Great American Media Reflects on September 11 with the Gary Sinise Foundation

"As we reflect on the 9/11 anniversary, I'm humbled by the selfless courage of first responders who ran toward danger to save others."

NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks approaches, Great American Media pauses to honor and remember the 2,997 lives lost, the more than 6,000 injured, and the countless others forever impacted in the years that followed. Great American Media reflects with deep gratitude on the extraordinary bravery of the NYPD, FDNY, and everyday Americans who rose to the occasion, risking everything to serve, protect, and heal in the wake of unimaginable tragedy.

Bill Abbott, CEO of Great American Media, will be joined by Gary Sinise, Actor, Humanitarian, and Founder of the Gary Sinise Foundation, in a special featured interview, "Exclusive Conversations" on Great American Pure Flix, to discuss the impact of 9/11, the work Sinise is doing for the active-duty, first responder, and veteran communities. Their interview will be available on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, on Great American Pure Flix.

In the interview, you can hear Sinise recount how getting to know his brothers-in-law, who fought in Vietnam while Sinise was still in high school, impacted his heart for the military community; what inspired his support for veterans in the Chicago area in the 1980s; and what informed his legendary performance as wounded Vietnam War veteran Lt. Dan in the Academy Award-winning film Forrest Gump. He'll also discuss a personal turning point following 9/11, when he toured hospitals for service members wounded in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan – and realized how "just showing up" can have a profound impact.

"Every year, as the anniversary of September 11th approaches, I am deeply moved by the selfless courage of the first responders who ran toward danger, many sacrificing their lives in a heroic effort to save others. Their bravery, along with the determination of thousands of men and women who stood up in the days, months, and years that followed, reminds us of the very best of America: a nation united in the face of tragedy, committed to defending our values, our freedoms, and one another," said Bill Abbott, President and CEO, Great American Media.

"Even now, 24 years later, I continue to hear stories of quiet heroism that inspire and humble me. Stories like the Great Boat Lift, when nearly 500,000 people were evacuated from Manhattan in just nine hours by a spontaneous flotilla of ferries, tugboats, and private vessels. Or the remarkable tale of Roselle, the seeing eye dog who calmly led her blind owner, Michael Hingson, down 78 floors of Tower One and then through the chaos of the streets to safety. These are not just stories of survival; they are stories of American exceptionalism, compassion, and resolve in the face of darkness," he continued.

"In the wake of 9/11, 'Never Forget' was a heartfelt vow, resonating deeply across the nation. Now, over two decades later, it risks fading into a hollow phrase. At Great American Media, we are devoted to preserving the stories of that day, ensuring future generations remember, unite, and are inspired to protect our cherished American freedoms. Through our content, we honor faith, family, and country – the enduring values that sustained us through 9/11 and continue to define our nation's spirit," Abbott concluded.

About Bill Abbott
Bill Abbott is President and Chief Executive Officer of Great American Media, home to the portfolio of family-friendly brands, including linear TV networks, Great American Family and Great American Faith & Living; streaming service Great American Pure Flix, and two FAST channels, Great American Adventures and Pure Flix. Great American Family is the company's flagship network and features original holiday movies, rom-coms, and classic series celebrating faith, family, and country.  Over the past 12 months, the network has been the fastest-growing channel on TV.
A veteran in the television industry with over 30 years of experience, Abbott previously served as president & CEO of Crown Media Family Networks, the parent company of Hallmark Channel.

About Great American Media & Great American Pure Flix Premium
Great American Media is home to a family-friendly portfolio of brands, including Great American Family, Great American Pure Flix and Great American Faith & Living. As the flagship linear TV network, Great American Family features original Christmas movies, rom-coms and classic series that celebrate faith, family and country. Great American Pure Flix is a leading faith and family streaming service that inspires, uplifts and entertains with content that you can confidently stream with the entire family. Other platforms include Great American Faith & Living, the unscripted companion to Great American Family that celebrates faith, family, and country every day and every season; Great American Adventures and Pure Flix TV, FAST channels (free ad-supporting streaming TV). Great American Media was established in June 2021 by Bill Abbott and a group of U.S.-based family offices.

Great American Pure Flix is your streaming home to the best in quality faith and family entertainment. Through a 2023 merger, Great American Pure Flix became the streaming service of Great American Media, the leading provider of wholesome, family-friendly, and inspiring movies and programs. Add the best from Pure Flix in faith and inspirational content, and you get a streaming service unlike any other.

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SOURCE Great American Media