Page 8 - The Wayne Dispatch

VETS, Continued from page 5 ings better.”
Eric and Yoli have been volunteering at Vet-
was on “stage” with her friends doing skits or as eran’s Haven in Wayne since they arrived. They
a dancer on stage. also go to VFW 9885 “Bova” in Westland every Sat-
While working as a bartender in 1988 at urday where Yoli does karaoke. The couple is try-
Spoons California Grill in Buena Park, California, ing to bring hope to veterans through their
Yoli met Eric, who had moved to Buena Park after grassroots movement.
being discharged from the Marines. She says Eric The Von Scott’s need help funding “The War on
and his friend were just leaving the bar when she Veterans” project. They have chosen to crowdfund
came in to start her 6pm shift. He took one look the project by setting up a Go Fund Me page. Yoli
at her, told his friend “That’s my wife” and stayed says crowdfunding eliminates the middleman (in-
until closing. “It was February 19, 1988 at vestors who want to step in and take control of
6:01pm” says Yoli, and they’ve been together ever the project) and helps maintain the integrity of the
since. She says they are best friends and work to- Yoli Von Scott laughs with Don 'The Godfather' Vito, a product the Von Scott’s want to produce. She ad-
gether at Von Scott Studios where they do videos mits the project could take 5-10 years to complete,
and short films. VFW 9885 Bova Blood Brother. depending on cashflow to move forward with each
Eric says he has wanted to be a film director programs to members of the Veterans of Foreign step. In the interim, she and Eric will continue to
ever since he was a child. His dad made home Wars (VFW). As an advocate for people, Yoli wants dig for stories. “I love these men and women. We
movies and did photography. Eric was inspired to to “tell the good, the bad and the ugly” about vet- are going to stay here and mine these stories for
make his own short films. Eric also does photo- erans and how they are treated after being dis- all it’s worth,” Yoli says. “Let your voice be heard
realistic oil paintings. charged from the military. Originally conceived as in our documentary!”
“The War on Vets” project, long lingering on a 90-minute documentary for Netflix or another Eric, who quietly sits at Yoli’s side while she
Yoli’s mind as her passion project, actually started streaming service about U.S. veterans, the project enthusiastically talks about this project she has
developing when she and Eric were at a hotel that has morphed into something far bigger. Yoli has dreamed of for so long, sums up what they both
happened to be hosting what they call “a Cootie had requests from veterans in distant countries feel about the veterans they hope to help. “We can’t
convention.” A convention for a 3-dimensional who want to be interviewed and tell their own sto- reach out and hug everybody, but this film can.”
bug toy inspired a documentary on veterans? Not ries. Yoli sees the documentary now turning into If you would like to donate to this project,
exactly. A “Cootie” at this convention is a member a series about the suffering of veterans everywhere please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/The-
of the Military Order of the Cootie of the United in the world and what measures can be imple- WarOnVets.
States, a non-profit veteran’s service organization mented to ease the suffering. If you would like to contact Yoli, you can reach
that is based on the principles of good humor and “There’s already awareness,” says Yoli. “We her by email: yoli@thewaronvets.com or by
fun. The Cooties provide social and entertainment want greater global awareness to treat human be- phone: (313) 720-8656.

8 · December 2019 · The Wayne Dispatch