Sold Out
February 28, 2019
Schedule
4:30 p.m. - Book Signing
6:00 p.m. - Program
7:00 p.m. - Buffet Dinner
SOLD OUT
Please join us for a discussion and book signing with award winning film, TV actor/humanitarian Gary Sinise on his latest book, Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service (Publish Date: February 12, 2019). Tickets for the event are $65 per person and include a buffet dinner in the Air Force One Pavilion following the program. Books must be purchased in the Reagan Library Museum Store to receive signature, and may be pre-purchased during the reservation process. For more information, please call 805-522-2977.
In Grateful American, Gary Sinise shares the never- before-told story of his journey from trouble-making Chicago kid to cofounder of the legendary Steppenwolf Theater Company, world-famous actor, and tireless advocate for America’s active duty defenders, veterans, and first responders.
As a kid in suburban Chicago, Gary Sinise was more interested in sports and rock-n-roll than reading or schoolwork. But when he impulsively auditioned for a school production of “West Side Story,” he found his purpose--or so it seemed. Within a few years, Gary and a handful of friends created what became one of the most exciting and important new theater companies in America. From its home in a church basement in Chicago, the Steppenwolf Theatre launched a series of ground breaking productions. Television and film came calling soon after, and Gary starred in Of Mice and Men and The Stand before taking the role that would change his life in unforeseeable ways: Lieutenant Dan in the Academy Award- winning Forrest Gump.
The military community’s embrace of the character of the disabled veteran was matched only by the depth of Gary’s realization that America’s defenders had not received all the honor, respect, and gratitude their sacrifices deserve. In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, this became Gary’s mission. Gary has worked tirelessly on behalf of those who serve this country, entertaining more than a half million troops around the world playing bass guitar with his Lieutenant Dan Band, raising funds on behalf of veterans, and eventually founding the Gary Sinise Foundation with a mission to serve and honor America’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need.
Grateful American is the moving, entertaining, profoundly gripping story of how one man found his calling: to see that those who defend this country and its freedoms are never forgotten.
Please note: Only guests that have purchased a ticket for the program and dinner may attend the program.