Transcript

Gary Sinise | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #623

From Theo Von · Episode page · Watch on YouTube

· 1 h 39 min · 17,640 words · 289 timestamped sections

This is the full, timestamped transcript of "Gary Sinise | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #623", an episode of Theo Von published November 11, 2025 (1 h 39 min, about 17,640 words). It mentions 8 people, works and ideas, including Gary Sinise Foundation, Lieutenant Dan Band, Forest Gump, Resurrection and Revival, Veterans Day.

What this episode is about

The main topic centers on Gary Sinise, an accomplished actor known for his roles in "Forest Gump" and "CSI: New York," as well as his dedication to supporting veterans and first responders through his foundation. In the conversation, Sinise shares insights on his personal journey, his recent move to Nashville, and upcoming performances with the Lieutenant Dan Band, including a special event at the Grand Ole Opry on Veterans Day.

Key takeaways

  • Gary Sinise: where Hollywood glitz meets a heartfelt mission for veterans—service goes beyond the screen.
  • From Lieutenant Dan to melody man: Sinise shows true versatility in talent and purpose.
  • With 800 US military bases worldwide, entertainers like Sinise ensure no soldier feels forgotten.
  • A band for a cause: Sinise's Lieutenant Dan Band thrives on service, not a paycheck—talk about dedication!
  • Renovating a home is like acting—both require adapting to new roles, whether it's a script or family need.

Who speaks in this episode?

What is discussed, and when

  1. – 10:00: Forest Gump, Lieutenant Dan Band, Veterans Day
  2. – 30:00: Forest Gump
  3. – 40:00: Brothers at War
  4. – 1:00:00: American Airlines
  5. – 1:10:00: Veterans Day
  6. – 1:20:00: Resurrection and Revival, Resurrection and Revival Part Two
  7. – 1:38:57: Resurrection and Revival Part Two, Veterans Day, Resurrection and Revival

Notable quotes from "Gary Sinise | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #623"

  • I, appreciate, it., And, the, Lieutenant, Dan Band, you guys are performing at the Ryman auditorium on Veterans Day.
    about Lieutenant Dan Band · at
  • Yeah., Very, very, positive, movies., Brothers After War was totally funded by the Gary Senise Foundation and thankfully our donors, allow me to do a lot of great things and for our donors, they should know that.
    about Brothers at War · at
  • And it was not good and we don't want that to happen to anybody serving our country. So we provide a lot of programs, and, initiatives, with, Gary Senise Foundation to help them through that.
    about Gary Sinise Foundation · at
  • Event, started donating my band. American Airlines is a big supporter of that. They provide all the airfare, all the charter airplanes. They will they'll provide 12 charters from all over the country to fly the kids.
    about American Airlines · at
  • USC, USC,, they, went, to, work, and, M, did, an album called Resurrection and Revival.
    about Resurrection and Revival · at
  • A, lot, of, them, played, on, the, first record, and so we made a second record, Resurrection and Revival Part Two, which is a double vinyl album.
    about Resurrection and Revival Part Two · at

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

Books & papers

  • Brothers at War — Book · Referenced work · 4 mentions · first at
    Sequel to Brothers at War, focusing on the transition of veterans back to civilian life.

Companies & orgs

  • Gary Sinise Foundation — Company · Business focus · 4 mentions
    Primary organization discussed, focused on supporting veterans and first responders through various programs and initiatives.

Products & tech

  • Lieutenant Dan Band — Product · Secondary owned · 1 mention · first at
    Gary Sinise's band that performs for military bases and veterans, part of his mission to support service members.
  • Resurrection and Revival — Product · Secondary owned · 5 mentions · first at
    Album created by Gary Sinise's son, Mac, with proceeds supporting the Gary Sinise Foundation.
  • Resurrection and Revival Part Two — Product · Secondary owned · 4 mentions · first at
    Follow-up album to Mac Sinise's first, with proceeds supporting the Gary Sinise Foundation.

Places & events

  • Veterans Day — Event · Setting · 4 mentions · first at
    Significant date mentioned in the context of the Lieutenant Dan Band's performance.
    Yep., Yeah., Yeah., At, the, Opry., Yeah., It's Sorry., You, guys, are, performing, at, the Grand Old Opry. Yeah. On Veterans Day.

Media & podcasts

  • Forest Gump — Media · Referenced work · 5 mentions · first at
    Film where Gary Sinise played Lieutenant Dan, a role that significantly influenced his work with veterans.
    We were talking about having my band come there at some point to the oprey and it was the 30th anniversary of Forest Gump coming out that, summer., So, they, did, a, Opri…

Sponsors

  • American Airlines — Company · Sponsor · 2 mentions · first at
    Corporate supporter of the Snowball Express program for children of fallen heroes.

Full transcript with timestamps

Today's guest is an actor. Uh he's a musician and he's an activist. You know him for some of his famous roles like Lieutenant Dan in Forest Gump and M. Taylor in CSI New York. But he's also known for his work helping veterans and first responders. I had a great chat today with the one and only Mr. Gary Senise. Shine on me and I will find a song. I've been singing.

Thanks, for, having, me. Yeah,, thanks, so, much, for, coming, in. Yeah, I So, you bought You bought in Nashville in

Well,, we, bought, in, 21, and, then, we, moved in 23. Okay., Uh,, so, we, we, had, to, do, some renovating for our son and his what was going on with him and everything like that. But then we finally I moved my foundation in 22 and then we moved out in 23.

And, overall, has, it, been, a, Has, it, been, a good experience? Fantastic. Yeah.

I, got, no, I, was, in, Hollywood, for, 35 years. So that's enough. Yeah., That's, a, lot, of, service,, man., You did Yeah. You kind of like you did you did your service.

Yeah,, it, was, good., You, know,, we, raised our kids there and everything. Oh,, yeah., Um,, Gary, Senise,, thanks, for joining me, man.

Oh,, it's, great, to, be, with, you,, bud. I, appreciate, it., And, the, Lieutenant, Dan Band, you guys are performing at the Ryman uh auditorium on Veterans Day.

Yep., Yeah., Yeah., At, the, Opry., Yeah., It's Sorry., You, guys, are, performing, at, the Grand Old Opry. Yeah. On Veterans Day. Oh, that's going to be sick. There's more seats there, too, which is even better.

It's, I, think, it's, 4,000, something, seats in there. you know, we played there um summer of 24. They did a really fun thing. They wanted uh we were talking about having my band come there at some point to the oprey and it was the 30th anniversary of Forest Gump coming out

that, summer., So, they, did, a, Opri celebrates 30 years of Forest Gump and and we went and we played and and we had a bunch of people on the bill and Yeah there we are.

Did, you, guys, play, any, songs, from, the movie? It, Well,, everybody, did., That's, that's what was cool about the night is we had Gary Lavox from Rascal Flats. He was on the Bill, Jamie Johnson.

Jamie, Johnson's, the, best. Yeah,, Jamie., And, he, he'll, be, there, on, uh Tuesday when we play the Bill. This the Tuesday is great. And uh then when we did the 30th anniversary, it was great. And they had the idea that everybody on the bill would do songs from the soundtrack of Forest Gump.

That's, so, cool. So, we, all, did. What, a, fun, night. It, was, really, fun. Does, the, band, rehearse, a, lot?

You, know,, we, I, mean, this, I've, been, doing it with this band for over 20 years. So we you know, we will rehearse once or twice a year.

Yeah., Um,, and, it's, all, about, learning some new songs. Got it. You, know,, sometimes, we, can, plug, those, in in our sound check. We just give a little extra time for soundcheck and we wind up a song, a new sound song. But uh, we've played, you know, we play a lot of the same songs uh, for because my band is the whole purpose of my band is the military veterans first responders mission. So I take the band on military bases and

military, hospitals, and, do, all, that, kind of stuff. That's I don't play for money. This is what I do for a for a mission. It's a service mission. I have to

I, have, to, pay, the, band., I, have, to, pay the production cost of the staging and

that, stuff's, pricey., People, don't realize it. There's you know there's cost with a fix with that. Yeah.

And, we, have, a, big, band., I, mean, if, you look at my band there's you know there's me plus 12. So there's 13 of us in the band. It's not cheap. Yeah, it's a it's an expensive show, but it's a good show. We play a lot of lot of good songs.

Were, you, always, a, musician? Well,, um, back in fourth grade, I got my first guitar and that this is this goes back to the 60s. So, uh, Beach Boys were my band

and, I, started, listening, to, them, a, lot and trying to play their songs and then and then I got my guitar and then, uh in seventh grade I got a bass and I started playing bass and then played all the way through high school into my early 20s and then I got very busy with acting and started a theater company and got very busy with that. So, I didn't play for a long time until like the late 90s I started picking it up again. And now we've, you know, formed a band and started going on military bases and overseas we've done over 600 something shows for the military.

Wow,, that's, incredible,, man., Thank, you so much for uh for your service uh for supporting the people who serve.

Um,, you, bet., I, uh, yeah,, whenever, I, was first starting out in comedy, we would do a bunch of like um kind of USO affiliated kind of tours where you would go and uh we went to so many unique places that you don't even think that there's bases that you don't even think that there's people like like little like Ford operated like John we went to one time.

I've, been, there. We, went, to, the, Azors., Um oh, my, gosh, we, went, to, like, places, in, Spain., just places you don't even think that there's bases and there's there's people there.

You, know, what?, There, we, have, How, many bases do you think there are that the US has in the world? [sighs]

I, mean,, I, couldn't, even, guess., I, don't think it's, about, 800, bases., And, the, the, the big giant ones, you know, like Fort Bragg or something like that, uh two very very tiny ones in little remote areas like you like you said. And a lot of them don't get a lot of support or entertainment and that kind of thing. It's it's I think it's 750 800 bases something like that. What's that say?

Yeah,, it, says Oh,, yeah., 750., Yeah., To, 877, US, military base. Yeah., That's, a, lot, of, bases., My, When, I started out with this, my goal was to hit every single one of them. And then I realized, well, I I think I'm about 25% the way there. I think I've played about 200 bases.

Wow., That's, cool., Oh,, there's, something about like like I went to Qatar a couple of months ago.

Sure., Yeah. The, president, was, doing, something, there and uh they invited me to come and and so it was just like But you get there and the

Were, you, on, that, big, Middle, East, tour that I, wasn't, on, the, whole, thing?, I, was, just on Qar and it was like a last minute thing. I was literally

central, command., Yeah. Yeah., And, they're, like,, "Do, you, want, to come? You have to get on a plane in like 5 hours." And I was like,

um,, yeah. And, dude,, but, even, the, best, part, of, it was when you walk up, there's all these soldiers like in line cuz they're like um, I don't think it was mandatory that they go to this event, but I think a lot of them wanted to, too. It was probably like a fun thing to do on the base that day.

Oh,, sure., Yeah., Anything, to, break, up, the day. That's for sure. And, and, just, to, walk, up, and, a, lot, of them were like, "Hey, what's up?" And just like that moment alone, like not for me, but for both of us kind of was just like that I got to be It was just awesome, man. That's what it's like. Yeah, it was just awesome. And then um yeah, you see guys like who are away from their families. Um and then you have friends who uh their families are away. Just all of it, you know. I don't know being close to it, you get to kind of see so much of what it's about. Um did you cuz there's kind of this theory I feel like with you for some people that don't know that you got into like the Lieutenant Dan character, right? and you got into it so much that you were just like I am now this is like my life calling. Uh

but, it's, kind, of, it's, kind, of, what happened or is that but that No, I mean I have Vietnam veterans in my family. I was playing a Vietnam veteran Lieutenant Dan. And so prior to playing him, I was like keyed up and tuned up to that because with Vietnam veterans with my family, I I I you know, I was I was in high school. I was a senior in high school when combat operations ended in Vietnam.

Wow. In, 1973., So, I, remember, people, coming home. And then I met my wife and she introduced me to her two brothers who served. her sister's husband served in Vietnam. So, I was kind of tuned up to what was going on with our Vietnam veterans. Had a lot of compassion for them and what happened when they came home. You know, they were not treated well at all. It was a difficult time for our country. Difficult time to be a soldier. And then when Lieutenant Dan came around, I had the opportunity to audition for it. I very much wanted to get that part. I was lucky to get it.

And then I just started I mean it I remember getting invited to the disabled American Veterans Organization convention uh about five or six weeks after Forest Gump came out and they wanted to give me an award for playing a wounded veteran. And this was an organization that at that time represented 1.5 million wounded veterans going back to World War II all the way up to the Gulf War. This cuz this is 94. And I walk out on the stage, get introduced, and I walk out on the sta there. Yeah, that's a picture of it. Um, and they gave me their national commanders award. And the guy there Richard Marbs, he's he's got one leg.

He's missing one leg up to his hip and he's standing on crutches there. And, I, looked, out, into, the, audience, and, I saw 2,000 wounded veterans out there in the in the crowd.

Wow. And, it, was, very, very, moving., I, mean, I, feel, it, right, now., It's, moving, to, me to even imagine that somebody saw that.

And, it, was, very, impactful., And, that started me supporting our wounded um going back to that time. And then September 11th happened and I just turned it into a full-time mission.

Wow. Yeah,, it, was, it, was, there., I've, met, a lot of interesting people o over the years. I started going on USO tours in 2003. I started going to the bases. Uh Qar was one one of the first bases I went to on my first overseas US tour.

Really? Yeah. It's, a, beautiful, base. Yeah., We, were, we, were, there., We, were, in um, u, Iraq., [clears throat] We were in Kuwait. Um, that was a that was a big tour that Kid Rock was on and Leanne Wac was on that tour. Robert Dairo was on the tour. I mean, Paul Rodriguez, comedians were on the on the tour. It was

uh, there, there, were, a, lot, of entertainers. It was called Project Salute. And that's uh that's some footage there from that very first first trip.

That's, amazing., uh, overseas, to, to, Iraq and Kuwait. Uh this is me going out to a place called Camp Udari, which was right on the Iraq Kuwait border. And I saw thousands of troops that day and it was it was very impactful to go out there see these people in the war zones, see what they were doing, shake hands with them. I wanted to talk to everybody and I didn't have time because, you know there were so many people lined up to to see us, but we entertained you know, we um I I didn't do anything except I'm Lieutenant Dan and I'm waving to everybody and shaking hands and taking pictures, but Kid Kid Rock put on a show

for, sure., Yeah., Bob's, been, in, here. Bob's ridiculous. He lives across town. He's one of he's one of a kind.

Good, good, good, guy. We've known each other since that Oh, you have that, trip?, Yeah.

He's, got, a, big, heart,, dude., He's, a, uh Yeah, he's a he's loves, our, military., Really?, Really? Yeah.

We, spent, a, good, bit, of, time, together. He's a special guy. What's something um Yeah, cuz you just had like you you had so many like kind of iconic roles like um you know and were in so many like just you know films that really touched people. Um you know the Green Mile I remember of mice and men.

That's, crazy, dude. Did, you, see, that, in, high, school? Yeah., I, remember, dude, I, you, know, do, you know how many you know how many people even on the spectrum were not allowed to have a pet after that movie?

Do, you, know, how, many you, can't, have, a, dog? Oh, dude, you, know how, many, of, my neighbors got their got their pets taken away after that

I, never, thought, of, that. Oh, dude, it, was, Yeah., It, took, like, a month to get them back for some of us.

That's, hilarious. Uh, but, that, just, so, many, special, roles. Um but then it feels like you really kind of found this uh like a a role that really like like almost a bigger role um in this space of service, you know, and of feeling like even just showing up somewhere and giving of yourself, you know, um with the veterans in my family and especially the Vietnam veterans. I have I have World War II and World War I on my side of the family, Korea era. My dad was in the Navy during Korea, my grandfather in World War I, my two uncles in World War II. So, but it was when I met the Vietnam veterans on my wife's side of the family and that was very impactful because they had not been treated well and I started to have a lot of compassion for them and feel very very badly. So when we uh were attacked on September 11th and our you know young men and women started raising their hand and joining

the military and going off to Afghanistan, Iraq and uh I wanted to do something to support them. I just felt a lot of compassion for for them having veterans in my own family and having seen what happened to our Vietnam veterans when they went off to war. And it was starting to, if you recall, uh, the Iraq war was starting to be, you know, the country was starting to divide itself over whether we should be there or not and and all of that. And I didn't want our service members to get caught in the middle of all that. So, I just started raising my hand and going out and supporting them where I could. And that led to all these nonprofits that I supported and then I just started my own.

Um,, and, that's, the, Gary, Senise Foundation. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah., How, do, you, stay, out, of, the, minute like how do you stay out of the political side of things, right? Like because I'm sure sometimes that like you were saying with Vietnam, it was probably one of the first times that soldiers came back and a lot of people didn't agree with them being there and it's like it's not really their fault right? They're just signing up to protect like the freedoms that we have right? Like like my job is freedom of speech. My job doesn't even exist if it's not for somebody out there protecting it, right?

You're, you're, you're, absolutely, right. But, so, how, do, you, stay, out, of, that?, Like is that tough sometimes to stay out of like the political side of it and just focus on the like boots on the ground or or do you like is that does that make any sense that question?

I, didn't, care, about, that, stuff., All, what I did care about was them feeling uh kind of a a negative thing coming at them from the country and we were starting to divide at that point. you know, after September 11th, everyone was sort of united, you know, in, you know I mean, we got smacked on September 11th. That was a real turning point for me toward service uh in a in a greater way. But our country was sort of, you know, reeling from that. Remember, we were all in pain. We were all scared. Nobody knew what was going on. uh we wanted, you know, our troops to go over there and do something, find this bad guy that did that to us. And, you know everybody was sort of united behind that. But as time went on, though [clears throat] you started to feel like, okay, we're you know, we don't support George Bush going into Iraq and and I didn't want our troops to get caught in the middle of that. So, I just said

you, know,, what, what, can, I, do, as, an entertainer, you know, as somebody that they recognize from the movies? I can go over there and shake hands with them and tell them, "Hey, you know, we appreciate you. We don't uh you know, we don't take what you're doing for for granted."

Uh, and, I, started, doing, that., And, then, I did it some more and more and more and more. And the more I did it, the more I felt like I was having a a positive effect on people that were away from their families, losing friends, you know, getting blown up, ending up in the hospital, multiple limbs amputated, all these terrible things that were happening. And I felt like I was bringing some positive light into their world, which was, you know, pretty difficult time. I mean, if you're over there and you lose 10 buddies and then you lose your legs, [snorts] you've got you've got a a long way uh a long road ahead. And I wanted to help them. I want, you know, the real life Lieutenant Dans, I wanted to help them out. And I wanted to help the families out who were losing loved ones. And I just felt that was a role that I could play and now it's just a big big part of life.

Yeah,, you, were, right., You, know,, um I, I, think, so., We, we, can't, let, our service members get caught in the middle of stuff. If you volunteer to serve your country, what what do you volunteer for? To do what they want you to do. You don't have a qu, you know, and if they send you into a war zone, you got to go

right? So,, they're, just, doing, their, duty., And, I want to I want to support them and help them through the difficulties of going to war and and the things that they see and the things that happen to them. I remember one time on a base we were there and something I think it was in Araf John one of those bases near there like uh and there was everybody was in the hospital someone something had happened something had come into the base and somebody gotten uh taken shrapnel or something and they were losing a lot of blood and they basically had this hallway lined up in this hospital of like people literally going through and donating blood. It was like I mean there may have been 100 people in the hallway and they're like hey can you just kind of go through and just try to boost people's spirits and it was like man it was, just, a, kind, of a, harrowing, moment cuz you're like I don't know these

people right like I'm not one of them you know I'm I'm one of them in the sense that I'm an American and I have like I have like empathy maybe something there's something there like a human connection. Uh but man that was like heartbreaking. Uh, and so you were just kind of passing out waters and shaking hands and just like, you know, patting people on the chest or trying to do anything that you felt like maybe God was pushing you to do without being egotistical to try and just be there and support sometimes.

But, you, were, there, right?, They, had, they, had, to, be, there. You did not

right? And, so, that, was, that, was, a, special thing. the fact that you took the time to go over there to do that, to pat them on the back, to shake their hand, to hand them a a water bottle, to tell some jokes, uh to break up their day a little bit, help them through that experience. That was I'm sure that was profoundly impactful for you, but it was also very meaningful for for them. I've seen it you know, hundreds of times. Yeah.

And, it's, it's, helpful,, you, know,, to, have somebody from home show up and say "Hey, thanks for what you're doing." Um, and it was and the next day they found out that the guy didn't make it you know, and it was just like uh it was it was uh have you had moments like that on these bases? Like what kind of moments do you kind of experience on some, of these, bases?, Have, you, been, in some moments where it's are there have you been on bases where it's a night where, it's, like, man, this, is a, a, lot's happened today and it might be a tough night for these guys to come and enjoy some music like or or what are some of the like what are some of the things we don't see that reg of as regular civilians of what base life is like? you know, when when you go to when you go to a war zone um you're you you you're keen keenly aware that at any moment for any one of these folks that you're meeting, any of these

soldiers who are infantry especially or something like that that at any point they could get called out to a mission get in the get in the Humvey or get in the tank or whatever, go out on a mission and something bad could happen to them and you're keenly aware of that. And that that's happened to me multiple times where I'll be taking pictures with a thousand people or something like that and I know that, you know, I mean, at any minute they could get called on a mission and that could be their last mission. Anything could happen. So the 20 seconds that I spend with them or something like that can be very meaningful. I've had mothers come up to me with photographs of me and their son who was he was killed the next day, you know, after not like this is the last picture that was taken. Uh and you know, as soon as he got that picture, he sent it home to the family and it lit him up and then the

next day he's shot by a sniper or something like that. and and those types of things can uh impact you in a very profound uh way and you don't you don't forget about that.

Yeah. You, know,, and, it, makes, you, come, back, and do it again, you know. Uh I I thought the first time I went to a hospital

um, I, would, I, remember, it's, well, over, 20 years ago and I went to Lanchtool Medical Center in in uh Germany and

Ltool. It's, called, Lanchtool., Yeah. And it's where you know, our service members if they get hurt

it's, the, first, place, they, go,, right? They, will, go, to, Germany., They, get stabilized and then they come home when when they're okay to be transferred. Um and that was the first military hospital I went to. So, you've got people that were in Iraq yesterday who got blown up yesterday and flown to the hospital and here they are within 24 hours of being on the battlefield and I'm seeing them.

Wow. And, that, that, was, very, I, was, very nervous about it. Uh, I mean, I remember the first time it was kind of I tell this story about, you know, when I was a kid, my grandmother dying in the hospital and it was and she was very sick and it was just very hard to be in the hospital and see her like that. And th those were my hospital memories. And so now I'm on a bus with the USO and I'm driving to the military hospital where our troops are first taken when they get blown up or something bad happens to them. And I'm going to see a bunch of these people and I'm thinking this I don't know how I'm going to I don't know how I'm going to get through it. You know, I I'm ner I'm nervous. I'm feeling kind of nervous in my stomach.

And, if, one, of, them, opens, their, eyes, and like holy Lieutenant Dan, like I'm in heaven. Like where am I? or they're hallucinating, you know, they're on so much medication they think think they're nuts. And I walked in and I I I tell this story about walking into the first room and there were like 30 people in there and they were all banged up, but they were going to get patched up and sent back to the war zone. They weren't injuries that would send them home and everything was quiet. And I'm, you know, I I wore glasses at the time. I had these funny little glasses on, little USO hat, and I walk in and I'm not sure what to do or what to say. Everybody's really quiet. And somebody saw me and screamed Lieutenant Dan at me. And then everybody jumped up and wanted a picture and the whole mood changed into something positive. And so that was and then I went to the hospital rooms and I saw people that were missing

limbs and people that were in traumatic brain injuries and just really awful stuff. But when I left there I felt I felt like really good that I had done something positive

like, purposeful. Yeah., that, you, know, when, I, went, there, it was I was it was all all about me and what I was thinking about how I'm going to react to it and and when I left it was I realized no it's it's not about me and my reaction to it it's about just bringing some joy bringing some light into a dark situation and trying to lift somebody up and that's the energy you get so that made me want to go back two weeks later I was at Walter Reed and then I was at another hospital Naval Medical Center at uh at Bethesda and then it's just now it's hundreds of trips and you know multiple thousands and thousands of wounded service members and family members. We take care of, you know, families of our fallen heroes.

And, you know, you wrap your arms around these kids that have, lost, a, mom, or, a, dad, in, in, the, in the military or even our first responders firefighters police officers. We take care of all of them. And you know, you just, you know, you're doing something positive and and it helps you get through the the difficult moments where uh some you you meet somebody that's really been through some really bad stuff, but I'm just there to help them through. So, you learn you kind of learn, you know, how it's it's not about you at all. It's about them and what you want them to to get out of you giving them a hug or patting them on the back or telling them you you appreciate them.

And that's that's rewarding. That's that gives life great purpose to be able to take something, you know, I'm in the movie business. I walk into a room and they see Lieutenant Dan or something. But it makes Lieutenant Dan so much more meaningful when he can actually do something positive for somebody else you know?

Yeah., He, wasn't, a, character, that, just kind of ended right there. like it wasn't a character who just had this, you know what I'm saying? Like it was

Yeah. No,, it, wasn't., I, I, realized, at, a, certain point, uh,, Lieutenant, Dan's, just, going, to that's he's just part of part of my life now because so many soldiers relate to him. And you know, I'd go into the hospitals and I see somebody missing both legs like Lieutenant Dan and they just they want me to talk about the story of Lieutenant Dan. And you know the story of Lieutenant Dan is very positive, actually. He goes through dark stuff,

but, it's, a, happy, ending, at, the, end., And so, yeah., What, did, he, at, the, end?, Did, he, own a car wash or something? What did he do for a living at the end?

No,, he's, a, shrimp, guy. Oh,, yeah., Sorry.,, He, bought the boat. He's, a, shrimp, guy., He, makes, a, bunch, of boat. Yeah. They make a bunch of money on on shrimp and then he invests in Apple. He's like an early investor in Apple and they both make a gazillion dollars in Apple. And uh you know, he's doing well. you look at him. He's he's married at the end. He's standing up on prosthetic legs and it's a it's a happy ending. And you you pull for a guy like that in a movie and you you want him to be okay. And so many of the other movies that came out, you know, in the late 70s, early 80s, um about Vietnam you know, you just you always had this feeling that the Vietnam veteran wasn't going to make it

right? He, wasn't, going, to, be, okay., something bad was going to happen to him. And with Forest Gump, it was different. It was a a new look at a Vietnam veteran who came home from war, processed everything, and then moved on.

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We just had uh Miles Teller was just on the other day and he and I actually ended up talking about you, which is crazy because I had no idea that you were going to come on. When I first started this, my mom um she's had two husbands that served and uh that passed away, but um she was like, "I hope you could get Gary Sice one day on your podcast." She was you've been her favorite guest, so this is and she watches every episode, so she'll be excited. But um

please, give, your, mom, a, hug, for, me. Oh,, you, bet., Please, do. I, will, give, her, one.

Um,, we, started, hugging, finally, about, a year ago. So okay,, good., Well,, give, her, two, mood,, but I'll give I'll make sure to I'll make sure.

That's, another, podcast., You, can, tell, me that. Uh,, Miles, T, was, on, and, he, was, talking about just working with servicemen and and um and he was talking about uh just his experience. He had a film called um Thank You for Your Service, I think it was. Mhm.

And, he, said, that, a, lot, of, times, it's like we know how to package these people and get them ready to go off to war to serve to uh be on the front lines to protect our freedoms, but we don't bring them home very well. What do you notice in your experience with a lot of this with, spending, time, with, a, lot, of these people? like uh what do you think that uh uh we can do better as a country and and then just as everyday people if there's any and I know this isn't judgment but what do you kind of survey haven't had a lot of experience

well, Miles, Miles, has, a, point, about, that be uh and we learned a lot during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts I mean the the military the various branches of the military did start to address that we need to We need to fight the war on the battlefield, but we have to make sure that we don't leave the war on the battlefield and for and neglect the war that's coming on that's going on at home, you know, when our service members return. So, we've been involved at the Gary Senise Foundation in a number of initiatives and a number of programs to address that coming home, transitioning uh from the battlefield to to home coming back to your family. There was a movie that uh I was involved in that I I was executive producer on um back during the Iraq war called Brothers at War. And it was all about that experience of going off to war and then coming back and kind of reintegrating with a family

and how difficult that can be when you've seen people blown up and seen people uh go through difficult things. Um, this was a buddy of mine who had two brothers that were serving in Iraq and he he wasn't serving but he embedded with units over in Iraq and he made a documentary. His name's Jake Rodmacher and Jake's a buddy of mine. uh I ended up being an executive producer on this film and then recently we decided because there's so many people in the movie uh that we meet not just the two brothers but we meet the people that they're serving with and we get to know them in that particular film.

We, started, talking, uh, you, know, 10, years later after the movie about like where are those guys? What happened to everybody that was in that first film? Are they out of the service now? What's their transition out of the service been like? So, we've just done we we've got a new movie out now called Brothers After War.

And, Brothers, After, War,, Brothers, at, War deals with military life, what it's like to go off and serve, come home, then get deployed again because many of our service members would redeploy multiple times. That could be very tough on the family. Just imagine a child, you know growing up with mom or dad deploying 10 times over over a 12-year period and they're never home and the child is growing up. It's very very difficult. So, Brothers After War deals with the transitioning veteran, the person who's come home and now they're out of the service. Most of the people that we meet

in, Brothers, After, War, uh, that, we, met, in, the, first, movie, Brothers at War, are out of the service. A few of them, Jake's brothers, were just finishing up their service. The mockers.

The, Rodamachers., Yeah., Two, brothers. Thank, you, for, your, service. So,, you, meet, them, and, it's, a, beautiful documentary. I mean, both both of them are very beautiful and we use these movies

to, help, our, veterans., We, use, the, first movie. Jake has done hundreds of workshops on military bases showing the movie and they hands out workbooks to everybody and says, "What did what did you feel about this when you saw this?" the soldier coming home dealing with his children who haven't seen him for a long time. All these and all these people kind of start expressing themselves start talking about it. And we have so many service members that come home and they don't talk about it. Yeah. Right. They they compartmentalize. They keep it in and sometimes it explodes in a very bad and damaging way. And we don't want that that to happen. And we don't want we want to combat the suicide problem that we have within the services and do everything we can to be proactive to go after it and provide mental wellness initiatives so that we can help these people transition. That's what both these movies are about

and, and, [clears throat], they, really, are helpful. Jake is now doing workshops with Brother After War for veterans.

So, Brothers, at, War, and, Brothers, After War. Yeah., Very, very, positive, movies., Uh, Brothers After War was totally funded by the Gary Senise Foundation and thankfully our donors, you know, allow me to do a lot of great things and for our donors, they should know that that this movie is making a difference in people's lives. We are helping veterans. That's Jake doing a workshop there uh for Brothers After War. Uh, we're, you know, we're making a positive impact but there's so much more that we can do. Thankfully, there are a lot of nonprofits out there that are focused on this. We have other mental wellness initiatives. We work with an organization called Boulder Crest Foundation. Boulder Crest. They provide retreats all around the country for veterans to go to. We we've sent hundreds of veterans to these retreats.

It can be very, very positive because, so, many, of, these, people, come home and then they isolate and we don't want them to do that. We want them to tell their stories. We want to teach them how to share their stories and that it's okay to share their stories. We saw Vietnam veterans come home from war and they had to keep everything inside them and it was it was not good and we don't want that to happen to anybody serving our country. So we provide a lot of

programs, and, initiatives, with, Gary Senise Foundation to help them through that.

Well,, we're, going, to, make, a, donation today, Gary. So, thank you. Uh oh,, thanks, so, much., We'll, donate, $10,000 today just to support the foundation.

Holy, cow., So,, um, I, know, it's, not, the largest donation you've gotten, but uh we're we're happy to do that on behalf of our podcast today. Um it feels like it's falling upon the private sector to take care of of a lot of our servicemen and women. Is that a true feeling, do you think? Or do you think that the government is still doing a good job? Like um and then do you think one part one political party really does it better than the other? Like have you noticed any of that? And and if you feel uncomfortable talking about that, that's okay. Yeah, I I don't want to put you in any weird spot.

The, there's, there's, two, things., Just, a imagine uh Okay, if there were no nonprofits in the military and first responder community

right,, that, are, trying, to, fill, the, gaps and help we'd, have, a, catastrophe.

Wow. And, if, there, was, no, VA, system, we'd have a catastrophe. So both of them are necessary, you know, but I don't think the government can provide all the help that is needed for our veteran community. It's just it's a large community. You know, we have veterans going back, you know, pretty far. And some of you know like look at our Vietnam veterans for for example they're aging into their 70s and 80s and you know things are things are a little tougher for them because they're aging and you know they might have they might have needs that they didn't have 20 or 30 years ago. Um is it will the government provide everything that's necessary for all the people that have served our country over the years? While they may try, I don't I don't think it's possible. Uh I think the nonprofits play a pretty significant role in this. And so, uh take the nonprofits away and we'd have we'd have a real serious problem.

Got it. But, we, have, to, work, to, we, have, to, work together. And so, um you know, the the VA is just one of those large bureaucracies that we have. Um you know it's I mean, there's many many VA hospitals around the country. there are a lot of hospitals that need upgrades uh you know because they've been around a long time and so we're we're we constantly have to reinvest in that within the government. My dad got help from the VA you know so that

that, was, good. Oh, yeah, [clears throat], my, stepdad, did for sure. I think he was in Korea and he got help from the VA. But now the nonprofits play a very very significant role. And there are certain things that the VA does well and there's certain things that they don't do well. There's certain things that nonprofits could do better at, but there's a lot of things that nonprofits do that uh that are really making a a difference. And I think we have to all work together constantly to do everything we possibly can to serve the men and women who who have served our country and protect our freedoms and keep us safe, our first responders as well. We have many programs at the Gary Senise Foundation that are serving all these communities.

What, would, you, say, then, just, to, any lawmakers who are listening, right? Because um we've talked a we've had a lot of politicians on this show like we've had a lot of people come through and we've gotten to express things to them about different like laws and things that we would like to see changed. I Is there anything to lawmakers that you would say if there were any lawmakers listening? Like is there anything that you would say to them based on like your experiences that that could be done or that could be different or is that too broad of a thing to even ask?

Democrats, and, Republicans, serve, our country right in military uniform. [clears throat]

So, do, we, owe, them,, you, know,, or, do, we not? And if you're in government, uh I I always believe we can never do enough for the men and women who serve our country. So you know, let's make sure that they don't get caught in in, you know, in some political game that's going on.

Yeah. You, know,, right, now, we, have, a, government shutdown going on right now. And so certain people are are struggling. We don't want that to happen to our military service member. They they're going to serve no matter what, right? They're

the, stress, of, that, knowing, the government's shut down. That has to feel weird for some of them, especially some of the older ones who are going to VA like wondering if in a month they're still going to be able to get if the place they're going to or that they're getting, housing, from, is, still, going to be avail. It could just be a fear. You know, the stress of so much of that is crazy.

That's, exactly, right., When, we, don't, want them to fall through the cracks because of some political thing that's happening,

and, it's, a, political, kickball, that, they use, and it has real life uh it has real life. What word am I looking for?

Consequence. Consequence., Thank, you,, sir. You're, you're, absolutely, right.

Um, here, it, says, on, Perplexity, says, the government shutdown in 2025 has had a significant impact on veteran affairs although most vets, benefits, and core services continue. Um about 37,000 Department of VA employees are furoughed or working without pay affecting certain services and programs. Um critical services that have been suspended or halted include the GI Bill hotline which assists over 900,000 veterans, was shut down. uh 56 regional VA benefits offices are closed to the public. So I'm not sure how factual some of this is, but even just the fear of this, say if I'm someone who's looking online and I'm a veteran, the fear and stress caused by this is a lot.

I, I, know, there, are, things, going, on., Uh let for example, a lot of times when I want to go to a military base right? And I have a foundation that provides uh uplifting events on military bases all across the country and overseas. And many times if I, you know, I will look at my calendar, which we're doing right now, and I'll figure out when I can be in different areas of the country, and then I'll call up the call up the general or the colonel and say "Would you like us to come and lift up the base with a with some entertainment and that kind of thing?" And you know nine times out of 10 there, you know, if the date's available and and they don't have something else else going on they'll want they'll want me to come and and we provide meals, we do all kinds of things like that on military bases. All well, I'm in the process of doing that right now, winding up 2026.

And a lot of the bases that I'm reaching out to are saying, you know, we're kind of we got a lot of people furoughed right now, so we can't make any decisions, but you know, we're hoping that, you know, this is going to stop So, you know, it's all this furlow stuff is already sort of slowing things down a bit. I mean, they'll they'll get this sorted out eventually. It's not going to last forever and everything, but it is you know, it is u it is kind of a

a, roadblock,, you, know,, uh, for, them, to just get on with things on the military base and and continue serving our country. And part of what I do is just I everything at my foundation is all about uh the heartbeat of everything we do. I I say this is lifting people up. It's making them feel important, making them feel that they're not forgotten, that we appreciate what they're doing.

You, know,, so, so, often, somebody, who's serving in the military, they can just go about their daily life in the military and not even think that anybody knows what they're doing.

Yeah., And, I, found, that, my, role, as, an entertainer and somebody who can interact with them on military bases and you know talk to the leaders and all that kind of stuff is to kind of let people know what they do. And I go to these military bases all the I've been to hundreds of them and I go there and then I come back and I talk to people like you, Theo, and I I tell people what I see and I've met the some of the most extraordinary people serving our country out there. just some of my best friends are in the military and and and I I from somebody who's missing three limbs or four limbs to, you know, some some general who served his country for 42 years and is now retired. And when I met him, he was a major, you know, or something. I mean, you know, so I've been doing this a long time and I've met extraordinary people. I want to serve them. I don't want them to get caught in the political game games and all that

stuff. These are our defenders. Yeah. You know, where would we be if nobody wanted to do that?

Oh,, if, we, had, to, sleep, in, fear,, too., I mean, the fact that we It's I mean, it's a little bit scary certainly in certain neighborhoods and different like places but the fact if you had to sleep in complete fear, you know

um, and, that, somebody, else, is, sleeping, is not sleeping so you don't have to. It's like, yeah, the things like that we don't think about. My dad would always make us pray for uh the servicemen when we were kids. I remember I didn't even remember that until you just said that.

Um, but, yeah,, the, fact, that, some, of, these people He, did, like, how, old, were, you?

I, was, probably, six, or, seven,, I, think, when I first could remember that I was praying, you know, but I was I just remember that he would do that. But I think uh yeah, I think people used to have a different affinity for um maybe the military or some people did. I don't know. I we had a different affinity as a country. I remember the pledge of allegiance was like the most important thing, you know, do it every morning. Yeah.

Yeah., The, fact, that, we, were, all together, it was one moment where it felt like we were all together for something. Y

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There's no credit card or contract required, and you can cancel at any time. That's shipstation.comtheo. Your foundation does so many unique things. I saw the Snowball Express which was really cool. Is that what it's called? The Snowball Express.

Yeah,, that's, that's, a, program, for children of our fallen heroes. Yeah., Tell, me., I, There's, a, great, photo. I think it was from this year that you put up. Oh, this is so great. Um a thousand children of fallen soldiers to Disneyland. You guys all went

Yeah,, we, take, we, take, them., Uh, I, got involved with there there was an organization that started in 2006 and they brought a bunch of kids to Disneyland in Anaheim.

Mhm. And, after, they, did, that, event,, um, they contacted me to tell me about the event and and they wanted to do it again in 2007. and they asked me to get involved and I I did and started attending the event, started donating my band. Um American Airlines is a big supporter of that. They provide all the airfare, all the charter airplanes. They will they'll provide 12 charters from all over the country to fly the kids.

Wow. Into, this, event., Uh,, eventually. Thank, you,, American, Airlines., That's amazing. American Airlines and they've been doing it now, you know, going back to the beginning. And I got involved you know, like like I've said, it's it's almost 20 years. And we eventually moved it from Anaheim to Dallas, which is where American Airlines is based. They've, you know, and so we did the the event there for about nine years. And I would come bring my band and all of that. And then I have this great relationship with Disney World. I've been narrating a show down there since 2000 every Christmas time. It's called the Candlelight Processional

and, I, would, bring, my, family, there, and, I thought this is the next place that we have to bring the kids. It was going to cost a lot more money. Oh yeah, that's the canalite processional. I started in 2000 and I've done it many many times. I'll be doing it again this year.

When, do, you, do, it?, I, I, uh, I, used, to, do it right sometimes I do it on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Wow. And, now, I, do, it, uh, because, we're bringing the kids there. We, uh, in, 2018, we, folded, that organization Snowball Express into the Gary Senise Foundation

cuz, it, was, going, to, cost, a, lot, more money to move it to Disney World. So, we, we, had, the, ability, to, raise, the additional money.

Uh, so, now, we, take, the, kids, to, Disney World. And so when uh we do two events we do military kids and we will have close to a thousand children who have lost a parent in military service

plus, you, know, the, surviving, spouse plus hundreds of volunteers. I mean we take over an entire hotel at uh at Disney World you know 800 rooms and all that. It's very expensive. But what you see happening to these children when they come together and they meet each other and they meet uh you know other children that are going through the same thing. They've all lost a mom or a dad

in, the, military, and, they're, all heartbroken kids and they're they're going through all that, but they meet all these other kids and they befriend each other and they stay in touch with each other. And then we provide year-round events in states all over the country throughout the year for these families. And then after we do the military event, we bring children of fallen firefighters and police officers there. And we'll have gosh, we'll have 500 something kids of of fallen firefighters and police officers there.

So we do two back-to-back events, all expense paid. We just want them to come and we want to shine a spotlight on on them and we want to just wrap our arms around these amen these families and love on them so that they know that they can go home from that and know that there's a big big giant community of people that care about them that don't forget what they're going through that honor their hero that they lost and think about them every day. And that's what we do at the Gary Senise Foundation. We have dozens of corporate sponsors that love the event. And you know, like I say, we we probably have 2,000 people there.

Wow. You, know,, work, in, the, event, uh, with, the volunteers and the staff and the Disney folks

and, then, the, families, that, we, bring, in. It's it's a gigantic event. And you, know,, I'll, I'll, I'll, always, send them off on an airplane and, you know, I show up at the airport. That's that's what you were seeing there with me on the plane with the kids and all that.

I, mean,, it's, amazing,, you, know,, it's nice to be reminded that there's uh an organization uh that's helping to fill in the gaps of uh like the government organizations and it's not like but that's what we need. That's what we've always been, you know, it's like we have to in the end we have to count on ourselves, right? Um

is, there, like, a, moment, or, two, that stands out from some of the experiences on those types of weekends that

Yeah., I'm, I'm, in, hundreds, and, hundreds of families, you know, and they're all going through some some difficult loss you know, and unfortunately each year there's a new family, you know, I mean these are these are, you know, we we can't point to a war that's going on right now, but people are serving out there. Yeah. Unfortunately, we lose people who take their own lives because this they they they don't know where to turn and they feel like that's the only way out and that leaves the family behind. We don't want those families to feel like nobody cares. You know, this is this is a family who's served and sacrificed for our country.

Uh, we're, all, we, all, benefit, from Oh,, yeah. the, service, of, our, defenders, and, their families. Uh so we have a role to play. I think we as citizens have a role to play. I I have said this that government does a certain amount but I I don't think we can expect government to do everything for everybody [snorts] and we have a role to play as citizens and if every every neighborhood, every community, every town, every city, every state in the country recognize that there are veterans and military families and first responders within those communities that are struggling struggling and we reached out, took the initiative ourselves within our own communities to touch those families and take care of them and let them know

hey,, we're, here, for, you,, whatever, you need. If every community did that in the country,

this, Yeah,, this, stuff, that, you, hear about veterans falling through the cracks and all that stuff and getting left behind for different things and stuff,

you, know,, all, of, that, would, be, greatly reduced. all those problems if we as citizens just recognize that hey

there, are, people, out, there, that, that protect us they defend us and uh I I appreciate that. So I'm not going to I'm not going to neglect I'm not going to take it for granted.

And, who, like, who, in, my, neighborhood, who in my town who in my township um who has a family member that's over there serving that I could stop by and say hello or do something nice for leave a card in their mailbox or do you know what I'm saying? Just little things like that. It's like I'm I'm even asking myself. It's like, you know, how can I be a part of even just my local community to help let people people around me feel recognized that their dad isn't over there in vain or their mother isn't over there serving in vain, that there aren't people thinking about them and praying for them and making themselves available if there's something else that the family needs.

That, little, thing, can, make, a, big difference. There are big things that you can do, right? You can donate to national organizations. You can, you know, you can create an or organization that but there are small things that you can do too. You know, you can just pat somebody on the back and say, "I appreciate you." You know, that's that's it. That gesture, you know, if you're walking through an airport, you see a soldier and you pat them on the back and say, "I appreciate what you're doing. Thank you for serving our country."

You don't know if that person has just lost three buddies in something. if he's coming home carrying a big heavy load.

And, that, little, gesture,, that, little, pat on the back, that little acknowledgement

of, what, they're, doing., Yeah. That, can, that, can, go, a, long, way., That can change somebody's day in a big way. Just those little tiny gestures. I remember

you, know, the, the, kinds, of, stuff, you, hear hear about. And I I made a a practice of this. If I saw soldiers or something like that in a restaurant, I'd always like anonymously pick up their check. I mean, this goes this goes along, you know, this goes back a long way. Well when I started my foundation, we created a program and we call it serving heroes. And now we've served well over a million meals on military bases, firehouses you know, police departments, people like that. Uh

bring, me, to, one, of, the, things, next, year if you if you do something. Yeah,, sure., It's, called, I, Well,, I, know you live here now, so

Oh,,, yeah., Now, I'm, screwed. Now, you're, stuck. I'm, gonna, have, to, start, learning, how, to march.

You You'll, be, serving, some, heroes, with us. You I, would, love, to,, Gary., That, would, mean that would fill my heart up.

That's, it, right, there. Yeah. So,, that's, me. Oh,, yeah., I, love, macaroni.

That's, Yeah,, that's, macaroni, and, cheese or beans or whatever it is. We, you know, we always get great food

and, we,, you, know,, we, have, multiple programs at the foundation. Now, that little program there, just serving veterans at a VA or uh some, you know military base or something like that that little program

can, make, a, big, difference., You, know, somebody like me comes out and dishes out hamburgers and beans and stuff

and, they, call, home, and, say,, "Hey,, guess guess who gave me the beans today?" You know, I mean

Lieutenant, Dan, doing, fine. Yeah,, it, could, be., Lieutenant, Dan, dished out the beans.

He's,, doing, great,, dude. But, I've, done, it, so, many, times., And No,, I, love, it., I

You, remember, the, palisades, burning, down? Yeah. We, were, there, a, couple, weeks, later., We were dishing out food to all the first responders, the National Guard people that were there

serving, hundreds, of, meals,, just,, you know, and that kind of stuff. They they just saw a lot of bad stuff, you know and those kind types of things can just help them through.

Hey,, I'm, not, doing, this., Yeah,, that's the palace. That's the palisades there.

Wow. Um, I'm, not, doing, That's, Joe, Montana, on my right there. Is, it, really?

Yeah., Joe, Joe, and, CSI on, my, left, right, there., That's, John Andrakic who from Five for Fighting and they're buddies of mine. They're both ambassadors for my foundation.

I, can't, stand, to, fly., Is, that, them? Yeah., Yeah., Superman., Yeah. And, they're, they're, old, buddies, of, mine. We've known each other a long time. And I I said, "Hey, we're we're dishing out food. Come on over."

So,, they, came, over, to, do, it., And, we, do these all, over, the, place., I, mean,, you

Oh,, yeah., Aa, meetings, up, there, all, the time. I go to some big AA meetings up there in Palisad

at, in, the, Palisades. Yeah., Some, some, pretty, big, ones., We, go to them at the VA over there. They had a one over there

in, Westwood. In, Westwood., Yeah., With, that, golf, course in the back of that crazy place. Yeah.

Yes., That, place, seems We've, done, a, bunch, of, those, serving heroes at at the VA and

I, bet, you, have, that, place., They, just keep trying to repaint it to make it look like it's okay. You know, you know what I'm talking about.

I, told, you, that, some, of, the, VAS, need, a little work. Yeah. But, it, also, has, a, really, cool, old, school feel in there. Um but that's a Yeah I've been over to that one a great deal just to uh to go to meetings sometimes and sometimes I'll sit out there and talk to some of the guys that are sitting around over there. Um yeah. Yeah. Please let me know if there's something I can do. If there's something I can be help be a part of. Um I'm I'd love to I think this is like even just the fact that you came here and are sharing this stuff with us. It's important to be reminded. Sometimes I just get you get caught up in your own life so much. It's you get you forget about the things that are keeping your own.

We, we, have, thousands, of, donors, that, go to the Gary Foundation and help us do all this stuff.

Yeah., you, know,, and, I', I've, been, blessed because I've been, you know, had a, you know, had good good years in Hollywood and I've been able to take those resources and channel it into doing something good and then, you know provide something that the American people can support and come on board with. And now, like I said, we have hundreds of corporate donors that help us with all kinds of stuff. We build houses for our wounded and

Oh,, I, just, heard, you, guys, are, building you just building your 100th house or what did I hear? Uh on Veterans Day, we give away our 99th home in Virginia.

And, then, uh, couple, weeks,, just, about nine days, eight days later, we give away our 100th home.

Let's, go., And, how, do, you, get, how, do these homes get built? That's wild.

We, have, a, great, team, of, builders., These are all professionals, you know. We don't just get volunteers to hammer the nails and stuff. Uh we get we we've had a team of very professional builders. they, you know, our our work is not the only thing they do, but they're very very good at, you know, building these homes. We come in, we rally the communities around the service members. Uh we just had uh just just a few days ago, we just had one of our events here in Tennessee uh called Walls of Honor, which is about halfway through the home. You can see the frame up in this home. Um, we will do something before the drywall goes in.

We'll have the community and corporate sponsors and people that are part of our uh building, they will come and they'll write messages on the frame.

A and, these, are, messages, that, are, just part of the house now. These beautiful messages of support and love and appreciation. And uh we just had one of those events uh just I was I was just there just a few days ago.

So, you're, on, the, go, a, lot, with, these things. This is amazing. And this is so and if people wanted to if people do want to donate, they could just donate to Gary Sin's Foundation and it goes to all of these different things.

Yeah., Unless, you, want, to, designate, it, to something special or something like that, you can do that. Uh

and, they, can, do, it, right, on, your website. Yeah., Just, grief, foundation.org., It helps us to do all the thing. And when I take my band out to a military base, uh that's, you know, the the band is a is an initiative of the Gary Senise Foundation. Just one of our many many programs that we have at the Gary Senise Foundation to raise spirits and lift people up and to help them through. Wow. No, it's so great cuz sometimes you're like, "What do I give to? What do I donate to?" Especially these days, you hear so many charities and you don't really know what's going on. And then like people will create negative press about charities just to you know how evil it can be in the media. Um but just to know firsthand to hear all these great things. It's like man this feels like a safe place if I want to donate to that I know that the finances are going towards something important. So that yeah just cuz so many times people don't

know what to donate to. They just pick something that they've heard of which is fine but to know that this is there that's super important. Um thank you.

Yeah., Thank, you, man., Thank, you, so, much. Uh I know um you've had an interesting few years. Your son got very sick in the past few years.

Yeah. M, his, name, What, was, his, full, name? Mac., Uh, first, name, is, McCanna., And everybody called him, you know, we all called him Mac.

Mhm. Yeah. Oh,, there, he, is., Handsome, guy. McKenna, Anthony. Yeah., Mac, was, um, [clears throat] he uh started playing drums when he was 9 years old and he was ju just took to it right away. Just an incred

and, played, all, the, way, through, high school. And look, how, proud, he, looks, right, there. He's pretending to look like that. Like kind of austere, you know.

Well,, is, austere, a, word? A, Yeah,, it, is., after um after music school, he went to USC music school. Um and then he went on tour. He was touring around overseas and around the country with different bands and whatnot. He came to work for the Gary Senise Foundation in 2017.

Wow. He, just, was, kind, of, tired, of, the, road and he I I kept kind of bugging him a little bit. well, why don't you dip your toe in the water and just come and work at the foundation part time? [clears throat]

And, he, started, to, do, it, and, he, fell, in love with the mission. And, that's, that's, Mac, and, I, on, one, of our uh trips where we took uh probably about 45 World War II veterans down to the National World War II Museum

in, New, Orleans. In, New, Orleans. Yeah. And, we, take, them, with, our, our, program called Soaring Valor. Mack fell in love with that program and just loved being around the veterans and he was just getting so into working with the foundation. He also was a great composer and um wrote music for the foundation

and, then, in, 2018, he, was, uh, he, was diagnosed with a very rare cancer called cordoma. It starts in the spine. And um he [clears throat and cough] had his initial tumor removed in September of 2018, but the cancer came back in May of 2019. He stayed working with for the foundation while he was going through treatment until the end of 2019. And then things got very, very hard for him. And uh you can see him there in a wheelchair. He he was disabled by the cancer. Couldn't walk anymore. Couldn't play any music anymore. Wasn't thinking about music at all uh for for 2020, 2021, 22 in early 2023. And this is a story that you see there that I posted on the Gary Senise Foundation website about six weeks after he died. He worked for the foundation and I wanted people to know that we lost one of our team and and um people, you know, I I didn't talk about this for six years while we were going

through it. I just we were just going through cancer and trying to fight it and hoping we would find some drugs that worked and we Matt tried 25 different drugs during a 4 and a half year period and nothing worked

and, it's, a, rare, cancer., I, mean, it's there's no cure for it. So yeah, in early 23 though he said to me, "Dad, I've been thinking about this piece of music that I wrote in college that I never finished, and I'm thinking I'd like to try to finish it." And you know, he hadn't been thinking about music at all when he said that. I was just like I was so knocked out by that. I said "Yes, that do it. Do it." And so he teamed up with a couple of my band members who he knew. Mac M was our number two drummer. if my guy Danny Gotautle couldn't be there, Mack would play.

He, grew, up, around, the, band., He, knew, all the band. Everybody loved him. So [snorts]

he, went, to, work, with, U, Dan, Meyers, and Ben Lewis uh to start fleshing out this piece called Arctic Circles. And by July of 2023, he was in the studio right there uh recording. And he also played harmonica. He picked up harmonica in his hospital bed. He he couldn't play drums so he picked up the harmonica and he started playing.

And, that's, Mac, playing, the, great American classic folk tune Shenondoa. Oh, yeah.

With, a, string, section, behind, him., And you can see that video, you can see Arctic Circles and other videos at Macenise YouTube and hear some of this music on the YouTube. You can also download it. And Mack ended up after these sessions for Shannondoa and Arctic Circles, he decided he wanted to do a whole a whole album. So along with his buddy Oliver Schneay, uh, composing buddy from that's Oliver right there uh from

USC, USC,, they, went, to, work, and, M, did, an album called Resurrection and Revival.

And he finished the music was was done and ready in December of 2023 two weeks before he died. He finished the record

and, um, we, we, posted, up, this, story. That's one of the sessions with my band for uh Resurrection and Revival. This story is on the Gary Senise Foundation website.

That's, beautiful., Handsome, young, man. Uh, he, he, was, incredible., You, you, can actually see right there on his nose.

There's, a, that's, a, tumor. Oh, and, um, you, know,, you, can, see, his, spirit right there. And we're listen we're listening to one of the pieces played back to us right there and everybody was

psyched, out, about, it. And, thank, you, for, sharing, Mack, with, us today. Thank you for letting us think about you with him and think about him. Thank for thank you for letting us speak his name today. And um you know uh it's important that uh I think when we say people's names that are that aren't here in front of us uh that they feel it that that's a real thing, right? To me that feels very real. Um same as when we pray for people that all those things are very real. Like I think our spirits are very much alive for a long time. And so thank you for

was, a, very, faithful, guy, that, that, yeah Catholic, uh, faith, helped, him through the most challenging difficult stuff. And uh

what, was, something, that, amazed, you, about your son as you're watching him go through that? you know, Theo, I never heard him say uh, you know, that why me stuff or why is this happening or anything like that you know, it was just I remember when we found out he had a tumor. And the way he dealt with it was just just,, oh,, that's, why, my, tailbone's been hurting, you know, for two years. you know, he thought it was a tailbone fracture or bruise from a bike accident or something

and, oh,, okay,, so, we're, going, to, take, it out, and, then, get, [clears throat], on, with life.

And, he, faced, it, like, that., He, always, had this sort of he was what I called a graceful warrior and such courage and such grace under fire. Um because this cancer was devastating. I mean it was one thing after another. It just kept coming at us and I was like the one in the family who had to guide us you know through it. I stopped acting in 2019 at the end of 2019. I 2020 became so difficult that I just never went back to acting and I stayed you know, I just stayed in a battle and uh and he and he was the inspiration for everything the way he courageously just faced it and just took it on the chin and took it in stride. And if he was if we could keep him out of pain and if we could keep him um you know you know from feeling too sick from the treatment and all that he was just living. He was you know he's in a hospital bed and we had to hoist him up with a a thing called a hoyer lift and you lift him out of the

bed and put him in a wheelchair or whatever like, one, of, those, shrimp, net, things almost which is crazy.

Well, it's, a, sling., It's, a, sling, that, you put under underneath them and then you hook it to this arm and then you crank it up and it lifts them out of the bed.

It's, kind, of, cool., Almost, like Yeah., Yeah., I, mean, that's, what, we, had and we had to get used to all that kind of stuff. wheelchair vans and treatment and you know radiation and you know he had multiple surgeries and and he went through all of this which was such grace and the last year of his life when he said he wanted to go back and

write, that, music in some ways even though it was getting harder and we were running out of drug options and and all of that and and his health was you deteriorating. In some ways, that was one of the best years of his entire life because he he accomplished what he set out to do. He wanted to make this record. He wanted to make this music. He wanted to resurrect and revive this old piece that he never finished. And he did it. And he did all of that. And and then after he died, I found all this additional music in his files that he wrote and tucked away that some some he'd written for the foundation and I had heard it. But then I found all this other stuff going all the way back to his college days. And so I produced a second record, Resurrection and Revival Part Two.

That's actually a story about Resurrection and Revival Part Two. Go, back, to, that, picture., I, just, want, to see him. Oh, look how happy he is. Huh?

And, that, is, We, blew, up, a, bunch, of pictures of Mac and put him in the studio when we were recording. And uh yeah, there they are. We we put the pictures around. You had the orchestra there. They're all playing.

A, lot, of, them, played, on, the, first record, you know, and so we uh we made a second record, Resurrection and Revival Part Two, which is a double vinyl album. And Mac wanted all the proceeds that came in if people bought the vinyl album, he wanted those proceeds to go to the Gary Senise Foundation.

And, so, we've special,, huh?, How, special, for, your, son to like just to make it such a family mission, you know, to

You, know, what's, cool,, too?, You, can, see here like, all, those, messages, right, in, the middle of the screen there. Mhm.

Those, are, there, are, thousands, of messages that were posted on the Gary Senise Foundation website after people read this story. And I can't tell you how meaningful that was for people to write in and leave these messages for our family and how helpful that was for us to read. the these are from my bandmates and some of the people that worked for the foundation, but these are the messages that came in from the general public and they continue to come in

a and, to, have, this, kind, of, support, and people sharing their own stories of loss and going through it and reading Mac's story and listening to his music and what listening to his music was doing for them. That was all of that has been so helpful to us in our loss. It's, you know, I mean, to lose a son is it's, you know, it's the hard hardest thing that I've had some hard things in life but uh to to watch our son go through that and and and to lose him in the end was the most difficult thing in life. But also, like I said, the blessings that we've had, you know, uh, with his music and

for, sure, you, know,, and, now, I've, got, a, I've, got, a third record going. I found even more music

of, Mac, stuff., Let's, go. I, mean,, it's, incredible., There's, a, third record going. I I just he wrote so many things that he never thought would I mean you know how a musician will get an idea they'll kind of chunk it out throw it onto a recorder tuck it away over here and then you know go on and so I found all these things that he wrote and tucked away and and we brought a whole bunch of those to life orchestral music things rock tunes something as big as you know him sitting down with his computer programs and doing big sweeping string orchestrations

to him singing a melody into his phone that he didn't want to forget that was in his head

and, he, sings, this, melody and, so, I've, I've, taken, those, melodies gone to to my my guys that work with me on it

and, said, let's, bring, these, melodies, to life and, so, many, of, Mac's, melodies, are, coming to life now in in the third record it's really

it's, spectacular, It's, It's, beautiful. And all the proceeds will go to the Gary Senise Foundation to help our mission.

He, loved, our, mission, at, the, Gary, Senise Foundation. Well,, it's, just, so, amazing, that, he, got in there and was able to just like just feel the joy of being a part of uh serving others, you know.

Yeah. Um if, you, get, a, chance,, play, some, play, some of that. Oh,, I, would, love, to.

It's, good, stuff. I'm, going, to, play, really, amazing, music. I, want, to, listen, to, something, in, just, a second here. Um, was there do you feel like there was a way that he tried to prepare you for him passing or what is that like is that a strange question? No. No, it's not. I you know what he was preparing. He knew he had an incurable cancer and every drug we were trying wasn't working. And he tried like 25 different drugs during a four and a half year period. And uh we would

were, there, plant, medicines, and, stuff, you tried too even yeah, there, I, mean, at, one, point, he, was doing uh cucumbers from New Zealand you know

that, were, showing, some, positive, signs like on an immuno theapy side uh and we had a very good oncologist who was we never we never got to that point where they said we don't know what to dom We don't have any ideas.

Our, oncologist, was, like,, "Mack,, as, long as you want to keep trying then, I'll, keep, looking, for, something, to try." And he did. And he kept he kept trying to find something. And you know unfortunately, we'd get to a certain point with one drug and we didn't see enough results. So, you you bang into the next one. And, you know, we had a lot of drugs go through MAC at a certain point. And it was very you know, it was very, very challenging you know, to to to to fight that. But I never saw him not want to do it. Later on, I found videos that he made.

And when I say he was trying, he was preparing himself, he was also leaving some things for the family. and he wrote some things that I found and he left messages and at one point in 2022 he had to go in for very serious he was having a very serious bladder issue. His bladder was just shutting down and he had to have tubes put in his kidneys to drain the urine

directly, out, of, his, kidneys, and, and, he was in the ICU for about 12 days. And at that point he thought this you know he he was wondering if that was going to be it you know the end. So he started thinking and he started writing and he started leaving videos and he started prepar and then I after he died I started finding all this stuff messages from him things that he was thinking

a and, not, you, know, to, be, sad, you, know, but I I want to leave something he, was, saying, I, want, to, leave, something

that, people, will, so, people, will, know, me a little better and he, was, thinking, ahead, you, know, to, the time where he might not make it and uh you you know, with everything that was happening to him, he was he was realistic, you know, he was very realistic about the fight and the uphill battle that we had and we weren't seeing enough progress, you know, on the positive side to combat the cancer. So he was preparing in in a lot of ways and, you know, like I said, I've discovered a lot of things and and I've discovered more about my son than I could have imagined. you know just his talent, his wisdom, his spirituality, a lot of beautiful things that uh cuz I've spent countless hours, you know all the time digging into things about my son and I'm working on a, you know something that will come out next year about him and, [snorts] you know, so I'm I'm I'm spending a lot of time and and Mac is he continues to

help me and and we share, you know, my band plays two songs and that he wrote and yeah, two songs. Yeah, we're playing at the opy next week and Max's going to have his opy debut.

Let's, go., With, two, of, his, songs. He, sounds, like, such, a, gift. That's, what, he, sounds, like., Was, he always like that? Even when he was small, like when he was a child?

Yeah,, you, know,, he, was, a, kid,, you, know, like like other kids. But he was Mac was a very always very sensitive. his mom. I think he's he's got this s sensitive beauty that his mother has and she gave him a lot of that. And um and at one point he went off to college and he kind of you know did was doing the college thing and kind of went through a period you know where he's a little strayed but then he came back to his faith in a really big way

you, know, when, he, uh, at, you, know, a, couple years out of college he was he was looking for something more than what he had

and, that's, why, that's, when, he, started kind of revisiting his faith. And I'll tell, you,, [clears throat] the fact that he kind of uh reinvested in in that in 2017 in such a profound way that was so meaningful to him. The fact that he did that when he did was a gigantic benefit to his fight because the following year

he's, diagnosed, with this, terrible, cancer and, he, has, something, inside, to, help support him.

Yeah., And, and, the, timing, couldn't, have been better for that, you know, for him to have that strength

and, he, always, relied, on, that, throughout the fight. Um,, were, you, so, proud, of, him?, Oh. Yeah, could not be prouder of anyone. Um, I'm proud of my kids and u our our daughters are amazing and you know through the whole thing. [clears throat] We all heartbroken of course but uh our daughters were amazing through it all and love their brothers so much and uh that that's the three of them right there.

Yeah., Tell, me, about, Mac's, [snorts] sisters if you have a if you have a minute.

Yeah., Um, well,, there's, the, [clears throat], one picture there. Um where, they're, looking, back, at, the camera.

Yeah,, that's, cute. That's, my, daughter, Sophie, on, the, right and then Mac in the middle. And then Yeah, that one there.

And, then, Ella,, the, youngest., Ella's pregnant with her third child right now.

Let's, go,, Ella., Somebody's, knocking, her up, huh? Dude,, sorry. But yeah, we, know, how, it, happens., Sorry,

that's, terrible. I'm, just, trying, to, make, you, laugh. I'm, just, trying, to, make, you, laugh.

And, Sophie, on, the, right,, she's, got, three kids. So you, got, a, big, family.

Mac, loved, his, his, little, nieces. Um, my wife is amazing. That's her on the right there with with Mac. Um uh they we all have a very close relationship and uh we all have helped each each other through u you know this this very difficult time. Um, no question about it. [snorts]

Just, the, value, of, family,, of, having people, you know you, know,, in, the, beginning, when, you're going through a loss like that, I mean we've all been through terrible loss but but this particular thing in the beginning, you're all you're all exactly in the same place at the same time. You're all crying every day, all the time. and and then as time goes on, you start to manage your grief a little bit more. Um, just manage those moments. The moments come sneak up on you and stuff like that and sometimes they'll hit me and you know all of a sudden I'm in a very emotional place and you know my wife will just put her hand on my shoulder you know whereas in the beginning she'd start crying herself or my daughter starts crying. we all be crying at the same time and you kind of help each other through those moments.

You just know, okay, dad's having a a moment here with Mac and we just have to help him through, you know, and so you learn to process your grief a little better. And the thing I would say to anybody, you know, is you is those beautiful memories that you have of somebody that you miss like that and that you've lost. Those are the things that sustain you, you know, and you have to hang on to them. You can't you know, Mac, I know Mac doesn't want me to grieve and be sad and depressed all day long and

no, miss, him, all, day, long, and,, you, know,, all of that. He wants us to go on and live. And anybody that we love that we lose that's what they they don't want us sitting around wasting a minute of time just not making the most out of the life that we have. And that's what that's what we do to kind of celebrate and honor those that we've lost. We live on for them. And, [clears throat], uh, I, know, that, Mac is proud of me and what I'm doing with his music. He's He's probably a little freaked out about it because I'm so obsessed with it. But uh but he's also like, "Dad, you you took that little idea and turned it into something."

I, know. And, I've, and, sure, Oliver, I, brought Oliver Schne back on and Oliver's producing the second record.

Let's, go., Thank, you,, Oliver. Yeah,, Oliver's, doing, a, a, tremendous, job with arranging certain things. My keyboard player, Ben Lewis, has taken a bunch of the piano music that I found that Mac did and woven these things together, these beautiful melodies that Mack created. My violin player, uh, Dan Meyers, who worked with Mac on a song called Quasy Love that's on the second record. It's a rocking tune. The last song that Mac wrote, he wrote it with Dan. U, Dan is working on three different songs right now. They're all came out of Mac's files. So, we are doing something pretty cool. And I think Mac Mac is probably just kind of in shock a bit bit been in shock that we're going so crazy with it all.

Oh, well, it it's like Yeah. In the end it's like the like it's just how much can we try and love, right? How much can we try and love? How much can we try to be there to fill in the gaps um of the world, of the parts that are tough, you know, how much can we be there for each other? Those are the things that mean something.

Yeah. You, know,, they, really, are., And, uh, and it's just it's it's the truest thing.

And, and, parents, you know, we we just you know, spending time with your kids and loving on your kids and and all of that, that's that's precious. It's it's precious stuff, you know, loving on our loved ones and and you know, making sure that they know that we do, you know that's that's precious. Uh because none of us know, you know, none of us know.

Oh,, yeah., Especially, how, you, even, like touch somebody or hold somebody, you know. It was like most of my life I just wanted my dad to like put his hand on the back of my neck, you know?

Yeah., Give, you, a, pat. Yeah., Or, just, like, even, to, like, hold, me like that, you know? It's like a very like uh familial type of thing. You know, there's things you Yeah. We just want to feel, you know, connected. We want to feel cared about. Um and yeah, I thank you and Mac uh for creating such an environment that continues to just uh nurture and inspire that in the world. not in an egotistical way, but in a way of just like, "Hey, we feel like this is important. So, come and join us on this journey of um of being there to to give out a meal, to give out a hug, to watch a family smile when they get to walk into Disney World with pens of their dad or their mother on their chest and feel like uh they're not alone or they're not forgotten about." Um

that's, exact, exactly, right., And, and, and I know with with regards to Mack, he he loved the foundation so much. He loved the the people that we serve, he was uh he wrote a great patriotic anthem called The Rise. It's really an incredible piece piece of music. And he wrote it for the foundation after he started going on these trips with World War II veterans.

Wow., you, know,, young, people., We, pair young students up, you know, like a 16 or, 17, year old, with, a, 95year-old World War II veteran who survived Euima or something like that. Yeah.

And, they, get, to, learn, from, them, and, Mac learned from them and he he was inspired by them and now we have his music to share with it. Um, you know what? Can I mention this?

For, sure. Last, May Both Resurrection and Revival and Resurrection and Revival Part Two were among the top 10 most downloaded records in America on iTunes.

And, this, is, like, Blake, Shelton,, Morgan Wallen, all these guys are on the top 10. And there's Maxise with two records. And, Forbes,, a, a a, writer, with, Forbes, saw that and was like, who's Maxine? you know what is this? And so he wrote a story on it on how these records were among the most downloaded records

in, America, on, iTunes., So, the, music, is getting out there. The music is being shared. The music is helping the Gary Cise Foundation. We have more music coming. We wanted to continue to inspire people and and you know sharing the story of of Mac and the foundation is something that I I can do all day long cuz it it's a lot of beautiful work.

Oh,, well, just, the, beauty, that, went, into it, the life that went into it, you know, and the fact that um you know uh that it's like Mac's life has been is now in it, you know. It's like it's in it. It's it's giving your life to making something that's not just of you. You know, like you were saying, like getting out of yourself, you know? I know when I'm not feeling good, it's like I got to go do something for somebody else or I need to call somebody else and ask them how they're doing. The only solution uh to me is you. You know, that's really the truth. Um for me anyway. Uh

that's, that's, true., That's, that's, a, big And, on, the, way, out, today,, we, will, play, a couple of Max tunes. keep um we'll just go to our screen card of the episode and we'll play Arctic Circles and we'll play maybe we play that uh the veterans at the anthem. What is that one called you?

It's, called, the, rise., Yeah,, that's, on the YouTube channel as well. Okay., Yeah.

So, maybe, we, can, play, the, rise. Very, patriotic, song. Is, it, good?, Well,, that's, perfect, for Veterans Day.

Yeah,, absolutely. And, for, this, week,, um, and, yeah,, Gary,, we we want to double our donation too to you guys. Sorry for being cheap earlier. And uh Yeah.

Um, thank, you. But, yeah,, on, behalf, of, our, podcast, and uh the people that listen and just thank you so much for your work and uh and for just coming and spending time with us today and for letting us spend time with Max Life, you know, I can even feel him smiling, dude. I don't even know him but I can feel it.

And, uh, thanks. It's, just, so, special. I'll, come, back, when, we, got, part, three. We can listen to that one.

Okay., We, can, just, sit, here, and, listen, to it sometime, too, if we want. [clears throat], Awesome,, bud., We, don't have to talk a bunch. tell your wife thank you so much for uh being uh supportive of you and I I don't know what she does with the organization. She may do a ton, but just tell her thank you so much for being a supporter as well because I know sometimes there's always a an amazing woman behind the the name sometimes and stuff. So, um

yeah,, I've, got, I've, got, a, great, family supporting us, both our sons-in-law. We we got lucky and you know, we're we're just we're very blessed in a lot of ways.

Yeah., Um, Gary, Senise,, thank, you, so, much, brother. Uh, happy Veterans Day to you and um and yeah, let me know when I can come and uh and help out next year.

I, will,, bud. Okay,, good., Thank, you. Thank, you. Heat., Heat. Heat up here.

Heat up Heat, up, here. Heat., Heat.,

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "Gary Sinise | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #623"?

Theo Von (Host), Gary Sinise (Guest).

What is "Gary Sinise | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #623" about?

The main topic centers on Gary Sinise, an accomplished actor known for his roles in "Forest Gump" and "CSI: New York," as well as his dedication to supporting veterans and first responders through his foundation. In the conversation, Sinise shares insights on his personal journey, his recent move to Nashville, and upcoming performances with the Lieutenant Dan Band, including a special event at…

What is mentioned in this Theo Von episode?

8 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Gary Sinise Foundation, Lieutenant Dan Band, Forest Gump, Resurrection and Revival, Veterans Day, Resurrection and Revival Part Two. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "Gary Sinise | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #623"?

The episode runs 1 h 39 min; the transcript is about 17,640 words in 289 timestamped sections.

More from Theo Von

About this transcript: the episode's spoken words as captioned on YouTube, split into timestamped sections. Reclip.Me locates every person, work and idea in the text, keeps the time it is first named, and quotes the words around it verbatim. Last updated January 24, 2026.