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.”
Presented annually by OTA to celebrities that champion the men and women serving in the American Armed Forces, the CSI: NY actor was awarded the Eagle Trophy for visiting troops overseas and at local hospitals, securing funds for various military charities and for raising awareness for deployed military through being executive producer of Brothers at War, a documentary film about military families during the Iraq war. Well known for his role as Lieutenant Dan Taylor in the acclaimed film, Forrest Gump, Sinise further travels and performs for troops as a member of his own Lt. Dan Band.
“I am honored to receive this great award,” says Sinise. “I am just doing what I love to do – supporting our brave men and women who give their lives for our freedom.”
In addition to receiving the Eagle Trophy and a bottle of Red, White and Blueberry Valenzano Patriotic Wine, Sinise joins past Patriot Award recipients and OTA supporters Garth Brooks, Toby Keith, Darryl Worley, Aaron Tippin, Stephen Cochran and Adam Gregory as an Honorary OTA Board Member. $2500 worth of OTA care packages were also sent to deployed US Troops in Sinise’s name.
OTA founder and executive director Mark Woods says, “There are a number of gracious celebrities that are doing so much to support deployed U.S. Troops and Gary continues to go above and beyond the call of patriotic dedication. For that, OTA and all the men and women serving our country are grateful.”
Sinise currently stars in CBS’s CSI: NY as Detective Mac Taylor. He recently narrated a biography for Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor at the Republican National Convention in support of John McCain’s candidacy for President of the United States of America. In December 2008 he was awarded the Presidential Citizen Medal, the second highest civilian medal awarded to U.S. civilians, for his humanitarian contributions to Iraqi school children and his involvement supporting U.S. Soldiers.
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.
