American Hero

" Indeed it's. Not get your hands down. Yeah. And snipers are -- there is no degrees no. We live. I was blown it big gloves that. You manager -- in. We get the economy required. -- it from the world. Alabama for a between."

" How big honor for brilliant Hollywood hack you're not getting a lot of attention last week. Actor Gary -- ago about the -- best of my lieutenant Dan. In the 1994 film for a stop receiving one of our nation's greatest honors about a week ago mr. cities being awarded. The presidential citizens medal by President Bush it is the second highest civilian honor available. Given only to citizens -- performed exemplary service to their nation on the phone now. Is curiously site doing Gary good morning to you."

" Good morning thanks very much what was it like the White House we can go Gloria. It was a little bit surreal I had thirteen. There -- in my family members with me my wife and in children my mom and dad were there my brother and sister. My brother in law and my world war -- uncle Jack in the and they were all. All bear with -- we walked in the Oval Office and there was the president the First Lady greeting -- some welcoming everybody in and then they read this citation and I stood with the president you present me with some analysts right there in the Oval Office that was. Went by all too quickly but it was. -- a wonderful honor you sound so touch here. There -- very much. You know look. They were giving me this medal for. You know supporting charity work and doing humanitarian things and going around supporting the troops and doing various things like that. Visiting the war zones and that kind of thing but. Really that the reward that I get her for doing that this is just seeing. People light up and can't have it. Good time you know when I when I show up in -- music."

" Form. You know we'll -- what did you learn Gary about a US men and women overseas. Whether it's Iraq Afghanistan Kuwait what you learned about that."

" Also -- so many great. Great lessons I mean I think the military very -- most people who don't know anything about the military is really a great. Representation of our country meet all kinds of people from all walks of life from various places or. Around this country and around the world who want to become American citizens and and served the United States and so you know I meet a lot of people that are very very dedicated. And willing to make sacrifices of most of us quite frankly are unwilling roommate and and you know -- very very small percentage of people it. Our citizens of this country go defendant. And this is the time of war and it is difficult time for them and their families and Andy. And me I can do to help them just let them know that we hear about we're not going to forget about them."

" You know I often tell people what -- when you go overseas and it literally live with soldiers and Marines you get. No -- his Brothers and uncles and his -- as as mothers as answers sisters. You get to know them as human beings. And you come back with the rule with an impression of this fighting force that you could never gain from sitting back in your home and LA or New York City. I'll vote what you did happen."

" No you can't. You know I have a program it's called operation Iraqi children with a program that. I started with Laura Hillenbrand Laura -- sea biscuit American legend and we he's. Back in and Natalie those three year Leo for. I started sending school supplies over the true. Through operation Iraqi children and these these supplies go to the troops may take a mountain given the kids and when you see a soldier and -- Little child an Iraqi child. A school pit full of school supplies and their face lights up the -- and the soldiers face lights up it's. You know remind you that many and many of these service members have kids of their own -- home. They're just bothers them and mothers that are or their serve in the country and they're going away from their families for a year and given in the school supplies to get to the kids in in bringing Iraqis together with the Americans and and and make a good day for everybody so. You know just remind you that you know these are either. Either American citizens that have job and they do things that they've you know they've chosen to serve their country and I think one of the things we can do is just to help amount in a difficult time."

" Remember too. Speak very well for them Gary thank you for your time congratulations. There was a pleasure Leo for your family to be there in your uncle for the Second World War as well. I -- recent -- thanks by telephone. In allies quite enough and."