April 11^th, 2005
For Immediate Release

Contact
Contact:Shauna Fleming, Student
(714) 282-9415 Email: SFleming@AMillionThanks.org
Kate Harris, Publicist, Doubleday Brooks
(212) 782-9798

Sixteen year old, Shauna Fleming knew being the spokesperson for something like National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM) would be exciting, but she never dreamed actor, Gary Sinise would be part of it.

The actor recently contacted the teen’s father after finding out Shauna had collected and distributed more than one million thank you letters, cards and emails to U.S. troops stationed all over the globe, and that she wanted to meet him someday. Her campaign is called, “A MillionThanks.org”

Sinise decided he wanted to surprise her. Not knowing where CSI is filmed, Shauna thought she was doing a television interview to discuss the upcoming National Military Appreciation Month, which begins May 1st. As she arrived at the sound stage, Sinise walked up to her, which caught the teen off guard.

“I looked up and he said, “hi Shauna,” and I thought I was going to fall over,” said Fleming. “I have wanted to meet him because I remember early last year when I began my campaign, he contacted me offering help with delivering the mail through his Operation Iraqi Children campaign. That meant so much to me for such a big star to do that,” Fleming added.

The rest of the day, Shauna and her family watched Sinise film some of his hit show. They also spent time in his trailer talking about how both campaigns are so important to the morale of the troops in Iraq.

“I was so impressed for a person her age to take on such a huge project and make such a difference in the lives of the men and women serving our country,” said Sinise, who spends much of his off time doing appearances with the USO or having his band do concerts at military bases. “Shauna and I have a lot in common, we both believe that our military don’t receive enough credit for the work they do, and I will do everything I can to help her promote NMAM,” the actor added.

Sinise said he will be leaving for Europe in May to do concerts at military bases with his, “Lt. Dan Band.” Fleming will be doing a lot of traveling too as NMAM spokesperson. Later this month she is doing television and radio interviews in New York, and then she will be heading over to the press kick off of the McDonald’s Sea and Air Show in Florida. On May 1st, she is being featured in the opening ceremonies of the NASCAR Nextel Cup race at the Talladega Super Speedway. The pre-race show will focus on military appreciation and will be highlighted with a military aircraft show.

The teen has chronicled her letter campaign in a book called, A MILLION THANKS, which will be released April 19th through Double Day Books.