Sinese during the 2012 National Memorial Day Concert. (Getty Images)

Over the past decade, Gary Sinise has become as well known for his activism with veterans as he has for his acting.

Many may assume Sinise’s work to support military service members began after he played broken then healed veteran Lieutenant Dan in the film Forrest Gump. But, as he told DCist, his work with veterans began years before that role.

Sinise is in D.C. to moderate a panel at the GE Veterans Network National Summit today and to take up his annual duties as a co-host of Sunday’s National Memorial Day Concert at the U.S. Capitol. Sinise works with General Electric’s “Get Skills to Work” coalition, which announced Thursday that 190 manufacturers had joined the effort to place veterans in long-term careers. Over email, the actor answered DCist’s questions about his latest trip to D.C. via email.

What will you be doing while you’re in D.C.? When and why did you get involved with the Get Skills to Work coalition?

I’ll be in D.C. to join GE at its Veterans Network National Summit, where I’ll be moderating a discussion with Sidney E. Goodfriend, founder and chairman of American Corporate Partners, and Ken Falke, a 21-year combat veteran of the U.S. Navy and retired master chief petty officer, around the challenges facing returning veterans and how the private sector can best help veterans transition to the civilian workforce with programs like Get Skills to Work.

I got involved with the Get Skills to Work program in late 2012 as it builds on the mission of the Gary Sinise Foundation which is to serve the nation by honoring its defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need. By creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen and build communities, the foundation is committed to ensuring that the sacrifices of our brave men and women are never forgotten. I’m really proud to partner with companies like GE and other American employers that are stepping up to help our heroes. With an estimated 600,000 open advanced manufacturing jobs across America, this program is committed to closing the gap and creating new futures for those who worked to make ours better.

You’re co-hosting the National Memorial Day Concert at the Capitol once again. What keeps bringing you back?

Memorial Day is the perfect time for us to recognize, celebrate and honor the incredible sacrifices made by the men and women who serve and protect the U.S., and it’s important that the country comes together to continue to serve our veterans just as they have served us. I am co-hosting the National Memorial Day Concert again because it’s important to me that I pay tribute and honor our fallen soldiers, military service men, women and their families.

Was playing a veteran in Forrest Gump the beginning of your connection to helping veterans? Or did it begin before then?

While playing Lieutenant Dan certainly helped me understand some of the challenges that returning veterans face, my concern for veterans predates Forrest Gump by more than a decade. In fact, I’ve been supporting America’s servicemen and women for over 30 years. It began in the early 80s with my support of Vietnam Veterans groups and the creation of Vets Night, a program offering free dinners and performances to veterans at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago. And, since launching the Gary Sinise Foundation in 2011, I’ve increasingly devoted my time to supporting the men and women who protect and defend our great country through programs such as Building for Americas Bravest, Gary Sinise Foundation Relief and Resiliency, Invincible Spirit Festivals, Serving Heroes and Arts and Entertainment Outreach. I strongly believe that we can keep our country strong by taking care of those who serve. In addition to partnering with GSTW, I’ve traveled to visit our troops in Iraq and around the world and have also performed with my band (The Lt. Dan Band) in Afghanistan and Guantánamo Bay, among many other places, to help boost the morale of our troops and military families.

Tell me what it’s like to play with the Lt. Dan Band for service members.

The purpose of the concerts is to not only raise funds for various projects that benefit veterans and active duty personnel, but also to help raise public awareness for the struggles that many veterans face. It’s incredibly gratifying – and humbling – to play in front of hundreds of veterans and their communities that have gone through so much to protect and serve our country. It feels good to help lift spirits and boost morale of service men and women.

Now that CSI: NY has ended, will you be looking for another TV or film project? Or will you devote more time to your foundation?

I’m considering other TV and film projects, but—no matter what I do next—the foundation will continue to be big part of my life. It’s incredibly important to me to continue supporting our troops, and I’ll continue to raise awareness and show my gratitude for those who serve.

On a less serious note, do you have a favorite restaurant on the Hill?

Every time I come back to D.C., there’s a new restaurant to discover and try out, so I hardly visit the same place twice. I love variety, and D.C. has a lot to offer.