Actor/Humanitarian Gary Sinise and the Gary Sinise Foundation have announced their “Hollywood Salutes Heroes” multi-day celebration, an expression of thanks to those who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The Foundation enlisted main sponsors USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore & American Airlines to coordinate participants and travel for over 100 wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans and their guests across the country to take part, and brought together supporting sponsors Disneyland Resorts, Paramount Pictures, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Sysco Foodservice, Greyhound and Pacific Coachways to present the first time event in Los Angeles on February 3 – 6.
Highlights of the event will air on ABC’s “Countdown To The Oscars” primetime television special airing Thursday, February 27, 8pm ET.
“These few days were all about giving these heroes an incredible experience they will never forget. If we can help lift their spirits after they’ve sacrificed so much, we owe them that,” said Sinise.
Sinise traveled from Washington DC along with 50 wounded, ill and injured troops, veterans and their guests from Walter Reed Army Medical Center located on the campus of Naval Support Activity Bethesda and from Fort Belvoir Community Hospital to sunny Southern California where they met up with wounded from Naval Medical Center San Diego for a few fun-filled days. Hollywood rolled out the red carpet during the heroes’ whirlwind trip, which included a full day at Disneyland Resort and accommodations at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa; a feast at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.; and culminated in a day-long Forrest Gump inspired celebration at Paramount Pictures Studios, which coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Academy Award-winning film.
On the Paramount lot, the heroes were surprised by Sinise and many fellow celebrity attendees including Ted Danson, Tim Allen, Greg Kinnear, Rob Lowe, Katharine McPhee, Dennis Haysbert, Joe Mantegna, Patricia Heaton, Tom Arnold, James Caan and Mykelti Williamson, plus more than 100 local veterans. They were treated to a private screening of Forrest Gump followed by a special concert performed by Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band on Paramount’s New York Street backlot.
Source: PR Newswire
