How Gary Sinise is helping the nonprofit CreatiVets build ‘a place to go when the PTSD hits’

U.S. Marine veteran Richard Casper stood in disbelief, touching one of the boarded-up windows of the former church his nonprofit had just purchased in Nashville. The vandalism occurred mere weeks after his organization, CreatiVets, acquired the building to transform it into a 24-hour arts center for veterans.

The timing of the damage was particularly troubling. The church had stood empty since 2017 without incident, yet was targeted shortly after CreatiVets took ownership—raising concerns about whether veterans would be welcome in the neighborhood.

“I almost just left,” said Casper, 40, a Purple Heart recipient and CNN Heroes winner. “It put me in a weird headspace.”

Despite the setback, Casper remained committed to his vision: creating a sanctuary where veterans could turn to art when struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, especially during late-night hours when few constructive options exist.

“A place to go when the PTSD hits,” as Casper describes it. Having suffered a traumatic brain injury during his service in Iraq and witnessed the death of a close friend while on patrol, he understands firsthand how PTSD often manifests in the middle of the night, when the only available venues tend to be “destructive” environments like bars.

Casper’s personal journey led him to discover art’s healing power. After returning from Iraq, he found it difficult to be in public places—except when listening to live music. This insight became the foundation for CreatiVets, which since 2013 has helped hundreds of veterans process trauma through various artistic mediums including music, painting, sculpture, and theater.

After the vandalism incident, Casper practiced what he preaches to veterans in his program: he asked for help. The response was immediate and heartening. Within weeks, CreatiVets’ Art Director Tim Brown was guiding volunteers in creating new stained glass pieces to replace those that were destroyed.

“They want to give back to the organization, but also because of the impact that these activities have had on them,” Brown explained of the volunteers’ enthusiasm.

The project received a significant boost from actor, musician, and philanthropist Gary Sinise, who donated $1 million through his foundation to help CreatiVets purchase the building. Sinise’s involvement prompted two additional donors to contribute toward finalizing the acquisition.

“In the military, you’re trained to do serious work to protect our country,” said the “CSI: NY” star. “If you’re in the infantry, you’re being trained to kill. You’re being trained to contain any emotion and be strong.”

While essential in combat, these skills can become problematic when veterans return to civilian life without tools to process their experiences.

“Quite often, our veterans don’t want any help,” Sinise observed. “But through art – and with theater as well – acting out what they are going through can be very, very beneficial.”

David Booth, a retired Army master sergeant who served 20 years as a medic and counterintelligence agent, exemplifies the program’s impact. After years of declining invitations, Booth finally participated in CreatiVets’ songwriting program last September.

The 53-year-old Florida resident traveled to Nashville’s historic Grand Ole Opry where he collaborated with accomplished songwriters Brian White and Craig Campbell to create a song about his experiences. Booth shared his story of suffering a traumatic brain injury in Iraq in 2006 when his vehicle struck an IED, requiring months of rehabilitation before he could walk again.

“For me, this was more important than the last year and a half of counseling that I’ve gone through,” said Booth. “It has been so therapeutic.”

The resulting song, “What’s Next,” captures both his traumatic experiences and his desire to help others through Combat Veterans to Careers, the nonprofit he founded. CreatiVets has released compilations of veterans’ songs since 2020 in partnership with Big Machine Label Group, with this year’s collection released recently.

Sinise’s connection to veterans began with his Oscar-nominated role as Lt. Dan Taylor in “Forrest Gump” and deepened through his work with the Lt. Dan Band. In 2011, he established the Gary Sinise Foundation to serve veterans, first responders, and their families.

“I think citizens have a responsibility to take care of their defenders,” Sinise said. “There are opportunities out there for all of us to do that and one of the ways to do it is through multiple nonprofits that are out there.”

The performance space in the new CreatiVets center will be named the Mac Sinise Auditorium, honoring Gary’s son who died last year after a long battle with cancer. Mac was an accomplished artist and musician whose posthumously completed album benefits the Gary Sinise Foundation.

After the vandalism, Casper found inspiration in this dedication. He took fragments of the broken stained glass windows and created new artwork inspired by Mac Sinise’s music.

“I told you we’re going to go above and beyond to make sure everyone knows Mac lived,” Casper told Sinise as he presented stained glass panes inspired by Mac’s songs “Arctic Circles” and “Penguin Dance.” “Not that he died, but that he lived.”

Visibly moved, Sinise responded, “I’m honored that we’re going to have this place over there and that Mac is going to be supporting Richard and helping veterans.”