VMSI’s Vice President, Ken Konkol and his wife, Connie, had the honor and privilege to represent VMSI at an incredibly moving event to watch a special screening of the award-winning short film The Next Part, a documentary about the physical and emotional struggles of Kat and Aaron Causey on their road to recovery after the amputation of both of Aaron’s legs.
Image: Aaron Causey, Wounded Veteran from The Next Part & Daughter
Capital One and New Day USA each donated funds to the Gary Sinise Foundation and Boulder Crest Retreat, a total of $50,000, to further their remarkable work with our nation’s wounded warriors and military veterans.
Since the early 1980s, Gary Sinise has been advocating for service men and women, beginning with Vets Night in Chicago, which offered free dinners and performances at the Steppenwolf Theatre. Among countless other initiatives, he is known for his portrayal of Lieutenant (Lt) Dan, a double amputee, in the 1994 film Forrest Gump. Lt Dan’s character rang true with injured veterans all over the country and Gary Sinise became even more of a spokesperson for our wounded for life military personnel.
Gary Sinise has worked with other foundations and spearheaded his own projects, including the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington D.C which is scheduled for completion in October 2014. The Lt Dan Band, formed in 2004, and performs for veterans and troops around the world to boost morale. In 2011, Sinise founded the Gary Sinise Foundation whose mission states “we serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. We do this by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities.”
VMSI strongly supports Gary Sinise Foundation, Boulder Crest Retreat, and other organizations who share the understanding of our duty to advocate for and support our military men and women. Gary Sinise says it best, “While we can never do enough to show our gratitude to our nation’s defenders, we can always do a little more.”