TRIGGER WARNING

Dave Morgan left his family in Brisbane in 1969 for Vietnam as part of the 104 Signal Squadron. During his term, he served at several fire support bases and dealt with attacks by the Viet Cong. During one of those attacks, his pit hole collapsed on him, and after he returned to an unsympathetic Australia, he started reliving that experience night after night. Dave tried to live a normal life after he returned from Vietnam. Within months he had his first nightmare along with anxiety and depression. There was nowhere to turn for help as Vietnam veterans were despised by most people, or they were just not interested in them. Most Vietnam vets disappeared into their own world. After military discharge, came heavy drinking and depression. During a 6 month trip to USA/Canada, he had suicidal thoughts until he met up with an American mate that he met in Vietnam and for the first time Dave felt comfortable with life as his American friends helped him with his anger and depression. He returned to Australia with a new outlook on life, got married, was selected on a Bureau Meteorology Technical Officer ( Weather Observer) course, and over the next thirty-three years had 12 postings including Antarctica and raised two children. He hid his PTSD well from all but his family. They moved around Queensland for Dave’s job as a Technical Officer but his desire for isolation led him to postings at Giles WA, Macquarie Island and Davis Station. A few hours after he arrived at Casey Station for his next expedition, he slipped on blue ice and sustained a severe head and neck injury forcing a medevac back to the mainland. Now retired, Dave is seeking treatment for his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which Antarctica finally made him acknowledge.

Dave’s third book – ‘The Invisible Trauma’ was published by Big Sky Publishing this year 2022. His two previous books were– ‘Ice Journey’ (2010) and ‘My Vietnam War-Scarred Forever’ (2014).

A portion of sale proceeds from this book will be donated to Australia Legacy an organisation which supports veterans’ families.

https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/dave-morgan/

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