Gary Sinise Hopes New Documentary Inspires Veterans: “You Can Move On and Live a Happy Life” (Exclusive).Viet

Gary Sinise’s New Documentary Aims to Inspire Veterans: “You Can Move On and Live a Happy Life”

Gary Sinise is bringing powerful veteran stories to the big screen with Brothers After War, a documentary that highlights the challenges and resilience of service members returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Executive produced by Sinise and directed by filmmaker Jake Rademacher, the film serves as a sequel to Brothers at War (2009), in which Rademacher followed his two brothers into combat in Iraq. This time, the focus shifts to what happens after deployment—exploring the struggles, healing, and reintegration of veterans into civilian life.

To ensure veterans, first responders, and their families can access the film, the Gary Sinise Foundation has donated $150,000 in movie tickets for free screenings.

A Personal Journey Through War and Healing

When Jake Rademacher first approached his brother Joe—an Army Ranger sniper—about documenting his 2005 deployment, skepticism was high. “He didn’t get it, but he went along with it because he’s my brother,” Rademacher recalls.

At the premiere of Brothers at War in 2009, Joe was initially nervous about how his story would be received. However, the audience’s standing ovation made him realize that his experience was not being judged but acknowledged. That realization inspired Rademacher to continue sharing veterans’ stories, ultimately leading to Brothers After War.

This time, Joe fully embraced the project, sharing deeply personal experiences. One of the most emotional moments in the film comes when he reveals a dark period after returning home when he contemplated taking his own life. His openness underscores a harsh reality—more than 6,000 veterans die by suicide each year, with rates double the national average.

“His story is at the heart of this film,” Rademacher says of his brother, who is now married with five children and working as a banker. “By opening up about something he had never shared before, he’s helping other veterans see that it’s okay to be vulnerable. Talking about your experiences is the first step to healing.”

Gary Sinise’s Mission to Support Veterans

Sinise, who has been deeply involved in veteran outreach for years, was drawn to Brothers at War because of its honest portrayal of military family life. When Rademacher began work on Brothers After War, Sinise knew it was a story that needed to be told.

The film delivers a crucial message: “You can process your war years, but they don’t have to define you,” Sinise explains. “You can move forward. You can build a happy life.”

This theme resonates deeply with Sinise, who found inspiration through his iconic role as Lt. Dan Taylor in Forrest Gump. The character, a Vietnam veteran who faced immense hardship but ultimately found peace, became a defining part of Sinise’s own advocacy work.

“The story of Lt. Dan is very positive, and I’ve carried that message with me ever since playing the role,” he says. In 2011, he founded the Gary Sinise Foundation, which has supported countless veterans through housing, financial assistance, and rehabilitation programs. The Foundation has also sponsored screenings and discussion workshops around Brothers at War and Brothers After War to help veterans share their own journeys.

“We want every veteran to find the peace that Lt. Dan did,” Sinise says. “This film is another way to show them that they’re not alone—that they can heal, move forward, and live fulfilling lives.”

Where to Watch

Brothers After War is now playing in select theaters nationwide. Through the Gary Sinise Foundation’s donation, veterans, first responders, and their families can see the film for free, furthering its mission to foster healing, understanding, and hope for those who have served.