My grandpa recently took a trip to New Orleans to be present at an opening of a WWII memorial and it wouldn't have been possible without the help of actor Gary Sinise.
Below is an open letter to Gary Sinise and hopefully an encouragement to everyone else, that we need to focus more on the good and less on the negative.
Dear Gary Sinise
I've enjoyed your film and TV show character's for years. Most notably among them is your portrayal of Lieutenant Dan in Paramount Picture's Forest Gump.
It's only been in the last month that I've become aware of your other work at the Gary Sinise Foundation, but it has touched my life immensely and I'd like to tell you why.
My Grandpa
First, I need to tell you about my Grandpa. I know I'm completely biased when I say I've got the world's greatest grandpa, but honestly, it's not far from the truth. He is one of the wisest, most humble guys I know.
When I was little, he would carry me on his shoulders and we'd walk around his neighbourhood with pockets full of dog biscuits for all the dogs we passed. He knew each one by name and often their owners would come out and my grandpa would call them by name too.
He's a people person and no one is a stranger for long.
When he's in a crowd, he doesn't see a group of people, he sees individuals. He makes the time to really get to know them, not for any gain of his own, but because he knows each person is a unique gift of God.
And if you've got the time to listen, he'll tell you all about God's gift of eternal life.
But I know you know that, because you recently got to meet him and there's no doubt in my mind that he shared his story with you.
My Thank You
Which leads me to why I'm writing this open letter, because I want to thank you for taking the time to listen and for the work your foundation is doing. Not just for veterans, but for the example of honour you are setting.
You are reminding our society to focus on the good, to honour and give respect. This is something our world needs more of.
Especially now.
Thank you for honouring my grandpa and his years of service to his country.
But also, thank you for setting this example for us. It's my hope more people will take notice of what you are doing and replicate it in their own lives.
I'm convinced that if we were to focus on the good, to give honour to those around us and to take time to really see the people in our lives that this would be a better world.
I for one am challenged.
Charis Joy Jackson is working as a full-time missionary with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) a non-profit organization in Brisbane. During the day she makes movies and in her spare time is writing a novel. www.charisjoyjackson.com
Charis Jackson's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/charis-jackson.html