NASHVILLE, Nov. 2 /Christian Newswire/ — Operation Troop Aid (OTA), a nonprofit organization which supports deployed U.S. soldiers, recently honored Emmy and Golden Globe Award winning actor Gary Sinise with the 2009 Operation Troop Aid “Patriot Award.”

Photo: OTA founder and executive director Mark Woods, Gary Sinise and Wanda Woods (Trophy Courtesy of Custom Trophy & Apparel-Florence KY)

Founded in 2005 by 21-year military veteran, Mark Woods, Operation Troop Aid provides care packages for deployed U.S. Service Members with revenue generated through professional concert promotions and public financial generosity. OTA is a nonprofit corporation striving to make a positive difference and inspire the Armed Forces by letting them know Americans stand with them. For more information on OTA, visit www.OperationTroopAid.org or call 901-355-8844.

This evening in Los Angeles, Gary, and those who inspire him, took part in the First West Coast Advanced Tribute Screening of Jonathan Flora’s documentary feature, Lt. Dan Band: For The Common Good.

The Lt. Dan Band: For The Common Good is a moving documentary feature film that celebrates America’s heroes and chronicles the journey of Academy Award nominated actor, Gary Sinise.  By following Gary and his band around the world for over a year and a half, including Iraq and Kuwait, Flora introduces the audience to many of the heroic first responders, the brave men and women in uniform, their families and the many wonderful citizens that support them.
 
The documentary has an amazing soundtrack and special appearances by numerous celebrities, including John Ratzenberger, Melina Kanakaredes, Mykelti Williamson, Connie Stevens, and Academy Award Winners, Jon Voight and Robert Duvall.  Produced and directed by Hollywood filmmaker and 82nd Airborne Veteran Jonathan Flora, this film is that rare movie that entertains even as it inspires.

The first Advance Tribute Screening was held last month in NY on board the USS Intrepid during the weekend of 9/11 for over 1100 first responders, military personnel, and their families.  

Information as to when and where the documentary will be released to the public will be posted when  available.  

Special thanks to J. Treese for sharing this news.

This event has concluded. The transcript is available here.

Apologies for the short notice on this item.

At noon today (December 15th), Gary will be participating in Ask the White House.  This is an online interactive forum that allows you to submit a question to administration officials and friends of the White House.

Gary, a 2008 recipient of the Presidential Citizens Medal, will discuss Operation Iraqi Children and the importance of community service.

Read more about Ask the White House Here

Submit a question Here

President George W. Bush stands with Gary Sinise after presenting him with the 2008 Presidential Citizens Medal Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House. White House photo by Chris Greenberg.

Today, President Bush will present Gary (along with twenty-two others) the Presidential Citizens Medal at the White House

The White House press release offered the following comment:

Gary Sinise is a humanitarian and a patriot. Working alongside our military and reaching out a compassionate hand to Iraqi children, he is helping a society once brutalized by a tyrant to rebuild and realize the great blessings of liberty. He has also travelled the world to show America’s gratitude to our service members. The United States honors Gary Sinise for his efforts to improve the human condition and his strong commitment to the selfless men and women who devote their lives to military service.

The Presidential Citizens Medal was established in November 13, 1969, to recognize U.S. citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service for the nation. It is one of the highest honors the President can confer upon a civilian, second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Gary will receive one of the 2008 Ellis Island Medal of Honor awards given by the National Ethnic Coalition (NECO) this evening in New York City. This award is presented to “outstanding Americans who have distinguished themselves as citizens of the United States and have enabled their ancestry groups to maintain their identities while becoming integral parts of American life.”

The annual award ceremony takes place at Ellis Island and is followed by a gala reception in Ellis Island’s Great Hall. Fireworks in New York Harbor will cap off the evening.

Read more about the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and past recipients here. A list of the 2008 recipients is available here.

Read more about Gary (including comments and a nice CSI NY photo) in an article by Richard Huff in today’s Daily News.

Here is a (very brief) video clip of Gary speaking at the AARP Inspire Awards on December 3rd, and the AARP The Magazine write up about him can be found here.

Gary was one of the recipients of the AARP The Magazine 2008 Inspire Awards. He and fellow honorees received their awards during a private luncheon hosted by Barbara Walters at the New York Public Library on December 3, 2007. The Inspire Awards (formerly called the Impact Awards) pay tribute to 10 extraordinary people whose contributions inspire others to action through their innovative thinking, passion and perseverance.

In addition to Gary, who is honored for his fundraisng efforts on behalf of Operation Iraqi Children, this year’s honorees include Caroline Kennedy (Community Service Advocate), Gladys Knight (Champion for Diabetes Research), Barbara Morgan (Courageous Educator), Liviu Librescu (Virginia Tech Hero), Helen Thomas (Trailblazing Journalist), Cynthia Kenyon (Pioneer in Longevity Research), Ed Boyer (Founder of Air Transportation Aid), Roslyn Hill (Leader of Neighborhood Revitalization), and Pete Garcia (Affordable Housing Advocate).

Group photo of 2008 honorees (photo source: http://www.minonline.com/)

There are additional photos Gary at the AARP event and the OIC fundraiser in Ft Lauderdale-Miami (last month) at: Wire Image.

The evening began with reading congratulatory letters from Mel Gibson and Albino Alligator director, Kevin Spacey. Three short film montages were shown in between question and answer segments led by local film critic Phoebe Flowers. (In the coming days, I will post an entry about the questions posed and Gary’s responses; I wanted to get these photos up for everyone sooner rather than later).

After attending a screening of fellow festival guest Mary Stuart Masterson’s film The Cake Eaters, Gary and family joined guests at the Signature Grand for a reception in his honor. Gary also attended screenings of his movies Of Mice and Men and Wallace while attending the festival.

Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival Chairman of the Board John Boisseau presents the Career Achievement Award to Gary Sinise during the 22nd Annual Film Festival. Photo by J.R. Davis.

Gary Sinise during an audience Q&A at the 22nd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. Photo by J.R. Davis.

Special thanks to Jan Mitchell at Jan Mitchell & Associates, FLIFF and J.R. Davis for the providing the photographs above for use by Sinisefans.

The fine folks at the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival will present Gary with a Career Achievement In Film Award on Friday, November 9th, 7:00PM at the Miniaci Performing Arts Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Gary is scheduled to attend the event which will include a collage of clips reflecting upon some of his memorable screen moments and an (Inside The Actors Studio style) audience Q&A. A reception will follow at the Signature Grand.

Throughout the festival FLIFF will present some of Gary’s most memorable movies: Forrest Gump, The Human Stain, Truman, Ranson, Wallace and Of Mice and Men.

As of tonight, tickets for “An Evening with Gary Sinise” are still available: $30 General Admission, $20 for FLIFF members. Please see: FLIFF schedule for details.