story

KENNY MULLINAX must leave behind his pregnant wife, TIFFANY, along with their 6-year-old son, BO, when he gets deployed to Afghanistan. He fights alongside his closest friends, DERRICK and MARTRELL, of the 10th Mountain Division, to clear and secure the mountain of Kohe Mondi from the Taliban. Kenny is determined to plant the American flag at the summit, but he steps on an IED and it detonates. 

Months later, Kenny, now a double amputee, struggles to motivate himself in physical therapy. His helpless attitude puts enormous strain on his marriage to Tiffany, as she must care for not only their sons, but Kenny as well. Kenny and Tiffany attend a Veterans’ Day service at the church. They meet a sharp young marine, JAKE, who seems a little too friendly with Tiffany. Kenny gets jealous, adding even more strain to their marriage.

When Tiffany has finally had enough of Kenny’s needy attitude and self-pity, she gives him an ultimatum: shape up and take control of your life, or it’s over. Kenny attends a veteran support group meeting and reunites with Martrell. DR. PHILLIPS suggests that Kenny should work towards a goal, which gives him the idea to return to Afghanistan, ascend Kohe Mondi to complete the mission he never finished, and plant the flag. Martrell, despite his reservations, eventually agrees. They reconnect with Derrick, who is struggling with severe PTSD and on the verge of suicide, but, like Kenny, wants to regain his sense of purpose. Tiffany hates the idea, so she makes Kenny promise to attend marriage counseling if he returns safely.  

Kenny seeks advice from BUD HART, a triple amputee who, with the help of some of his platoon mates, climbed Mt. Hood. Bud advises Kenny against doing the climb, but reluctantly agrees to provide camping equipment and a specialized harness for Derrick to carry Kenny on his back for the climb. With renewed enthusiasm and effort, both Kenny and Derrick regain significant strength through a rigorous training program at the physical therapy gym. Dr. Phillips gets the group approved for a new program for veterans to visit active bases as a morale booster for troops. Once there, they plan to sneak away for their mission on the mountain. While still stateside, they take a training hike on Blood Mountain in Georgia that seriously tests the friends’ camaraderie and abilities, but they make adjustments to their tactics and persevere.  

The group finally makes the trip to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, where they receive a warm welcome. They work out a plan with their old platoon mate PETEY for how they’ll sneak away from the commanding officer, COLONEL FRANKS, who is strict and unforgiving. After Petey organizes a sufficient distraction, they make their way with the help of soldiers JOHANSEN and MARTIN to the mountain, where they meet with a pitiful group of Afghan guides. However, the plan goes south when, back at the base, Col. Franks discovers the plot and threatens Petey with a court-martial if he gives the group any more assistance. The Afghan guides steal some gear and ditch Kenny and the others with little food or water in the terrible heat.  

Despite the obstacles, Kenny’s friends promise to support him and see their goal through. When Martrell injures his ankle and can’t go on, Derrick soldiers on with Kenny strapped to his back. Their mission particularly seems doomed to fail when hostile Taliban soldiers attack them before they reach the summit. Petey risks his military career and sends two rescue helicopters, which arrive and save the men. One of the rescue team members picks Kenny up and Kenny struggles to get away from him so he can finish the mission. Kenny finally realizes it is no use and he allows the soldier to put him in the helicopter. As they start to fly away, Kenny loses his grip on the flag and it flies out of the helicopter. It gets caught on a small tree at the summit and flaps in the wind. Kenny makes peace that he and his friends are safe and the flag is planted. Kenny returns home to mend his relationship with Tiffany. Surrounded by his friends, family and platoon mates, he accepts himself as he is and is now the father, husband and man he knows he can be.