Sinise in Naperville to praise Operation Support Our Troops

Actor Gary Sinise spoke briefly and then met with military families and others Monday in Naperville as Operation Support Our Troops - America held a rally to launch its ticket-selling campaign for the annual Rockin' For the Troops concert to be held July 18 at Cantigny Park in Wheaton.

The 10th annual concert will feature Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band as well as a Motown tribute band called The Voices, a rock cover band called Maggie Speaks and the Chicago Blues All-Stars.

Tickets for the all-day event are available for $25 at participating Jewel-Osco stores. Each ticket can pay for the cost of shipping a comfort package to a U.S. service member serving in harm's way or can help fund other programs that include:

• helping support Families of the Fallen;

• research and implementation of new treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury;

• and support for veterans returning to the workforce.

The concerts have raised more than $3 million to support members of the military and veterans through the organization founded by a Naperville mom, Deborah Rickert, who still serves as president of the group.

Sinise praised the organization's efforts to help our troops.

"The people stepping up and doing what we can to ensure our defenders stay strong and their families get through these tough times, I think that is a way we can all serve," he said.

Sinise and Rickert greeted supporters at the Hollywood Palms Cinema, which also offered a special screening of "Forrest Gump," the movie in which Sinise played Lt. Dan.

For more details about the concert, visit www.osotamerica.org.