Gary Sinise nonprofit helps veteran amputee (actor, stuntman). Why Dickson is now home.

Nearly 17 years after Bryan Anderson’s life changed forever during the Iraq War, his parents were again by his side and he was surrounded by supporters inside the frame of his under-construction Dickson County home.

The rural residence in Cumberland Furnace was paid for through the Gary Sinise Foundation. Shortly after giving a short speech, Anderson looked down at his phone. Sinise, the actor known for a variety of roles – most famously “Lt. Dan” in “Forrest Gump” – had reached out.

“Gary texted me,” said Anderson, smiling.

Anderson, a retired Army sergeant, lost his legs and an arm from an improvised explosive device, or IED, while serving his second tour in Baghdad in October 2005. Despite life-altering injuries and 13 months of rigorous rehabilitation, Anderson told attendees at the unveiling event, “I really have nothing to complain about.”

“I have such an amazing life now that I couldn’t have even imagined having back before any of this had happened,” Anderson said. I feel blessed and grateful.”

I am ready to start my life here and have as much fun as I can,” he added.

Why Dickson County?

Anderson said he looked around Middle Tennessee for rural property for three years.

“I wanted the space,” Anderson said. “I have a public life and I am fine with that when I am doing things.”

But, when he’s home, Anderson said, he wanted to use the land for hunting, growing food, or just practice shooting. The proximity to Fort Campbell and Franklin, where Sinise and his foundation is moving this summer, were just added bonuses, Anderson said.

“I am going to say that Gary is moving because I am moving. Two Chicago boys going down to Tennessee,” Anderson said.

Related: Lt. Dan in the Volunteer State: Why Gary Sinise is moving his veteran-focused nonprofit to Tennessee

‘A great man’

During his speech to attendees, which also included homebuilder subcontractors and foundation staff, Anderson noted that he had been a part of the foundation since the beginning. He met Sinise a few years before the foundation was formed in 2010 while Anderson was doing rehab at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

The two worked together to get a bill passed in Congress for a disabled veterans memorial. Anderson also played with Sinise’s “Lt. Dan Band.”

Gary (Sinise) is a good man, a great man,” Anderson said.

The foundation, which supports active duty, veterans, first responders, and family in various ways, hosted the event at Anderson’s soon-to-be home.  The home is being built through the foundation's R.I.S.E. Program (Restoring Independence, Supporting Empowerment). Attendees wrote messages on the studs as part of the Walls of Honor ceremony.

“It actually took quite a bit of convincing for me to take a house,” Anderson said.

“You guys say there’s nothing you can do to repay what I’ve done,” Anderson added. “But I completely disagree with that. This is pretty good.”

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Gary Sinise helps veteran amputee Bryan Alexander with Dickson home