Joe Mantegna Praises His Good Friend Gary Sinise in Touching New Interview

From Good Housekeeping

For actor Joe Mantegna, hosting the National Memorial Day Concert alongside Gary Sinise is "the most important thing" he does every year.

And while Gary has become a staple at the annual PBS concert special, Joe was actually the first of the two to get involved, making his first appearance in the 2002 broadcast. "It was the first show after 9/11, and it had such an impact on me," he told GoodHousekeeping.com. His involvement made him "realize the scope of it all," ultimately showing him that "without Memorial Day, there is no reason to have any other holiday." From that point forward, Joe made sure he could participate — and eventually, host — each year.

In 2006, Joe recruited Gary as his co-host because, as he describes, it was the obvious choice. "Quite frankly, there's nobody in show business that does more for the military than Gary," he continued. "I'm proud to have him as a friend, and certainly proud to have him as my co-host."

Photo credit: Paul Morigi - Getty Images
Photo credit: Paul Morigi - Getty Images

Throughout their 40-plus-year friendship, the two have bonded over their similarities: their slew of award-winning acting credits, strong ties to Criminal Minds (Gary starred in the short-lived Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, and Joe played David Rossi on Criminal Minds for 13 years.), and of course, their deep-rooted appreciation for the military.

Together, they find ways to support active military members, veterans, and Gold Star Families 365, 24/7 — not just on Memorial Day. Most notably, Gary started the Gary Sinise Foundation in 2011 to create and support programs to honor U.S. defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. Early on in the Foundation's history, Joe nabbed a spot on the Ambassador's Council.

"It's endless what he's given to members of our military in this country. He's not just a role model for the entertainment business; Gary Sinise is a role model for humanity," Joe said while presenting an award to Gary at The Noble Awards in 2015.

Photo credit: Michael Tullberg - Getty Images
Photo credit: Michael Tullberg - Getty Images

While Joe recognizes that he does his part, he admits that Gary is the gold standard. "Gary's service reminds me of the American eagle, and at times I feel like a sparrow that flies in the shadow of that eagle," Joe reflected while honoring Gary with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017.

This year, we'll get a chance to see them together again hosting the National Memorial Day Concert on PBS. Although it won't take place on the West Lawn in Washington D.C. like in year's past, they plan to give a "special show to remember full of segments from the show's 31 years" while adhering to social distancing guidelines. Given this year's unique circumstance, the 90-minute broadcast will also pay tribute to the American heroes on the front lines during the coronavirus crisis: "The people we took for granted are of the most importance," Mantegna says. "It just go to show how much we depend on each other to move forward, and our military has been doing this for 200 years."

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