Sportsman Channel and Actor/Humanitarian Gary Sinise Join Forces for Network’s “Salute to Service”

New Berlin, WI (November 5, 2013) – Award-winning actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise has signed on to become the official spokesman for Sportsman Channel’s Salute to Service initiative. The announcement was made today by Gavin Harvey, CEO of Sportsman Channel.

Sportsman Channel’s Salute to Service initiative is a multimedia effort to celebrate American servicemen and women, and raise awareness of issues and opportunities facing veterans. Launched in 2013, the program spans everything from series programming and documentaries to social media and editorial. Salute to Service will take center stage on Sportsman Channel on every major holiday that commemorates the U.S. military’s sacrifices and successes, including Memorial Day, July 4th and Veterans Day. In expanding its content and coverage in 2014, Sportsman Channel’s initiative reflects its audience’s strong connection to military service, stories, people and patriotism.

Sinise, who was nominated for an Academy Award® for his portrayal of “Lieutenant Dan” in Forrest Gump, is also a dedicated veterans’ rights activist and musician who raises funds and awareness through his “Lt. Dan Band” concerts and the Gary Sinise Foundation (http://www.garysinisefoundation.org). Sinise and his “Lt. Dan Band” performs close to 50 shows a year for military bases, charities and fundraisers supporting wounded warriors, Gold Star families, veterans and troops around the world. In 2008, Sinise was the recipient of the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian honor awarded to citizens for exemplary deeds performed in service of the nation and recently was named an honorary Marine, an honor bestowed on only 76 other people in the 200-plus year history of the Marine Corps.

Sinise also has produced and starred in the documentary High Flight that will make its exclusive world television premiere on Sportsman Channel in 2014. The documentary follows Sinise’s experience training and flying to 70,000 feet in a U-2 Dragon Lady High-Altitude Reconnaissance spy plane at the USAF Reconnaissance Wing at Beale AFB.

“Gary Sinise is an inspiration to anyone who ever asked themselves ‘What can I do to help vets?’,” said Gavin Harvey, CEO of Sportsman Channel. “His involvement in Sportsman Channel’s Salute to Service initiative will lend a powerful voice to our network team’s effort to do our part to raise awareness on behalf of the brave men and women who serve, and have served, our country.”
”It’s an honor to join forces with Gavin and his team at Sportsman Channel,” said Sinise. “I’m eager to work with them to help raise awareness for veterans’ issues. Any opportunity to bring attention to our nation’s servicemen and women is a welcome one.”

Sportsman Channel’s Salute began on July 4th and featured multimedia programming throughout the day that included a social media ticker and personal testimonials from America’s servicemen and women. On November 11 from 12-7 p.m. ET, the military-themed offering of the Salute initiative will be an all-day programming schedule – Sportsman Channel’s Veterans Day Salute sponsored by Bravo Company. The day will include soldier salutes made possible in cooperation with the Department of Defense, special vignettes and on-air social media messaging and salutes to all veterans.