Acclaimed actor Gary Sinise to serve as national spokesman for The American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial... Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation will build National Memorial for America's disabled veterans

Actor Gary Sinise, currently starring in the hit CBS-TV show "CSI: New York", and whose performance as a disabled Vietnam veteran in the movie "Forrest Gump" earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, has agreed to serve as National Spokesman for The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial to be built in Washington, D.C.

"It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to recognize the sacrifices that our country's disabled veterans have made on behalf of us all," said Mr. Sinise. "I am deeply moved to have been asked to participate in this absolutely necessary memorial. I can only hope that my participation will help draw attention to the cause and ensure its successful fruition as the nation's first and only such tribute built specifically to these courageous men and women."

"We are highly privileged that Gary Sinise has agreed to serve as national spokesman for our critically important effort," said Lois Pope, Foundation Chair. "His portrayal in 'Forrest Gump' of a soldier who loses his legs in the Vietnam conflict brought home the terrible price that our young men and women pay in the fight for our country's freedom. Like his 'Lt. Dan Taylor' character, the three million living disabled veterans and all those throughout American history have given parts of their bodies and in some cases their minds to ensure the preservation and perpetuation of all our country stands for."

After the treaties are signed and the battles of nations end, the personal battles of those disabled in war only begin. These men and women must struggle to regain health, reshape lives shattered by disability, learn new trades or professions, and rejoin the civilian world," she said. We have a responsibility to ensure that they are remembered now and in perpetuity. That is the mission of our memorial."

Foundation president Arthur H. Wilson added, "It is because we need to recognize the spirit and courage of our disabled veterans, including the thousands from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, that our march toward the construction of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial is so crucial. We are confident that having Gary Sinise, as our National Spokesman, will not only heighten awareness and bring great honor to our effort, and the entire disabled veterans cause, but will ensure that the Memorial that we are building will be a lasting tribute to these unsung heroes."

About Gary Sinise:

Gary Sinise is an acclaimed actor, appearing in film, television and stage, as well as a director and producer. He stars currently as Det. Mac Taylor in CBS's "CSI: New York." His awards include an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in "Forrest Gump" in 1994, playing the character Lt. Dan Taylor. He was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Director for "Buried Child", and as Best Actor for "The Grapes of Wrath" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." He won Golden Globe and SAG awards for Best Actor in a TV movie for his performance as the title character in "Truman," and received the Emmy and SAG awards for "George Wallace" in 1998. Sinise starred in Ron Howard's "Apollo 13," "Ransom," with Mel Gibson, and "The Green Mile," opposite Tom Hanks.

About the Memorial and The Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation:

Transcending conflicts, service branches and generations, the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial will embody America's lasting gratitude for the men and women whose lives are forever changed in service to our country. Authorized by Congress, the Memorial will command an impressive two-acre site located adjacent to the National Mall, within full view of the Capitol Building. The mission of the Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation is to raise the funds necessary to design and construct the Memorial. It was co-founded by its Chairman, philanthropist Lois Pope, president Arthur H. Wilson, national adjutant of the Disabled American Veterans, and the late Jesse Brown, former Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. More information about the Memorial can be found at www.AVDLM.com.