Ex-Green Beret Scott Mann returned home from Afghanistan in 2013 and struggled with integrating back into civilian life, feeling lost and guilty. This feeling reached a breaking point when his son found him with a pistol, about to harm himself. In an effort to process his experiences and help other veterans in similar situations, Mann wrote a play called “Last Out,” which aims to provide comfort to veterans and their families. The play focuses on the challenges veterans face as they return home from war and the healing process they undergo.
“Last Out” tells the story of a fictional Green Beret named Danny Patton, who is stuck in limbo after being mortally wounded. Based on Mann’s own experiences and the stories of former comrades lost in the war, the play chronicles Danny’s life from his military service to his struggles to move on after his death. The show provides an immersive experience into modern war, both on the battlefield and on the home front, highlighting the challenges and trauma faced by veterans. Through storytelling, Mann found a way to process his own experiences and find hope and purpose in life once again.
Following the disastrous US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, Mann’s work with the play took on new significance. Thousands of veterans who had served in Afghanistan were experiencing emotional distress as they watched the country fall to the Taliban and saw allies left behind. Mann formed the volunteer group “Task Force Pineapple,” which helped rescue over 1,000 Afghan allies in the aftermath of the withdrawal. The play now serves as a tool for healing moral injury from war and recognizing the sacrifices made by veterans, military families, and Gold Star families.
“Last Out” is now being brought to New York City for a special performance sponsored by the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, which honors fallen 9/11 first responders and Gold Star families. The play pays tribute to the courage and sacrifice of military service members and their families, shedding light on the unspoken heroes of the nation. Through powerful storytelling, Mann and the foundation hope to provoke important conversations about grief, sacrifice, and the lasting impact of war. The performance aims to offer a new way for Gold Star families to discuss the service and sacrifices of their loved ones.
The Tunnels to Towers Chairman and CEO, Frank Siller, whose firefighter brother died on 9/11, believes that the play will inspire important conversations around the true costs of war. By highlighting the sacrifices made by military service members and their families, “Last Out” aims to provide a platform for healing, remembrance, and honoring those who have served. For those who may be affected by the issues raised in the play, resources such as the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are available for support and assistance. Through the power of storytelling and community support, Mann and his team continue their mission of healing and honoring the sacrifices of those who have served.
