Actor Gary Sinise Made Honorary Chief at Navy Memorial Ceremony (photos)
Actor Gary Sinise, a long-time supporter of the military, was honored by the U.S. Navy as an Honorary Chief Petty Officer in a ceremony at the Navy Memorial in Washington on Friday, Aug. 24. Gary Sinise is best known for his role as Lt. Dan Taylor in the 1994 blockbuster movie "Forrest Gump." In that movie he portrayed an Army officer who loses both legs in Vietnam, a character that made Sinise something of a patron saint to real-life amputees. Sinise co-founded the Lt. Dan Band, in which he plays bass guitar, to entertain U.S. troops and raise money for gravely wounded warriors. The Gary Sinise Foundation was officially formed in 2010 and is dedicated to serving the United States by honoring its defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need.
Taking part in the ceremony were Fleet Master Chief Mike Stevens; Cindy McCalip, executive vice president of the U.S. Navy Memorial; and Sinise's daughter Ella who took part in the pinning ceremony.
View our photos of the ceremony at the Navy Memorial by clicking on the photo icons below.
Dear Gary: I enjoyed seeing these pictures forwarded by Bob. Ella is so beautiful. My Father was a Chief Petty Officer and was in the Navy for forty four years. So proud of all that you do for the troops. Love, Claire
I'd like to thank you for all you do for the military, we appreciate everything you do. I am a young sailor myself, stationed in San Diego. I was able to see you at balboa medical center in San Diego with your band and I thought it was a great thing you were doing in coming out there. Thank you for all you do. best regards, Mike