‘It was very special’: Gary Sinise describes the ‘heartwarming’ feeling of flying 1,722 Gold Star family members to Disney World for the holidays with his foundation that raises $30M annually for the heroes
- Gary Sinise sent 1,722 gold star family members to Disney World this month
- With Snowball Express Sinise helps military families heal after losing a loved one
- The trip to Florida was sponsored by American Airlines which provided 14 planes
- Sinise said: ‘Bringing all these kids together at the happiest place on earth was very, very special’
- Forrest Gump star’s The Lt. Dan Band performs each year for the program
- He said the annual event was ‘heartwarming’ and ‘heartbreaking’
Gary Sinise said sending 1,722 gold star family members to ‘the happiest place on earth was very, very special’, following the success of his foundation’s holiday trip to Disney World this year.
The award-winning actor, 63, is known for his role as Lieutenant Dan Taylor in 1994 movie Forrest Gump but in real life he has dedicated decades to helping military relatives heal after losing a loved one in conflict zones.
Although he has worked with the Snowball Express Program for the past 11 years to travel with young people and their guardians, in 2018 he took things an extra step further with the pre-Christmas excursion to Florida sponsored by American Airlines.
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Gary Sinise (center) sent 1,722 gold star family members to Disney World this month
With Snowball Express Sinise helps military families heal after losing a loved one
He said the bittersweet annual event, which took place at Disney World this year, was ‘heartwarming’ and ‘heartbreaking’
‘You cannot underestimate the power of bringing all these kids together in a happy environment because we’re trying to bring joy to them right before the holidays, which is a difficult time for a child who’s lost a parent,’ he told The Hollywood Reporter.
‘So bringing all these kids together at the happiest place on earth was very, very special.
‘We have counseling, we have all kinds of communal activities that focus on the healing aspect of a gold star family member who’s grieving, but we also want to provide hope, happiness and joy.’
Sinise said: ‘Bringing all these kids together at the happiest place on earth was very, very special’
The pre- Christmas excursion to Florida sponsored by American Airlines. They used at least 14 planes
Over 14 aircraft safely transported participants from 80 cities across the country and approximately 1,000 American Airlines team members volunteered their time.
In total more than 600 families of fallen heroes got to participate in the trip that took place early December.
Sinise puts his famous movie character at the forefront of his charity work and his The Lt. Dan Band performs each year at the event for the holidays.
The trip took place in early December and brought a smile to the faces of many
In total more than 600 families of fallen heroes got to participate in the trip
They safely transported participants from 80 cities across the country and approximately 1,000 American Airlines team members volunteered their time
He described the occasion as bittersweet.
‘It’s heartwarming because it makes you feel good to see the kids laughing and having a fun time, but it’s also heartbreaking because you know why they’re there,’ he continued.
‘They’re there because of loss and grief, and because they are a military family who’s paid the ultimate price.’
Each year he raises $30million to build homes for wounded veterans and support gold star families.
Forrest Gump star’s The Lt. Dan Band performs each year for the program. He is pictured in 1994 film