Sinise: OKC ‘Did-It-Right’ In Supporting Local Wounded Veteran
Actor says Oklahoma City ‘did it right’ in supporting wounded veteran
BY DIANA BALDWIN
Oklahoma City did it right when it comes to supporting triple-amputee Staff Sgt. Rusty Dunagan in his challenge to live a full life now that he is home in Edmond, actor Gary Sinise told The Oklahoman.
Those were the findings at a summit that Sinise and his foundation, along with the University of Southern California School of Social Work, held to examine the needs of America’s severely wounded heroes and their caregivers.
“We had academic, wounded, military, nonprofit, caregivers and educators and we were trying to foresee and spitball where future needs might be coming down the road in five, 10 or 15 years after 13 years of war,” Sinise said.
Oklahoma City was the site of an “Inspiration to Action” event in March to raise money to build Dunagan a new home in the Deer Creek school district. A screening of Sinise as Lt. Dan in “Forrest Gump” was held with questions and answers afterward.
Dunagan, 33, lost his legs and his left arm in a 2010 land mine and bomb attack in Afghanistan. Dunagan and his wife, Angie, have five children. He is a native of Guthrie now living in Edmond.