[Roguish Lawyer]

Originally posted by Doc
Great article!

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't Dennis Franz assigned to a LRRP unit in the RVN for a tour?

Did some googling. Some articles say airborne, some say recon. No details. But here's one of interest:

http://www.nypdblue.org/news/news_mar03.html#3

Later, Franz graduated from Southern Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in speech and theater. His dreams of acting temporarily were put on hold by the Vietnam War, in which he did an 11-month tour of duty. His military background is probably why of all the awards he has won Franz puts at the top of the list being named Veteran of the Year for 2002 by the Academy of American Veterans Awards. (He boasts four Emmys, two Screen Actors' Guild awards, and a Golden Globe among his acting awards.)

``It's always wonderful to be recognized for your work,'' Franz said, ``But this was not about work. It about being a part of my country. I'm very proud to be associated with all the great men and women in the service.''


. . .


One thing is certain. ``NYPD Blue'' hasn't reached that point yet. One reason audiences keep coming back is the series manages to remain topical.

That was never more evident than the first episode of the 2001-02 season. Airing less than two months after the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks on the World Trade Center, the episode featured a poignant scene in which Sipowicz somberly gazes on the spot where the twin towers once stood.

It's a moment Franz vividly remembers, and he said it makes it difficult for him to understand the protests against war with Iraq.

``Have these people (protesters) forgotten what happen on Sept. 11?'' Franz wondered. ``Don't they remember all those people -- the women, the children -- on those planes who were nondeserving of having their lives taken from them?

``Freedom -- the same freedom that allows them to protest -- doesn't come easy. There are times when you have to stand up and prove yourself to the rest of the world, that we will defend our way of life.

``I back our president all the way. Let's face it -- there are just some evil people in the world and they have to be dealt with.''