Sinise, who recently moved from Los Angeles to Nashville, is also serving again this year as honorary grand marshal of the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., which takes place on Memorial Day itself.
In a separate report, Fox News noted:
Some 5,000 participants are expected to parade down Constitution Avenue before a crowd of 250,000 people on Monday, according to the American Veterans Center in Arlington, Virginia.
Sinise shared personal and deeply felt thoughts with Fox News Digital about how “incredibly important” it is to show support for America’s military and their families today.
“Memorial Day has been a longstanding tradition of remembrance for me and my family,” Sinise told Fox News Digital on Friday. “As a nation, it’s incredibly important to honor the families of the fallen — the heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting and defending our country.”
“Through my many travels, visiting combat zones, our wounded in the hospitals and especially spending time with our precious families of our fallen heroes — it has become a personal life mission to honor and remember those who selflessly serve and sacrifice so much,” he continued.
“That is one of the many reasons why I created the Gary Sinise Foundation, because I want all our defender communities, our veterans, service members, first responders and their families who sacrifice alongside them to always know that there are grateful Americans who love and appreciate them,” the actor noted further.
“And we’re here for them before, during and after the battle. When I think about my participation in this year’s Memorial Day Parade, the first parade since before the pandemic, one simple word comes to mind. Gratitude,” he said.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to honor our fallen. I am grateful to support the families of our fallen heroes. And I am grateful for every day that I have — to continue paying it forward to these brave men and women and ensuring that their memory and legacy of service to our country will never be forgotten,” said Sinise.