Sep 03, 2008 - 04:05:36 CDT
When Spc. Curtis Mehrer got the chance to take a photo with actor Gary Sinise while serving in Afghanistan, he called his family about the exciting news.That photo, taken about a month before Mehrer was killed by a roadside bomb in June 2006, was presented to his family on Tuesday in Bismarck by Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., who had Sinise autograph it.
An emotional Joyce and Kevin Mehrer, accompanied by their son Alan Mehrer and his wife Amber Mehrer, accepted the photo.
"Knowing people still remember Curtis and remember other fallen soldiers," Joyce Mehrer said between tears. "It's an honor to have this photo with Gary and Curtis."
Sinise, best known for his role as the disabled veteran Lt. Dan in "Forrest Gump," was in Afghanistan as part of a United Service Organization tour when he had the photo taken with Curtis Mehrer.
Last Memorial Day, the Mehrer family traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, which brings families of fallen soldiers together.
While there, they ran into Sinise who was taking part in the Memorial Day services.
The family took a photo with Sinise, but it later turned out blurry, Joyce Mehrer said.
Pomeroy learned about the photo of Curtis Mehrer and Sinise and had the actor sign it for the family.
"I think this autograph says a lot about this movie star," Pomeroy said.
On the photo, Sinise wrote: "Curtis is an American hero. I am grateful and proud to have met him."
Sinise also reminisced about his encounter with Curtis Mehrer in a recent interview with American Veteran Magazine.
"I know that this was not the only time I have met someone, perhaps taken a picture with them and then something tragic has happened to them," Sinise told the magazine. "So you always have to remember when you go on these trips that even if you're with someone for a brief moment it means a lot."
(Reach reporter Brian Duggan at brian.duggan@bismarcktribune.com.)
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