Actor Gary Sinise, who is famous for his role as Lt. Dan Taylor in "Forrest Gump," was honored Thursday at West Point for his role as an activist and advocate for war veterans.

Sinise received the Thayer Award from the West Point Association of Graduates. The award is given to an outstanding citizen whose service and accomplishments exemplify the motto "Duty, honor, country."

For more than three decades, Sinise visited troops in war zones, entertained them and formed his own foundation. His foundation raised funds and awareness for wounded veterans and those in active duty.

Sinise joins a long list of Thayer Award recipients, including presidents Eisenhower and Reagan, Colin Powell, Henry Kissenger and Walter Cronkite.