When most people see Gary Sinise most recall of his character, Lt. Dan, in the movie “Forest Gump” as he played a wounded soldier. The movie star was in Guthrie giving back to a real life local American hero.
Sinise was in Guthrie to start a campaign that will build a new house of Army Staff Sergeant Rusty Dunagan and his family, whom are awaiting their fifth child.
Dunagan lost his left arm and both legs back on Sept. 22, 2010 during a tour in Afghanistan.
The Gary Sinise Foundation, along with The Wounded Warrior Foundation and John Vance Auto Group, helped team up to bring the famous GT-500 to Guthrie. The eye-catching car has been driven all over the country, including 46 states, in support of wounded hereos.
The High Five Tour mission is to raise funds to build two “smart homes” for Dunagan and SFC John Masson of Fayetteville, NC.
The Gary Sinise Foundation and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation say they cannot wait until Rusty is able to walk to the entrance of his Smart Home and they can hand over the keys.
“His sacrifices for his country and never ending optimism are truly inspiring. It is our hope that he finds this home a sanctuary where he can continue his process of healing, raise his children and enjoy the American dream.”
Rusty Dunagan’s story
In the wee morning hours of September 22, 2010, as the sun was making its ascent, a group of soldiers set out to do a routine patrol in Afghanistan. One soldier led the group, for he had been trained to secure areas of safety for his men, in this land unfamiliar to him. A soldier will tell you, he cannot afford to have a bad day, make a mistake, or entertain the smallest thought of fear, because for weeks, months and years, he has been trained to do these missions while serving the country.
Sgt. Rusty Dunagan is one of 23 surviving Triple Amputees from this recent war in Afghanistan.
Suddenly, in the cool of this morning, a bomb explodes. A soldier is thrown into a creek laden with raw sewage. He tries to stand up, but his efforts are in vain. He questions this. As he looks down, he makes a gruesome discovery. Just a few feet away from him on the embankment, is one of his legs.
Rusty Lee Dunagan originally of Guthrie, always knew he would join the military, but The above is a true account of Sgt. Rusty Dunagan, who, while performing a patrol in Afghanistan on Sept. 22, 2010, encountered an IED (improvised explosive device), losing both legs and his left arm; becoming one of 23 surviving Triple Amputees from this recent war.
One month after the incident, family attended the presentation of a purple heart awarded to Dunagan. Deplete of fanfare or a cheering crowd, or the tears of victory, a heart-shaped gold medal, hanging from a wide purple ribbon, was placed on Rusty’s chest in silence. Pride and sadness co-mingled. A soldier does not seek to be awarded this gold medal, as say, an Olympian. The receipt of a purple heart demands the greatest of sacrifice.
Since that day, he has overcome serious infections and endured over thirty surgeries. Rusty is a married father and stepfather. Angie his wife gave birth to their baby daughter, a few months before being deployed. Rusty was on his second overseas tour of duty when he was wounded.
Being asked more than once why he had such a positive attitude, Rusty’s reply was that, “I am grateful to be alive and God must have a reason for me to still be here. I know this will be a challenge but I plan on getting some prosthetic legs, get to walking and get back to my family.”
When was Sinise here? And what can we do to help?