Sinise was Lt. Dan! I love this guy and now even more. I wonder if this documentary will be on Netflix soon?
Here's a question for Cavey:
Can Sinise be awarded "warrior" status even though he's never (literally) taken up arms?
I would hope so...
Dad29,
Rate Warrior status without ever taking up arms (and willingly put his life on the line)? That's gotta be a solid "no".
But considering all he's done, Sinise rates warrior status with a small case "w".
Kinda like the difference between the Navy Cross and the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.
And for those who don't know, the NC is for personal heroism in combat, the N&MCM is for heroism in a non-combat situation.
Don't forget the Navy Combat Action Ribbon. I think the Army equivalent might be the Combat Infantryman Badge. And the only "real" hero medal, according to more than one Congressional Medal of Honor awardee, is the PURPLE HEART.
There are lots of combat vets that deserved the MOH, NC, DSC, Silver Star, etc., but never were awarded one/them due to "circumstances." On the other hand, many more have been awarded the PH due to the wounds/pain they endured/suffered as a consequence of putting their lives on the line.
Mr. Sinise deserves our respect and admiration. And LT Dan was a wonderful character!
Adeo,
Just an administative moment here on my part...
The Combat Action Ribbon is essentially the Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard version of the "Led Zepplin 1974 World Tour" t-shirt. It just proves you were there.
As far as medals that are ONLY awarded for personal valor in combat, they would be the CMOH, the Navy Cross (Dist Service Cross for Army and AF), and the Silver Star. All the rest are geedunk ribbons.
The Purple Heart (I Forgot To Duck) medal isn't so much for personal valor, inasmuch as it shows what one went through, vice personal acts of valor.
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