“Civilians believe what the media tells them. And if Hollywood keeps telling the same broken story, that’s what people will believe.”
— Albert, Army Veteran
“It’s not like the movies. But for a lot of people — that’s all they’ve ever seen.”
— Justin, Veteran
what is rewrite the narrative
Rewrite the Narrative (RTN) is a national campaign, powered by Victory Bridge Foundation, to bridge the growing divide between the military and civilian world, combat mental health stigma, and expose dangerous disinformation targeting our veterans.
Through media reform, public engagement, and bold storytelling, we’re correcting false narratives about mental health, PTSD, service, and trauma—and replacing them with truth, empathy, and unity.
THE PROBLEM
America’s understanding of military service, trauma, and mental health is broken—and the consequences are real.
MISREPRESENTED BY MEDIA
Hollywood and headlines often portray veterans with PTSD as unstable, violent, or broken — fueling fear, stigma, and silence instead of support.
TARGETED BY PROPAGANDA
Medias’ misrepresentation of the military community, portraying those with mental health and/or PTSD as unstable or dangerous.
DIVIDED AT
HOME
Widespread misunderstanding of trauma and service has created cultural distance — keeping veterans feeling isolated, and stopping many from seeking help.
The reality
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Only 12% of Americans know someone who is serving. That means most civilians form their view of veterans from media, not real life. When the portrayal is negative, it creates distance, fear, and disconnect.
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Over 30% of media portrayals link veterans to violence or instability. Hollywood still relies on the “broken vet” trope — reinforcing fear, not truth.
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47% of post-9/11 veterans report difficulty reintegrating. That’s because systems, stories, and support are outdated or based on false assumptions. Families carry the weight without understanding, and communities stay disconnected. This is creating a generation of veterans who served their country, came home — and were culturally abandoned.
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44% of employers don’t believe veterans have the right experience — blocking opportunities before they begin. This leads to unemployment, underemployment, and financial instability, especially during reintegration.
Our Solution
Rewrite the Narrative is a first-of-its-kind national movement to reset how America understands veterans, trauma, and mental health — by changing the story at the source.
We work at the intersection of media, culture, and community — mobilizing veterans, creators, and partners to correct false narratives, fight disinformation, and replace stigma with strength. Our work builds toward the Golden Victor Awards, a nationally televised event honoring those leading this cultural shift.
This isn’t just a campaign — it’s a coordinated push to take back the truth and build a better future for those who served.
What Your Support Helps Fund
Safe, judgment-free spaces where veterans, first responders gather to speak truth, share healing, and build belonging. Peer connection reduces suicide risk and restores hope in all stages of development and healing.
Peer Groups
Funding and access to mental health care and alternative therapies for those who need more than traditional treatment.
Mental Health Access & Alternative Therapy
Trauma isolates. These programs rebuild family trust through guided sessions, retreats, and education – healing relationships between spouses, children, and caregivers. This heals generations.
Family Restoration & Reconnection Programs
We bridge the gap between veterans and employers by breaking stigma, educating companies, and connecting veterans to trade training, job opportunities, and career networks.
Vocational Training & Career Reintegration
Powerful, real-talk panels that bring veterans, first responders, and civilians face-to-face to break stigma, build understanding, and rewrite the narrative together.
Interactive Panels
Firefighters, Police, EMTs, dispatchers – we give them a space to unpack the weight they carry daily. We help departments implement long-term trauma-informed systems.
First Responder Wellness & Trauma Programs
From churches to firehouses to high schools – we equip communities to talk about PTSD, fight stigma, and become the village. These aren't pamphlets — they're action plans.
Community Toolkits & Forums
Training storytellers, journalists, and producers to stop the “damaged vet” trope. This culture-shaping work changes what America believes about trauma – and that changes lives.
Hollywood & Media Narrative Rewriting
Taking Back the Story
Our nation’s heroes have had their stories told about them for too long. It’s time we take the story back — and put it in the hands of those who’ve lived it.
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Chapter 1
The Golden Victor Awards is the powerful culmination of the Rewrite the Narrative campaign — a night that honors truth, resilience, and those rewriting the national story around PTSD and mental health.
This high-profile gala brings together a coalition of veterans, first responders, creators, filmmakers, corporate leaders, and policymakers — united across industries to break stigma, bridge the divide, and drive cultural change.
But this is just the beginning.
The energy of this night launches the next chapter — fueling new alliances, bold storytelling, and a movement that lives far beyond the spotlight.
The campaign doesn’t end here. It ignites here.