During tours of duty in Nevada, enlisted men and women were repeatedly exposed to lethal radiation at the world’s largest nuclear test site.
But because exercises were “top-secret,” the U.S. government continues to conceal official records of their ever having served there.
Now cancer-stricken and ineligible for insurance because of their classified designation, veterans are mobilizing to prove they served and to secure basic healthcare benefits for the\ne of the most photographed professional skiers, Sven built his career through dedication and hard work, earning the respect and admiration of ski photographers and magazine editors worldwide.
Mark Shapiro, Douglas Brian Miller
Co-directors of the award-winning, Oscar-qualifying feature documentary film DOWNWIND (2023), Mark Shapiro (left) and Douglas Brian Miller began collaborating in 2005 when they created short-form content and mini documentaries for Monster.com’s Diversity Leadership Program for marginalized and under-represented college students on university campuses across the United States. They have also produced and directed original and scripted content for global companies including Starbucks, Apple, T-Mobile, The Home Depot, Boeing and the U.S. Department of State.
Director Statement
U.S. military and Department of Defense (DoD) personnel at the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) were assigned the highest-level, top-secret security clearance for a job that required them to be invisible. As they embarked on daily missions in the classified desert location, they had no idea they were continually exposed to highly toxic fallout and radioactive sites, the left-over detritus from nearly 1,000 full-scale nuclear weapons detonations that released deadly contaminants into the air, soil and water supply. Thousands at the NTTR were exposed and suffered illnesses — which often took years to appear.
Department Of Energy employees who often worked in close proximity to their military and DoD counterparts can receive healthcare due to their exposure to the toxicity. However, other personnel at the NTTR are denied benefits because the top-secret classification of their deployment essentially means “they were never there” and therefore never exposed.
From Day One, those assigned to the NTTR were told to say nothing of their service — under the threat of treason and significant fines. They have remained loyal and invisible.
Now activists like veteran Dave Crete are attempting to change the narrative and they have the support of U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nevada) who has prepared new legislation — officially H.R. 9511 — in the House to address the military and DoD workers who served at the NTTR.
The amended legislation would officially recognize veterans exposed to dangerous radiation and chemicals while serving on the Nevada Test and Training Range.
H.R. 9511 could pave the way for victims and their families to receive comprehensive medical care and fair financial compensation.
With this film we want to speak a truth for the women and men who served honorably up-range so they can be compensated and have access to basic healthcare.
Director:
Mark Shapiro, Douglas Brian Miller
Writer:
Mark Shapiro
Producer:
Mark Shapiro, - Matthew Modine, Executive Producer, - Adam Rackoff, Executive Producer
