Actor Gary Sinise, known for his role alongside movie star Tom Hanks in the 1994 classic “Forrest Gump,” took more than 1,500 children of fallen soldiers on an all-expenses-paid trip to Disney World for Christmas.
The holiday trip to Orlando, Florida, was funded by the 64-year-old actor’s charity, the Gary Sinise Foundation, and a partnership with American Airlines, according to a report from WKMG-TV.
“I’ve gotten to know a lot of these families,” he told the outlet. “I love them and I want to just do something to help them through. … The important ingredient is that these kids meet each other and they know they’re not alone.”
Families who attended the four-day vacation came from 87 different cities around the United States. They all returned home on Dec. 11.
Sinise, who is Catholic, has been passionate about caring for veterans and. their families since he starred in “Forrest Gump.” He has dedicated much of his career to helping vets.
Through much of the 1990s, Sinise partnered with the Disabled American Veterans organizations and participated in a handful of USO tours in 2003.
In addition to the vacation to Disney World, Sinise also treated the Gold Star children to a performance by his Lt. Dan Band, which travels around the world entertaining U.S. troops stationed abroad.