The Invisible Ones: Homeless Combat Veterans

“The Invisible Ones: Homeless Combat Veterans” Documentary  – A multi-award-winning documentary about Homeless Veterans, why they are sleeping on the streets and under freeway bridges, and what we can do to help them. 

      • Featuring: Congresswoman Susan Davis, Dave “The Water Man” Ross, Al Pavich
      • Directors: Mark Schulze
      • Studio: New & Unique Videos
      • DVD Release Date: 2008
      • Run Time: 40 minutes
      • IMDb

Platinum Ava Award

Gold Aurora Award

Accolade Award of Merit

Gold Hermes Award

Communitas Award

Telly Award

Buffalo Niagara Film Festival Selection

Riverside Film Festival Selection

Big Bear International Film Festival Selection

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The Invisible Ones: Homeless Veterans Now Streaming at Red Coral Universe

The Invisible Ones: Homeless Combat Veterans is available to view for free at streaming platform Red Coral Universe.

San Diego Stand Down

Mark Schulze and Patty Mooney, of Crystal Pyramid Productions, a San Diego video production company, shot footage at the 20th anniversary of Stand Down in 2007 for the Veterans Administration (VA).  Stand Down is a three-day event that allows homeless veterans to come in off the streets for a shower, hot meals and a change of clothing.  Additionally, the veterans receive medical, dental and holistic treatment, as well as counseling and legal advice from caring volunteers.  The San Diego Stand Down became the model for dozens of other Stand Downs that have been generated across the country by people who thought it a tragedy to have our war heroes sleeping on our streets.

How Can We Help Homeless Veterans?

Schulze and Mooney were shocked to learn of the huge number of homeless veterans in the U.S.  After spending two days interviewing and getting to know some of the men and women who had served our country, some without limbs, and all without homes, Mooney broke down in tears.  “Three days of reprieve from the streets and now they have to go back out there.  We have to do something for them!” Schulze said, “Why don’t we do what we do best?  Let’s make a documentary.”

the invisible ones homeless combat veterans video

Stepping Up For Homeless Veterans

It took a year for the couple to make “The Invisible Ones: Homeless Combat Veterans.”  They interviewed Congressman Bob Filner, Chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee; Congresswoman Susan Davis, Chair of the Military Personnel Committee; Gary Becks, Director of Rescue Task Force; Dr. Jon Nachison, Co-Founder of San Diego Stand Down; Al Pavich, Former Commander and Retired CEO of VVSD (Veterans Village of San Diego); Darcy Pavich, Chaplain and Stand Down Coordinator; Brigadier General Bob Cardenas; Robert Schmidt, Director of Vince Lombardi Association; Jessica Brian and Michael Kilmer, Veterans Administration Outreach Therapists, and several homeless veterans.

All contributions to this documentary have been pro bono, even down to the music, box cover graphics, website creation and DVD replication.  Mooney edited at night and on weekends, grappling with technical difficulties, and whenever she thought of quitting, she remembered, “there are veterans who are homeless tonight and we have to help them.”

The documentary has won several national awards: a Platinum Ava, a Gold Aurora, an Accolade Award of Merit, a Gold Hermes Award and a Telly Award, in recognition of its contribution to profound social change.  It was also featured at the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival in May 2009.

The Invisible Ones:

Homeless Combat Veterans

PRESS

OB Rag Review

How many times have you passed up a sleeping figure underneath a blanket or tarp on the darkened streets of your city? Have you ever considered that this could be one of our war heroes?

This question entered my consciousness in the summer of 2007. As partners of a video production company called Crystal Pyramid Productions, my husband, Mark Schulze, and I received a call from the Veterans Administration to document the 20th Annual Stand Down in San Diego, CA.

“Stand Down,” we wondered. “What’s that?” We learned that in military parlance, a stand down is when a soldier steps away from combat operations and experiences a momentary rest and relaxation prior to heading back into the fray. Its definition has been extended to name an event which addresses the plight of homeless veterans on the streets of America.

The San Diego Stand Down sustains homeless veterans for three days with hot meals, cots, showers, shaves and haircuts, plus a change of clothing. The veterans can receive medical, dental and holistic treatments, as well as counseling and legal advice from caring volunteers—all in one location. They enjoy camaraderie with fellow veterans and best of all, they don’t have to worry about the “combat” that takes place daily out on the streets.

Robert Van Keuren and Dr. Jon Nachison are the two Vietnam veterans who founded this event. Van Keuren explains in his Stand Down Manual that “Stand Down is a belief in the triumph of the human spirit over extraordinary odds. It grows out of a conviction that the overwhelming number of homeless veterans is unacceptable, and that the veteran community itself must respond. Stand Down is designed to transform the despair and immobility of homelessness into the momentum necessary to get into recovery, resolve legal issues, seek employment, access health services and benefits, reconnect with the community and get off the streets—a very tall order for a three-day event.”

These men opened our eyes to the harsh reality that we have far more homeless veterans sleeping on our streets than most Americans know about. Homeless vets make up about 25 percent, and probably more, of the total homeless population. Dr. Nachison said that the figure of 200,000 across the nation is “the statistic now bandied about,” but he thought it was much too conservative a figure, since homeless veterans are difficult to count. He emphasized that he and Van Keuren had devised Stand Down because they “wanted to send a message to the nation that to have 25 percent of the homeless [as] veterans was a national disgrace.”

Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD) has been producing Stand Down for 21 years. Al Pavich, CEO Emeritus of VVSD and a former Naval Commander who served three deployments in Vietnam, explained that “combat really changes a person. Sometimes our soldiers have a very hard time reentering society, and they end up on the streets. VVSD is working to catch them before they become completely dysfunctional. Stand Down is only a three-day event. These people need more time in a program like what we have going at VVSD, and that’s going to take more funding. We’re building a new addition at our facility, so we’ll soon have 250 beds, but that’s still a drop in the bucket compared to how many vets we have out there who are ready to make a change and commit to that change.”

Several of the homeless veterans related what life was like for them on the streets. One couple, whom we will call Rose and Edward, stand out in my mind. They had both served in the military and were married for about a year. Rose was shy about speaking to us, but Edward related several jolting stories. For example, one night they awoke with a burning sensation and realized that someone had lit their blanket on fire. Another time, they were both awakened by someone kicking them as they were sleeping. And it was typical for passersby to shout at them, “Get a job, you bums!”

“That really hurts our feelings,” said Rose. “We want to find work. And we served our country. Shouldn’t that count for something?”

It occurred to me that after the three days of relative “luxury” at Stand Down, 715 participants would have to go right back to the streets. On our way home from the shoot, I cried for these men and women who had served their country, many of whom now suffer with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and now seemed to be invisible to most Americans. Some of them, according to Pavich, were war heroes who had earned Gold Stars, Purple Hearts and Awards of Valor.

The question was: What could we do to help them? Mark responded, “Well, we could do what we do best—and that’s video. We could make a documentary about this issue.”

And so we did. For the next year, we videotaped interviews and events focusing on this national tragedy, and we called it The Invisible Ones: Homeless Combat Veterans. We approached California Congressman Bob Filner, Chair of the Veterans Committee, and Congresswoman Susan Davis, Chair of the Military Personnel Committee. We spoke to Gary Becks, Director of Rescue Task Force, and Brigadier General Bob Cardenas, who had tested the Flying Wing back in the 1940s. We also spoke to several homeless veterans in an attempt to understand their situation. How do these veterans become homeless? What is it like to be homeless? What are people doing to assist homeless veterans?
We found out that most of the veterans on the streets have emerged from the Vietnam and Gulf War eras, although it is not unusual to see vets from the Korean War and even World War II. Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are now trickling onto the streets. Phil Landis, current CEO of VVSD, believes that the trickle will soon become a flood if we don’t put more energy into solving this problem.

“To have our war heroes sleeping out there on the streets—it’s unconscionable,” said Dave “The Water Man” Ross, a San Diegan in his 70s and a Korean War veteran who has been passing water out to the homeless out of his own social security check for over four years. We interviewed The Water Man onsite in an inner city neighborhood in San Diego. The backdrop consisted of homeless people with shopping carts who were camped out on tarps, blankets and newspapers in front of a fenced-in dirt lot.

“Did you know that there is not one water fountain or porta-potty in a 40-block radius?” he asked. “These people are invisible.”

I remembered growing up as a teen in Detroit, and then as a young woman in San Francisco. I had passed plenty of hulking figures and outstretched arms, not really understanding how they had arrived there, what I could do to be of assistance, or why it was even necessary for me to try and help. The scales fell from my eyes, so to speak, and I was ready to show my fellow Americans what is happening on the streets of our nation.

Mark and I decided to donate copies of The Invisible Ones to citizens and concerned organizations that will show the film and help raise funds to assist homeless veterans. If possible, we only request $4 to help us with shipping.

We attended the 2008 Stand Down and delivered a DVD of our documentary to Chaplain Darcy Pavich, Stand Down Coordinator. Her eyes glistened with tears as she said, “Do you know how many video crews have come and gone over the last 20 years, promising to send us their pieces? You are the first who did what you said you would do. You walk the walk.”

Homeless veterans are sleeping on our streets tonight, and we all have to help them. We Americans, who value our freedoms, who realize what sacrifices our service members have made, and who truly wish to help, can make a difference—starting right now.

Congressman Duncan Hunter

This is an excellent video that highlights an increasingly unfortunate situation among our nation’s veterans and their families, especially in the San Diego community. Like you, I am extremely concerned with all veterans that are homeless. As a veteran myself of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, I wholeheartedly believe our veterans must remain a top priority in Congress. Especially during this difficult time in our economy, unemployment rates among our nation’s veterans are significantly higher than the national average. We have a responsibility as a community to ensure that our veterans receive the care and attention they need to assist them after their service to our nation.

 

Professor Karen G

I want to thank you again for making this film. I showed it to my Justice Studies students and they referenced it all semester long. A group of students even went down to the shelter and volunteered…and encouraged the whole class to do the same thing.

Kate W

As the Clinical Coordinator of Veteran’s Village of San Diego, I work with returning vets who need counseling. I am passionate about helping these people. I have found my work here to be very rewarding, the staff and clients very dedicated towards making positive change. Though it is difficult to witness the tragedy that our wars have had on these individuals, especially those returning from the current wars with so much damage, it is so gratifying when they can move on towards a healthier, happier life. I am inviting you to attend the showing at First Church of a very moving documentary, “The Invisible Ones,” describing the terrible plight of these individuals. I know that you, as an activist, will be touched.

Hillary W

I’d like to request a copy of “The Invisible Ones” to show in my Veterans Law course at the University. We will have a unit on homeless veterans, and it looks like your documentary would help them understand the plight of homeless veterans on a much more profound level.

Dick M

Thank you so much for the copy of “The Invisible Ones.” I have reviewed it. What a gift to be able to be the voice for so many who often through no fault of their own have no voice.

PSD

My hat goes off to you for the work you do, and to you and all the rest of those who shine light on the sorry situation that too often confronts our veterans upon their return.

Lane T

Having spent four years studying film and tv, I really appreciated the documentary – I know how much work and planning goes into it from personal experience, and I know it isn’t easy when the subject is so difficult to bear.

Debbie G

“The Invisible Ones”… is a remarkable production on the plight of homeless veterans in America today. Shocking statistics reveal the high percentage of those with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who are homeless and without adequate support. A must see for all compassionate people who are driven to help stop the inhumane (mis)treatment of our veterans.

Sgt. ER

Your film had a tremendous impact on me personally and helped change my perspective. You have gained at least one advocate in me, and I will do what I can, unofficially, to spread the word and encourage others to support this cause.

Ty D

A very moving and powerful look into a bad situation that affects our veterans. Awareness is what brings change, and hopefully the distribution of this DVD will do just that. This needs to be seen by all citizens, from the lowest level to the highest level, so we can begin to help and support our true heroes.

Dave

Thanks… for posting the homeless veterans video! I am a totally disabled veteran and I lived in the streets homeless for over 8 months until someone gave me a hand and helped me out of that life. I would have stayed there probably forever and I asked the same question as the one veteran, ‘What did I do to deserve this!’ What a Shame!!! Peace.

Marshell

I just watched the video; I like it A LOT. Please tell me what I can do to help….

Sean

Just watched the demo; very powerful and well done. I was definitely fighting tears at the end, how can you not?

 

Craig

The wife and I made some popcorn and watched the doc last night… It is a great work and very eye opening. The wife got teary at parts which is a sure sign that the message was being delivered. It really made us see what a huge issue this is. I hope this video really gets around and we both commend your dedication to the cause… I thought the editing (and everything technical for that matter) was great! Great music too by the way.

Dawn D

We are going to continue to try to find a way to share your movie at church and try to get more donations for this very important cause.  I hope you put the entire copy of The Invisible Ones on the internet.  Be sure to tell people where to send their donations.  I’m sure many people will do it.  In fact, be sure to tell me how to access it so I can forward it to all my friends.

 

Jane

You have contributed so much to helping the human condition, not only for the homeless ones but to help us all join together in a common cause to become one. Those of us who are blessed with so much often do not know how to help those not born quite so lucky. Your film and your efforts to bring us altogether is a most effective way to go and we thank you for the love, sweat and tears you have put into this project.

More Reviews

“I’m inspired to see if and where I can help back in Maryland. Thanks.”

“Thank you for your “Labor of Love.” This is what fortifies the world.”

“Bravo Zulu (Vet Talk) = Outstanding.”

“Great interviews; very articulate and personal. Very touching video that showed the magnitude of veterans issues.”

“Extremely well done – covers all areas of the situation.” – Ralph

“I will continue to spread the word about The Invisible Ones and do what else I can.” –Bruce

“Thank you for all you’re doing to bring awareness to homeless Vets and encouraging others to help them.   Keep up the great work!!” – Armand

“We were immensely impressed with what you have done. Thank you as part of the San Diego community and thank you personally for this important work.” – Barbara