Disabled vets memorial gets actor’s support

By Gordon Lubold - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Jan 23, 2007 6:09:23 EST

Actor, musician and military advocate Gary Sinise thinks there should be a national memorial to disabled veterans and he plans to announce the $65 million initiative in the coming days.

Sinise, who stars in the television drama “CSI: New York” and frequently tours the military with his Lt. Dan Band — named after the character he played in the 1994 film “Forrest Gump” — is throwing himself behind a project that would honor both the 3 million living disabled veterans, as well as those who have died. Sinise’s character in “Forrest Gump” lost his legs in the Vietnam War; Sinise was nominated for an Academy Award for the role. Sinise is also associated with the Disabled Veterans Life Memorial Foundation, which will build the memorial on a two-acre site near at the foot of the Capitol grounds in Washington.

About $25 million of the $65 million needed for the memorial has already been raised, according to the foundation. The marble-and-glass memorial, which features a reflecting pool and lone flame, is being paid for through donations by individuals, veterans groups, corporations and other foundations.

Sinise, whose speech may be carried by C-SPAN, will speak Friday at the National Press Club in Washington. More information is available online.

Ellie