United States Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld visited the sets of CSI: New York last Thursday to thank Gary Sinise (Mac Taylor) for his continuing support of US servicemembers.

"I've never seen Gary so excited," CSI: NY showrunner Anthony Zuiker told the American Forces Press Service, while the show's cast and crew gathered around Rumsfeld to shake hands and snap photos. Later, Rumsfeld and Sinise stepped into the actor's trailer for a private chat. "This man is such a patriot and loves his country so much," according to Zuiker.

When not working on New York, Sinise spends most of his time on charity work to boost the morale of US troops. Together with his Lt. Dan Band, he frequently tours army bases to entertain servicemen, or performs at charity events to raise money for army-related causes. One of these is Operation Iraqi Children, an organisation that Sinise founded together with Seabiscuit actor Laura Hillenbrand to collect and ship school supplies and toys to Iraq for distribution by American troops. According to Zuiker, the best gift to give Sinise for his birthday or other special events is always a check made out to Operation Iraqi Children.

To thank Sinise for his efforts, Rumsfeld presented the actor with a commemorative Pentagon paperweight and official secretary of defense coin -- a perfect gift for Sinise, who is apparently also an avid coin collector. Rumsfeld told the cast about "all the wonderful things this man has done for the men and women in uniform across the country," but also joked with Sinise about going to rival high schools in Chicago.

The Department of Defense has provided the following photos of Rumsfeld's visit to the CSI: New York set, along with the image shown above of Rumsfeld along with Zuiker, Sinise, Carmine Giovinazzo (Danny Messer) and Eddie Cahill (Det. Flack). All photos were taken by Tech. Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald, USAF.

Commenting on the visit, Sinise said he felt honored to be doing his part of help the troops. "They need us out there," he said. "We're blessed in this country to have an all-volunteer service, not a mandatory service. And I feel obligated to support them as they keep very, very busy on several fronts."

For the original report about Secretary Rumsfeld's visit, head over to the official Department of Defense site.

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