DOF Secretary Hilda Solis Visits San Diego - by Mark Schulze

Crystal Pyramid Productions recently had the opportunity to videotape the visit of Department of Labor Secretary, Hilda Solis to the Veterans Village of San Diego, a nonprofit organization that works to bring homeless veterans back into society. VVSD was celebrating the completion of the construction of Phase Two of its rehabilitation center for homeless military veterans suffering from chemical dependency or mental health issues. This phase of the project adds 112 early treatment beds, a medical facility, an employment center and administration building to better serve those in need.

Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD), aka Vietnam Veterans of San Diego, is dedicated to extending assistance to needy and homeless veterans of all wars and eras and their families by providing housing, food, clothing, substance abuse recovery and mental health counseling, job training and job search assistance. Their mission statement: "We believe in the inherent worth of each and every Veteran and his or her right to a rehabilitation program which leads to renewed self-worth and independent living."

Here I am videotaping the speech that Secretary Solis delivered to the residents and volunteers at VVSD.

These are some of the residents of VVSD, formerly homeless veterans who have made the commitment to eliminate drugs and alcohol from their lives, participate in a year-long live-in program at VVSD, and return as healthy and beneficial members of their communities.

Phil Landis, CEO of VVSD, stands in front of a mural that features himself as a young man who served in Vietnam

I discovered this video on youtube that covers Secretary Solis's visit to VVSD. I am the camera operator wearing a white baseball cap. And my partner and wife, Patty Mooney, who shot the above three photographs, is the woman in blue carrying the boom pole. This is rare footage of us, the people usually BEHIND the scenes.