Ex-Green Beret Scott Mann, a 23-year Army veteran, found himself struggling to readjust to civilian life after returning home from Afghanistan in 2013. The daily adrenaline rush of special forces work had left him feeling lost and guilty over the US leaving Afghan villagers behind. In a desperate moment, Mann’s young son discovered him with a pistol in hand, about to take his own life. This harrowing experience led Mann to realize he needed to find a way to process his wartime experiences.
Mann turned to his creative voice and wrote a play, “Last Out,” aimed at comforting veterans dealing with the aftermath of the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan. The play tells the story of Green Beret Danny Patton, based on Mann’s own experiences and those of his fallen comrades. Through Patton’s journey, the audience is taken on an immersive experience of modern war, both on the battlefield and the home front.
As the disastrous US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 left many veterans and allies emotionally scarred, Mann took action by creating the volunteer group “Task Force Pineapple” to rescue over 1,000 Afghan allies. Now, “Last Out” is set to be staged in New York, sponsored by the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, honoring fallen 9/11 first responders and Gold Star families.
The play serves as a tribute to the sacrifices and valor of military service members and their families, sparking important conversations around grief, sacrifice, and the lasting costs of war. Mann’s work continues to provide healing and support to those affected by the traumas of war.