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
- VHS 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
The Invisible Ones: Homeless Veterans Are Sleeping On Our Streets
In the United States, it’s an ironic sight to see countless vehicles adorned with small yellow “Support Our Troops” ribbons on the streets, given that there are more than 200,000 homeless veterans in the country—a fact that often goes unnoticed by many Americans.
San Diego Stand Down
Mark Schulze and Patty Mooney, of Crystal Pyramid Productions, a San Diego video production company
Back in 2007, Mark Schulze and Patty Mooney, the founders of Crystal Pyramid Productions, a San Diego-based video production company, filmed footage at the 20th-anniversary event of Stand Down, organized by the Veterans Administration (VA). Stand Down is a three-day initiative that offers homeless veterans the opportunity to step off the streets and access essential services such as showers, hot meals, and fresh clothing. In addition to these basics, the veterans receive medical, dental, and holistic care, along with counseling and legal guidance from compassionate volunteers. The San Diego Stand Down served as a blueprint for numerous other Stand Downs initiated across the nation by individuals who found it tragic that our wartime heroes were living on the streets.
How Can We Help Homeless Veterans?
Schulze and Mooney were deeply moved by the staggering number of homeless veterans in the United States. After spending two days interviewing and connecting with men and women who had served their country—some with missing limbs, all without homes—Mooney was overcome with emotion. “After three days of respite from the streets, they have to return to that harsh reality. We must do something for them!” Schulze declared. “Why don’t we leverage our strengths and skills? Let’s create a documentary.”
Stepping Up For Homeless Veterans
It took a year for the couple to produce “The Invisible Ones: Homeless Combat Veterans.” They conducted interviews with key figures, including Congressman Bob Filner, Chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee; Congresswoman Susan Davis, Chair of the Military Personnel Committee; Gary Becks, Director of the 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.
Everyone involved in the documentary contributed their time and expertise pro bono, including the creation of music, box cover graphics, website development, and DVD replication. Mooney worked tirelessly, editing during nights and weekends, facing technical challenges. Whenever thoughts of giving up crossed her mind, she remembered that there were homeless veterans in need that very night, and their plight compelled her to persevere.
The documentary has received several prestigious national awards, including a Platinum Ava, a Gold Aurora, an Accolade Award of Merit, a Gold Hermes Award, and a Telly Award, all in recognition of its significant impact on bringing about social change. Additionally, it was featured at the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival in May 2009.
Our Afternoon with Flying Wing Man Brigadier General Bob Cardenas
New & Unique Videos 