While in DC this evening premiering his new reality TV program and receiving the G.I. Spirit Award from the G.I. Film Festival, actor/director/producer Ricky Schroder dropped a bombshell on the audience - after 9/11, he tried to enlist in the Army, but they wouldn't take him.
During a moving and inspirational acceptance speech met by a standing ovation from the audience of veterans, current military personnel and their families, Schroder recounted his childhood memories of hearing stories from his Uncle Tiny, who fought in World War II and would mesmerize the young man with his tales of serving under General Patton, never glossing over the ugliness of war or the sacrifices made by those who fought with honor.
The former star of NYPD Blue said he developed a strong sense of respect and admiration during those hours listening to story after story from Uncle Tiny, as well as other uncles and his grandfathers who served in the military. Many of them enlisted on December 8, 1941, after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, and, when our generation's Pearl Harbor occurred on September 11, 2001, Schroder felt it was time for him to help the country he loves.
While sitting in bed watching the World Trade Center's North Tower collapse, Schroder said he knew exactly what he had to do. "I heard the calling," said Schroder, who immediately realized he wanted to serve his country like those before him. After a long discussion with his wife, who was pregnant with their fourth child, he met with an Army recruiter, expressed his desire to serve and learned about different assignments that he could receive. Unfortunately, Schroder was deemed physically unfit due to a longtime battle with Asthma. The actor, with an undeniable look of disappointment on his face, soon found he could serve in other ways.
Since then, Schroder has toured the world visiting troops abroad, and produced a new reality TV program, Starting Strong, which follows a new recruit's first days in the Army, then gives him or her a chance to make the decision to serve.
The GI Film Festival continues throughout the weekend. I'll have interviews with Schroder, actor Gary Sinise and more coverage from the festival this week on DC50TV.com, and NewsPlus airing the weekend of May 22.
The former star of NYPD Blue said he developed a strong sense of respect and admiration during those hours listening to story after story from Uncle Tiny, as well as other uncles and his grandfathers who served in the military. Many of them enlisted on December 8, 1941, after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, and, when our generation's Pearl Harbor occurred on September 11, 2001, Schroder felt it was time for him to help the country he loves.
While sitting in bed watching the World Trade Center's North Tower collapse, Schroder said he knew exactly what he had to do. "I heard the calling," said Schroder, who immediately realized he wanted to serve his country like those before him. After a long discussion with his wife, who was pregnant with their fourth child, he met with an Army recruiter, expressed his desire to serve and learned about different assignments that he could receive. Unfortunately, Schroder was deemed physically unfit due to a longtime battle with Asthma. The actor, with an undeniable look of disappointment on his face, soon found he could serve in other ways.
Since then, Schroder has toured the world visiting troops abroad, and produced a new reality TV program, Starting Strong, which follows a new recruit's first days in the Army, then gives him or her a chance to make the decision to serve.
The GI Film Festival continues throughout the weekend. I'll have interviews with Schroder, actor Gary Sinise and more coverage from the festival this week on DC50TV.com, and NewsPlus airing the weekend of May 22.
