Dear Allen is an intimate documentary exploring the life, loss, and lasting impact of a veteran through the voice of his sister, Lauren Sisler. Told as a letter written after his death, the film reflects on who Allen was, the bond they shared, and the words left unspoken. Through memory, reflection, and quiet observation, the film examines how addiction and isolation ripple outward; affecting not only families, but the organizations and individuals working to bring veterans home.

The film unfolds as a personal address, Lauren speaking directly to Allen, woven through interviews, moments of stillness, and lived spaces that carry his absence. Rather than following a traditional chronological arc, Dear Allen moves emotionally: from shared memories and early connection, into distance and struggle, and ultimately toward grief, reflection, and unresolved love.

Intercut with Lauren’s perspective is the experience of Alabama Veteran, the organization actively working to support Allen in the final chapter of his life. Their story is not one of failure, but of proximity of what it means to care deeply, to show up, and to still lose someone just days before stability and shelter could be provided. Their reflections expand the film beyond one family, grounding it in the broader reality faced by those working on the front lines of veteran support.