Coming Back With Wes Moore

COMING BACK WITH WES MOORE, a new three-episode series executive produced by best-selling author and U.S. army veteran Wes Moore, tells the story of his search for answers to some of the most difficult questions facing veterans returning from war. Moore’s journey, spurred by the suicide of one of his oldest friends and a fellow officer, takes him into the personal lives of different soldiers as they attempt to reintegrate into society, establish new identities and – for many – find a new mission. Each episode focuses on a different stage of coming home: “Coming Back” (May 13), “Fitting In” (May 20) and “Moving Forward” (May 27).

Courtesy of Stacy Pearsall

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Bobby Henline talks with his wife, Connie, and his two daughters. Bobby’s relationship with his family has been strained due to complications with his PTSD.

Courtesy of Mark Sobhani

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Bobby Henline, a victim of an IED in Iraq, is about to perform his comedy act at a local bar.

Courtesy of Mark Sobhani

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Star Lopez is reunited with her husband, Chris Phelan, and her daughter River, whom she hasn’t seen in person since she was a few months old.

Courtesy of Powderhouse Productions

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Wes Moore and Bonnie Collins reminisce about Wes’ friend and Bonnie’s son Brian who, like many veterans, took his own life.

Courtesy of Powderhouse Productions

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Brad Farnsley takes a course on preparing to transition out of the military while in a Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Knox, Ky.

Courtesy of Powderhouse Productions

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Aerial Combat Photographer Stacy Pearsall poses for a picture outside of her home unit, 1st Combat Camera at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.

Courtesy of Beth Caporaletti

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Andy Clark has his portrait taken by veteran Stacy Pearsall.

Courtesy of Stacy Pearsall

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Brian "Taylor" Urrruela has his portrait taken by veteran Stacy Pearsall.

Courtesy of Stacy Pearsall

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Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth has her portrait taken.

Courtesy of PBS

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Letrice Titus has her portrait taken by veteran Stacy Pearsall.

Courtesy of Stacy Pearsall

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Best-selling author and U.S. Army veteran Wes Moore has his portrait taken by veteran Stacy Pearsall.

Courtesy of Stacy Pearsall

“We want to better humanize re-integration by taking the audience into the lives of these men and women as they return from war,” said Moore, who is an Army combat veteran. “I want to make sure people understand these stories and who these people are who are coming back from combat.”

Over the course of three episodes, COMING BACK follows Moore into the lives of Army Sergeant Andy Clark of Denver, Colo.; Army Sergeant Bobby Henline of San Antonio, Texas; Army Reserve Staff Sergeant Letrice Titus of Syracuse, N.Y.; Army National Guard Sergeant Brad Farnsley of Fort Knox, Ky.; Earl Johnson of Baltimore, Md.; Air Force Staff Sergeant Stacy Pearsall of Charleston, S.C.; Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel and Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth of Schaumburg, Ill.; Army Sergeant Brian “Taylor” Urruela of Tampa, Fla.; and husband and wife Marine Sergeant Christopher Phelan and Air Force Captain Star Lopez of Los Angeles, Calif.

"Coming Back" airs Tuesday, May 13 at 8 p.m. - Wes’ journey begins with Bonnie Collins, the mother of Brian Collins, one of his oldest friends and a fellow officer. Last year, after getting married and beginning a new career, Brian abruptly took his own life. The questions surrounding this tragedy initiate Wes’ desire to learn more about why some can get on with their lives, while some cannot.

"Fitting In" airs Tuesday, May 20 at 8 p.m. - Wes explores the experience of coming back fundamentally changed by the experience of war, and the difficulty of fitting back in. Can you create a new life in your old world?

"Moving Forward" airs Tuesday, May 27 at 8 p.m. - The final episode explores the drive veterans often have of finding a new mission, to contribute, to be part of something bigger than themselves.

Major funding for COMING BACK WITH WES MOORE is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s (CPB) Diversity and Innovation Fund, which supports content that engages diverse viewers and encourages the use of emerging technologies to reach new audiences, and PBS.

COMING BACK WITH WES MOORE is a production of Powderhouse Productions and is executive produced by Joel Olicker. Molly Fowler also served as co-executive producer for Powerhouse Productions.

COMING BACK WITH WES MOORE is on Facebook.