LEXINGTON, Va. March 11, 2026 — The Center for Leadership and Ethics (CLE) at Virginia Military Institute will host a return performance of “11 Days: The Story of Operation Pineapple Express,” Monday, April 6, at 7 p.m. in Gillis Theater, Marshall Hall. The event is open to the public. 

Written and performed by retired U.S. Army Green Beret Lt. Col. Scott Mann, the gripping one-man, one-act stage production uses storytelling to explore the human cost, moral courage, and leadership displayed during the final days of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. Adapted from Mann’s New York Times bestselling book, “Operation Pineapple Express,” the play offers an emotional, firsthand look into the volunteer-led efforts that helped evacuate nearly 1,000 at-risk Afghan interpreters, commandos, and their families.  

Some scenes of the show contain strong language, intense emotional themes, and trauma-related material, which may not be suitable for children.   

Tickets will be available at the door, payable by cash or check only. Price of general admission is $10, and $5 for veterans and senior citizens. VMI cadets, faculty, and staff are admitted free with VMI ID. Reservations are not required. Immediately following the performance, the production team will hold a discussion with the audience. 

A teaser video of the play may be viewed online. 

For additional information about this event, related resources, or other upcoming programs hosted by the CLE, visit vmi.edu/cle. 

-VMI-