If there is anyone who Americans think of from Hollywood who has shown strong support for our service members and veterans over the years, the name that comes to mind is actor Gary Sinise. Many people cherish his role in "Forrest Gump," as the title character's commander in Vietnam, Lieutenant Dan.
He shared in a post on his X account that he's honored to be taking part in Saturday's America 250 salute to our veterans on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. - by acting as narrator - and was left awestruck by haviing a front-row seat for the U.S. military's practice flights for the flyovers scheduled for Independence Day. He said:
At the moment, I am sitting in my hotel room looking out the window watching our amazing fighter pilots rehearsing their flyover for tomorrow’s 4th of July celebration. I have been on military bases all over the world and seen these jets many times before but experiencing them practicing in the skies over our nation's capital in preparation for our 250th birthday is something quite unique, and special.
He continued:
We have so much to be thankful for, not the least of which are the men and women who defend our country and protect our cities. Those whose service and sacrifice must not be taken for granted. Where would we all be if no one wanted to serve?
Sinise also talked about what, to paraphrase then-General "Ike" Eisenhower from his D-Day address, the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines have sacrificed, that we should honor them and anyone currently serving on active duty with our thanks and support:
Each day at the Gary Sinise Foundation we work diligently to serve and honor these sacrifices by supporting those on active duty, those who have served, and the families that serve with them and have sacrificed alongside them.
Then he pivoted to the past, holding up a mirror to the long-term fight the country we love has stayed in to defeat "tyranny" wherever it festers around the globe, as our warriors hold fast to their "triumphant spirits." And Sinise pointed out that our American history is also full of triumphant moments:
I have met many over the years and they inspire me each day with their triumphant spirits. America is an evolving idea created by those who chose to fight for independence and freedom against a tyranny. We have inherited that idea, and while there certainly have been many extremely challenging moments in our history, there have been many triumphant ones to celebrate.
And to celebrate those moments, Sinese said, he had a birthday gift for Americans and America on her 250th anniversary, in the form of a new video. It's clearly got a personal connection to the actor, as well, since his late son, Mac Sinise, who recently died of cancer, co-wrote the song.
The "Triumphant" video is more than just a montage of scenes from America's past, the winning moments in war and peace, and in some pivotal sports moments, like the Miracle on Ice and the Cubs breaking the Curse and winning the World Series again in 2016. Yes, it does have that.
But it also gives us all a behind-the-scenes look at an orchestra in a Nashville recording studio fleshing out what was previously just a simple home demo by Mac Sinise. My guess (although I don't know Gary personally) is that handing this gift to us is possibly one way of healing for him as a parent.
We've shared on RedState for the big party for America's birthday some musical rewinds over the past few days. As Americans, we have found our patriotism intertwined with music, as my colleague Jennifer Oliver O'Connell wrote in her piece earlier on the movies (two of them musicals) that have moved her, swelling with pride.
And RedState's Bob Hoge wrote a marvelous piece looking back at the American standard, "God Bless America," In time, it could be that the son of Gary Sinise has helped to make another such piece of that storied cultural heritage.
A Musical Legacy: In Honor of America 250, the Films That Shaped My Patriotism—and Maybe Yours
One Song, Two Wars, and an Enduring American Anthem: The Story Behind 'God Bless America'
Before you take a listen, just want to mention that the song is an instrumental. But if you ask me, it's nothing short of majestic. Enjoy "Triumphant."
Watch:
Thanks, Gary, for sharing this beautiful song - and your son's enduring gift - with the rest of us. God bless you and your family, patriot!
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