Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- Actor Gary Sinise, mingled, talked and shared laughter with San Diego-based troops during the inaugural barbeque for the Feed the Troops program held at the Airport United Services Organizations, Oct. 11.
This was the first Feed the Troops program inauguration the actor was able to attend due to his busy schedule, according to Katie F. Jones, spokesperson for the San Diego Airport Authority.
Approximately 200 servicemembers attended from local military installations. The catered barbeque included food such as beef, green beans, macaroni and cheese, along with sodas and water.
“(Gary Sinise) met all of us and we were able to talk to him,” said Sgt. Justin Mcleod, from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. “It was good food. It was a nice (event).”
For the troops, meeting him in person was the highlight of the event. While Sinise was at the USO, he made sure to thank each servicemember and take a photo with them.
“Watching him with each individual person that he was speaking with, he was completely focused on them the entire time,” said Jones, a native of San Diego. “He was patient, giving and polite. It was really remarkable to see how much he genuinely cares.”
The different servicemembers showed much appreciation for what Sinise has done and continues to do for them by shaking his hand and thanking him and posing for pictures with a sign saying “Thank You.”
“The Gary Sinise Foundation came here today to simply show their appreciation and to feed the troops,” said Bobby B. Woods, USO director. “He (Sinise) wanted to make sure that the youngest service member in attendance ate first.”
The Feed the Troops program is funded and run by the Gary Sinise Foundation in coordination with the USO to offer a barbeque to military personnel on the first Tuesday of each month.
“The USO decided on Tuesdays being the day for the Feed the Troop Program because it is when the new Marines are all coming back to go up to Camp Pendleton,” said Woods, referring to the Marines on their way to School of Infantry aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
The Gary Sinise Foundation is credited with starting numerous programs that support the men and women of the armed forces. From benefit concerts to providing meals to service members, the foundation was created in Sinise’s efforts to support the troops.
According to Jones, the Gary Sinise Foundation holds the Feed the Troop Program at four USOs around the country, San Diego being the largest. The program is expected to feed approximately 400 service members.