“When Jane & Johnny Come Marching Homeless”

Many soldiers return home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder- PTSD, formerly known as “shell shock and battle fatigue” and with the current wars in Iraq Afghanistan- it is compounded with Traumatic Brain Injury, TBI.  These conditions can lead to unpredictable behavior, hyper-vigilance, insomnia, nightmares, war flashbacks, drug alcohol abuse~ which can result in hopelessness, joblessness, spousal abuse, divorce, homelessness, and suicide.  These are the hidden wounds that many of our veterans face when they return emotionally home less: a shell of the person they once were.        
         

   Nina M. Gilberti  

“Not to him who is offensive to us are we most unfair, but to him who doth not concern us at all.”

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 This documentary seeks to give veterans and their families a Voice ~ an opportunity to share their stories, express their feelings and speak directly to America.  

Everyone who returns home from war and military service are changed forever, some end up coping better than others.  Many return with undiagnosed issues only to surface later, as they continue to battle an enemy of a different kind.  

Suicide rates among today’s veterans is staggering. 

And the path towards homelessness is never straightforward or immediate.  

The film will not only feature the homeless veteran, who is clearly visible on the streets and ignored, but will also speak to the mental emotional ’homelessness’ that is often invisible and locked away inside many returning soldiers resulting in the loss of the person they once were.  

 A statistic on the VA website read: “one-third of those living on the streets served in the Vietnam war.”  Iraq, Afghanistan, and Gulf War vets who are homeless, may not be visible ~ many live in their cars or couch surf, living from one friend’s apartment to the next. 

  Americans tout, ‘Support Our Troops’, but when it really counts there isn’t much being done after the return home to help the veteran ~ except by the non-profit, veteran organizations, who must also fight a battle every year to raise the necessary funds in order to survive. 

What happened to our consciousness as a nation when we ignore those living on the streets, as well as those whose lives have been altered physically, mentally and emotionally so we might live free?

We need to wake up and step up to do something positive, to share in the responsibility as Americans, and to help create a real difference in the lives of  those who gave us so much.  They put their lives on the line so we can enjoy the freedoms we all take for granted. 

It’s time to give back.

It is my hope, through the making of this film, to inspire a nation to care, to generate real compassion, and perhaps create a movement towards profound Healing and understanding.

This project is currently filming through the end of February 2012.  

 The director is inviting veterans who served in any era, and family members who wish to share their story for this film to please email her at    [email protected]


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One Response to ““When Jane & Johnny Come Marching Homeless””

  1. Thank you for posting this about my film! We are now forming a film schedule and putting the word out to see if any VET, spouse, family member, friend, or organization is interested in being a part of this film. WE ARE IN THE LAST STAGES OF FILM PRODUCTION. This is probably the last time we will be filming for this documentary. Late December- February.

    Please contact me, to discuss if you’re interested in having your story told!
    If funds allow- we will schedule it.

    Thank YOU!

    -Nina

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