Christian Brunetti is an Army Special Operations veteran with multiple combat deployments. He transitioned his military career to film, and most recently served as a character in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf and as a technical advisor on The Terminal List: True Believer.

I was fortunate enough to know Chris Cathers. His life reads like a The Terminal List novel — a former special operator diagnosed with terminal cancer who dedicated his life to stopping a crisis that is killing his brothers and sisters at an alarming rate.

In Cathers’ case, that crisis was veteran suicide.

I connected with Cathers during one of his galas for BKVF, the nonprofit he started to help veterans struggling with suicide. He was one of my biggest supporters — and one of my first calls when I got officially brought on for The Terminal List: True Believer.

Knowing my schedule would be packed and that I would most likely miss the gala this year, Cathers sent me that message.

He had no motive outside of coming to support his brother. He was adamant he didn’t want to cause any trouble, and even if he never got to go to set, he’d just love to see me.

He also mentioned again his appreciation for the show — for the way Jack Carr shares his experiences as a special operator in a way so many of us connect with — and the dedication the show has toward getting it right.

I spoke with showrunner David DiGilio, explained the situation, and told him I’d love to find a good time for Chris to visit.

Without hesitation, Dave said, “He has to come out for the finale! This show is exactly for men like him. Please invite him out!”

When I called Chris and broke the news to him, he was speechless for a second or two.

It may seem like such a simple thing, but being able to call him and tell him about Dave’s response — Cathers was actually speechless.

Fast forward — Cathers was on set with me all week.

It was amazing to watch. He bonded immediately with the operators on our team and in the show itself. He talked to everyone he met — from the background actors to the stunt team to the grips and camera department.

You name it.

I could tell he was truly in heaven.

And to see his story shared among the cast and crew — the looks on people’s faces when they found out he was, I think, six years into a fight with cancer that was already supposed to kill him — and yet he was a constant source of positivity.

As fate would have it, that week was also one of the busiest of the shoot.

The final day of filming was extremely long and complicated. A storm was coming in, and we were all spent.

The week had been perfect except for one thing — Cathers hadn’t had a chance to meet James Reece, Chris Pratt.

We were finishing filming on one set, and Cathers and I raced over to the set Chris was on.

It’s hard to truly verbalize how much work goes into this show and the toll it takes on our actors. They devote so much time and energy into every scene, and the finale was one of the most challenging scenes we shot.

I could tell Chris was exhausted. But I’ve come to truly love and appreciate him as a person, and I knew this was a chance he wouldn’t want to miss.

“Chris, I’d love to take a quick second to introduce you to my buddy Chris Cathers — Green Beret, fighting stage 4 cancer, and tireless advocate for veterans’ mental health.”

“Oh man, I’d love to meet him.”

Instantly, the exhaustion disappeared behind a genuine smile.

I stepped back and let them talk.

The instant connection between the two spoke volumes. Both men represent the best their fields have to offer. Both see what they do as a vehicle to serve and help others. Both have an incredible passion for our veteran community.

At the end of the conversation, Chris could sense that Cathers probably wanted a picture but didn’t want to ask for one.

“Hey, do you want to take a selfie?”

Cathers froze for a second.

I could tell he was thinking about his promise not to take pictures because he didn’t want to get me in trouble.

So instead, he replied —

“Nah, man. I’m good.”

Pratt just smiled, gave him a hug, and they said their goodbyes.

I was dying laughing at what had just happened — so much so that I didn’t even get a chance to tell him it was okay to take the picture.

We laughed about it the entire ride home. He was kicking himself for not getting it.

Well, one of the many things I love about The Terminal List is the work they do supporting nonprofits.

They extended the invitation to Chris Cathers and the BKVF team.

At the premiere, Cathers finally got his picture.

By his own admission, the visit to set and the gala were some of the highlights of his life. He was so grateful and humbled by the support.

I was fortunate enough to get a front-row seat to something special.

Small moments where no one is watching. No cameras. No crowd to perform for.

Our entire cast and crew shared their time and love for the show with Cathers, and he shared his story with them.

Exhausted and carrying the weight of an entire series on his shoulders, Chris still took the time to connect one-on-one with Cathers and show him how much his mission mattered and how incredible his story truly was.

And it all started with Jack Carr — another incredible man who never asks for recognition but is constantly giving back to the veteran community and its supporters.

And Cathers — a man who would choose watching out for his brother over getting a selfie with one of his favorite actors.

Chris Cathers was many things.

But the title that means the most to me is this:

He was my friend.

He brought joy into every room he stepped into.

Even while battling stage-four bone cancer, Chris worked tirelessly to ensure veterans never fight alone.

His impact lives on through Brothers Keeper Veteran Foundation and the lives it continues to change.

If you’re moved by his story, please consider supporting BKVF. Your support helps continue the mission that Chris started.

Love you, brother.

We got it from here.

’Til Valhalla.