Soaring Valor - 2015 (First Trip)

[@livnlife2day2]

You are a good man, Gary Sinise. A true and honest patriot who has made a difference in the lives of so many. Thank you and God bless you.

[@jeffhacker2007]

We ran into a group of these men coming off a plane. People were standing and clapping - a rather large crowd too. It was very humbling and touching, and a deserved tribute to these men and to all who served in and lived thru WWII. Praise for Gary Sinise!

[@yvonnesparks5825]

Congrats to Gary Sinese for a job well done in honoring these veterans who laid it on the line for our freedom!! Just thankful we have someone like Gary stepping up on their behalf before it's too late.

[@RedRiverD007]

I cannot imagine who would thumbs down this awesome effort. They obviously do NOT understand patriotism or what sacrifices were made to protect OUR FREEDOMS.

[@billjohnston7777]

I just saw the video wherein WWII veterans make a trip the WWII Museum, courtesy of Gary Sinese’s Foundation, Soaring Valor. By the time I was three minutes into it, I could not hold back the tears that filled my eyes nor the knot in my stomach. Gary’s tribute to these old soldiers, sailors, and airmen touched me to my core. I was especially taken by the respect, the warm remarks, the thanks, and even the kisses bestowed upon these deserving, venerable veteran warriors. I have to admit that this was a bittersweet experience for me. Why? Well, I enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the latter part of the Korean War and then served for over 20 years on active duty. During that time, I received a commission and, among other duties, commanded a ship, completing several tours of duty in Vietnam waters both along the coasts and up the rivers. Combing sea missions with in-country missions on the ground, I spent a good part of five years in the combat zone of Vietnam. In fact, in all, I participated in 11 of the 17 Vietnam War Naval campaigns. Needless to say, I was very invested in it. I left active duty when the Vietnam War was winding down. I could not help but remember and compare how different my experience was from these WWII veterans when I, along with many thousands of other servicemen came back from Vietnam. We were vilified, spat on, and in some cases subjected to physical attacks upon our persons by anti-war activists, pacifists, and other malcontent civilians. A real low point for me was when I read an All-Navy Bulletin from the Chief of Naval Operations admonishing us in the Navy not to wear our uniforms in public because of the risk of being attacked. It was a bewildering time for me. I was already depressed because I had lost one of my closest friends in Vietnam and just couldn’t understand why this was happening and it all contributed to a very bitter experience for me. But, what Gary Sinise has done for my brothers-in-arms, these WWII veterans, may be the reason why there is also a sweetness I feel, perhaps vicariously, from appreciating so much what a contrast their experience was with mine. Thank you, Gary.

[@sanji__.7024]

Nothing greater a man can give than his time in service of others. Those who serve and protect, and those who salute them. Thank you Gary on behalf of all us civilians who reap the rewards of living in a free society, and thanks to our amazing veterans.

[@rosemarieelsner4967]

I have a special place in my heart for these WWII Veterans. My two oldest brothers served. One in the Army Air Corp that never returned home and one in the U.S. Navy who served in the Pacific. You all make me proud to be an American! Thank you Mr. Sinise and American Airlines. A wonderful tribute! San Antonio Rose

[@jonessan77]

Absolutely beautiful. Love it. We need more museums all over the country to remind people of the sacrifice our military made for our freedom. This brought tears to my eyes. my dad was in the end of WWII. He was in the Army, National Guard, and retired from the Air Force. He was in the Korean war. He was African American. He served his country with pride.

[@davelewandoski4292]

Gary is a rare thing in Hollywood today. a man of honor and Class.

[@marthahill4511]

This is only one of the wonderful and valuable veteran initiatives with which Gary Sinise is involved. What a great patriot! Thank you

[@robsonstreet549]

Is it possible to truly love someone you've never met. Yes, it is.. because I love Gary Sinise. I am a retired US Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer, having served 22 years. But, it is the WWII Veterans that tugs my heart strings. My Father was a WWII Vet. He never talked about it but I went through he trunk and saw the few things he kept. He will always be my Hero.

[@sue7467]

What a wonderful way to give back to those who have done so much! Both my father and father-in-law are WWII vets, and at ages 88 and 96 they are still active and joyful people. We are so grateful to have them in our lives. We are so grateful to people like Gary Sinise!!

[@karenwall4301]

I"m a Charter Member of the Museum, and I am so pleased to see Gary doing his thing yet again with our beloved veterans of the Great War! Lt Dan representin'!

[@erinmckeever7377]

Just amazing. Was fortunate to chaperone a field trip here with my son, and we just loved it. An eye opening beautiful experience that speaks to your heart from the souls of these veterans.

[@ThePacegal]

My husband is a WWII veteran. He was in the Navy and joined the navy three days after Pearl Harbor. He got out when the war ended. But he has many memories of his tour of duty. He loves America and would of loved to be on this tour!

[@Jdigiovanni10]

My Father is a WWII veteran and was part of this trip. The Gary Sinise Foundation rocks!

[@Wgfd28]

Thank-you for YOUR Service to Your country..

[@NathanSankowski]

Beautiful story. Thank you to the Veterans for their service and the people who helped make this event happen. Gary Sinese Foundation, American Airlines and the WW2 Museum of NOLA

[@billstew1972]

Gary. You are a real hero as well

[@gilbertlenchus4338]

As a Veteran I stand tall and salute GARY SINISE....WE LOVE THIS MAN!!!

[@RedRiverD007]

And as a Viet Nam DAV I applaud Gary Sinese and ALL that he has, is and will do for America's veterans.

[@waynetisdale9657]

What a wonderful thing Gary Sinise is doing for our oldest veterans. My Dad was a WWll Navy veteran and I was always proud of his service, It's good to see these Vets enjoying themselves I salute Gary and all those WWll vets.

[@egddavi5]

Gary Sinise is a true hero -- You can see that he is the real deal!

[@cplumbtx]

Amazing video! Thank you WWII vets from all theaters! You ALL make me proud to be an American, and I can't get over how brave you must have been to fight in such extreme conditions.The WWII Museum is one I've visited twice, and one that I would recommend everyone see. Simply fantastic displays and extremely informational. Worth every effort to spend going there!

[@guygrabiak]

Great job Mr. Sinise!

[@carolynbarge9901]

I am in agreement....WOW! It is a wonderful way to honor all those who served during this era of our county's history! I am putting this place on my list of "Places to See"! I wish there were more people who gave of their time and lives to do more to be sure this recognition continues!

[@regpatchell3949]

AMAZING, what a great project, a beautiful museum and oh so many heroes from our country who went to war to help so many others. God Bless ALL of our veterans! THank you to Gary Sinise for being such a great young man to back such a much needed project!

[@vincegiaccone4411]

Amazing Tribute to those who served during WW-II. God has truly blessed us. My thanks to all who served either in the European Theater or the Pacific Theater. God Bless them all, Thank You for your Service, Vince Giaccone from Louisiana

[@sunfish340]

Our WW2 Vets? They were GIANTS! Gary Sinise & American Airlines - GREAT job! WW2 vets thank you so much for rising to the occasion & being great.

[@jeanetteclark9530]

Thanks to these valiant men. Wish all our WW11 heroes could have lived to be there, but I'm sure these few carried them in their hearts.

[@rosssears3533]

I served in the Korean war and I honor these WWII vets and those who did not come home. Gary Senise is to be applauded for what he has done for those vets. It's a terrible thing to have served and then forgotten. I salute them all!

[@carolynkunkle7139]

This was very well done and well deserved by the WWII Vets. This needed to be shown for all to view. Thank you to all of you who gave your time to protect all of us at home and God bless the Gary Sinise Found. for making this happen.

[@karenbracken1632]

Now wouldn't it be the greatest EVER if he would run for President??? He is the kind of man we need leading our country.

[@ice40cream]

+Karen Bracken I agree with you 100%

[@ednahigginbotham1766]

+Karen Bracken yes.

[@erleenhirsch6365]

My Father was a WW11 Veteran and served in the Army overseas for 3 years. My late husband was a 19 year old when the war broke out and he was drafted into the Army. He made the North African Invasion as a young man and decided he needed to join the guys in those airplanes flying over his foxholes. He applied for flying school and was accepted. He spent 30 years flying aircraft from the P-47 over Europe and too many others to count. He was a fighter pilot with the "Fighter Pilot's" nerves of steel. He served in B-52's during the cold war and ended his career in the SR-71 Blackbird. Gary Sinise is such a wonderful American to take his time and talents to honor the men and women who served our country and kept all of us free.

[@mikehanner3166]

What great spirit the men and women of WWII had. This video details the gratitude that America owes the soldiers who unselfishly took to arms to defend America and the world from tyranny. I fell that the spirit is still in Americans, but it is being diluted by the current administration. We do not need to fundamentally change America; we need to embrace our heritage and continue with a resolute desire in our hearts to return America to greatness. God bless America and our veterans.

[@LarryLDill]

Gary, you and your people have done a wonderful job. Thank you....

[@shanahansmom]

Love this man!

[@johngustin5642]

A truly outstanding presentation about a museum that I simply MUST see! Many thanks to Gary Sinese and the Foundation for this wonderful video and for what they all do for our veterans!

[@robertharris3740]

What must these members of the greatest generation think, when they see what the world they fought and died for, has backslidden to. I do not believe the world will ever see men and woman like this ever again. God Bless Them and God Bless America…

[@joegowan667]

Thanks Gary Sinise

[@ednahigginbotham1766]

WOW! Would love to see this. God Bless them all. Edna Higginbotham

[@MrVideop]

Freaking awesome, Thank you Mr. Sinise.

[@MariaCristina-fn7pm]

God seen Gary Sinise Sy werk feira die Stigting os bewonderenswaardig.I love you

[@jamestravis6004]

Great Job!!!

[@TOPLS70]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!

[@ron8072]

Outstanding! Both the Valor Flights and Gary Sinise! But only 194 likes after I liked it? Give me a break! If you see this come around again, be sure to go back and "like" it! These guys and gals didn't have a problem risking their lives for what they believed in!

[@dobiedude7479]

“We can never do enough for our veterans. **1000

[@dougterry2766]

THANK YOU LT. DAN

[@leeabbamondi6872]

Gary, I wish you could do something for us who served our country in Vietnam and have been denied our Vietnam Veterans Benefits. We served in MAAG Headquarters in Saigon and other areas of the country. We were sent over under Top Secret Clearances (because we would be considered overages according to the Geneva Accords). Most of us are in our 80's now and it is a real let down to know that our service was not appreciated. I myself traveled the country extensively collecting information, doing investigations, and in training the Vietnamese Army. Two years ago, we had our first reunion in St. Louis and it was a very healing experience to be able to share with men you served with 53 years ago. Many of us are "dying" off at our ages and we share the same feelings of not being recognized for our time with boots on the ground. My saddest experience was not in Vietnam but being returned to this country and being spit on in San Francisco and also being drugged in a bar and dumped in an alley. (There was a group of us that ventured out in uniform from Oakland while we were mustering out or being reassigned). I am proud to say that I am a Vietnam Veteran and I served my country.

[@leeabbamondi6872]

+Lee Abbamondi One thing I forgot and that is, Gary, Thank you for what you are doing for Veterans. God Bless You!

[@hypoglosal]

Awesome.

[@F16ViperPLT]

I wonder how they decided which WWII vets got to participate in this event? My My WWII vet Father would have enjoyed this very much.

[@USMarineNamVet]

From a USMC Nam war Vet...."Semper Fi"

[@guygrabiak]

American Airlines way to go!

[@ahgfl007]

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the VETERAN, not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote. It is the VETERAN who salutes the Flag It is the VETERAN who serves under the Flag, ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM. I'll be EXTREMELY proud if this email reached as many as possible. We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve. God, Bless them all!!! Makes You Proud To Be An American

[@russwise1]

👍👍

[@2tfts]

Wherever all the college students need "safe spaces", coloring books & crayons, trauma animals, etc., because college life is too tough--show them what THESE people were doing during their life at the same age.

[@Jdigiovanni10]

My Father is a WWII veteran and was part of this trip. The Gary Sinise Foundation rocks!

[@jerrybaker4549]

+John DiGiovanni All I can say is WOW!!!!! I salute you and your Father!!!!!