It's a beautiful thing when actors are inspired by the roles they play.
It's been 19 years since "Forrest Gump" took home the Academy Award for best picture, but actor Gary Sinise remains influenced by his character, Lieutenant Dan Taylor, who loses both his legs in the Vietnam War during the film.
Sinise made an effort to get involved with the military community after his role in the 1994 film, according to U-T San Diego. He started the Gary Sinise Foundation to honor veterans, first responders and their families.
Earlier this month, Sinise teamed up with American Airlines and Disney in order to provide 50 wounded veterans with an all-expenses paid trip to Disneyland and the Paramount Pictures studio in California, according to ABC News. During the three-day trip, the vets saw a screening of "Forrest Gump," and had the chance to meet Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis.
"After the injuries and all that, it feels like you can't go out in the world anymore," Staff Sgt. Michael Irish, one of the servicemen on the trip, told ABC News. "All you want to do is be in a dark room and just sleep it off … and now with Gary and his organization helping us … to have fun and be yourself, that's very important to all of us."
Sinise became emotional during the one of the events, according to the Orange County Register.
"Getting out of the hospital is part of their recovery," he told the outlet. "Seeing them have a good time means a lot to me."
Related
Before You Go
