Barry Heard. Author

gday turd, Just finished your book, bloody good read, best i have read in a long time. I bought it for me dad, for christmas, and sat down to have a read, it moved me mate. i cried in some parts. Im 16 and i understand alot more of what was like now but i know that unless you have experianced it no one will ever know the pain and emotion, chin up eh.
anyway i live on a farm at Lindenow and i was flickin througha magazine and on it was a picture of a bloke about 20 years rideing a bmx bike....doing tricks off of an ANZAC memorial. it made me so, so mad to think that he would do that, i was so disgusted, i wrote letters to the paper...local and the herald....but none were published. it made me feel sad that some young people just dont care. anyways ya dopey sod, i gotta go so keep ya chin up mate....on ya.

Hi Barry,
Thanks for sharing your story. It's one of the best books I've ever read - I couldn't put it down. I learnt so much about Vietnam - I truely had no idea - as a 30 year I can't recall learning a lot about it at school and the little i do know if probably just from TV/movies. My father just missed out on being called up however he had friends that were. It's inspiring to think that you have shared you story of the reality of war and that along the way you have inspired so many people. Well Done!!
I only finished the book last night and have already recomended it to several of my friends. (don worry I won't lend them the book - they can buy their own!!)
Thanks again.
Regards,
Brooke

I put off reading your book for quite a while. As a female I thought I couldn't/shouldn/t relate to your war trauma. Out of respect. My husband is a Vet (albeit a "regular")...a very young one who joined the Navy at 15 and broke his neck to get to Vietnam. And got his wish just after his birthday at 18. He was attached to EMU as a helicopter mechanic and because of his training as a medic also did a few "dust-offs" as through your book I now know they are called. Some WI and WII Vets had the same problem. Although most attended the RSL, quite a few, like my father and grandfathers never marched.. My father, I remember , never spoke of "his" war. On ANZAC days, he'd not drink (because of the hang-over from the night before): just watch all those old black and white war movies , twitching and punching at nothing, eyes blazing and declare at the end "it's all a lot of bullshit!" I always knew this about my grandfathers, father and husband. That it was so much it could not be spoken of. Thanks for putting into context what I have always known: we are not cannon fodder: young people should never be put in that place, to return, wounded, to endlessly return the "favour".

Just Finished WDTM thanks for explaining to the rest of us ignorant people not affected by war the harsh realities of it, cant wait until my Kids are old enough to read this and appreciate what men of our country have given for us.
Thanks Barry

My marble did not come up for 'Nashos". A primary school mate had his number come up and he died in Vietnam. I was completely ignorant of what happened and of the aftermath for the Vets. I started your book on Christmas eve and finsihed it Christmas afternoon, ignoring most of what was happening around me. I am enlightened, enthralled, wiser, humbler and grateful for your words. I can't remember last time I cried reading a book. It goes alongside about 4 other books as my all-time reads. Very precious. Well done to you and Lyn - and, thank you

Hey barry just read ur book well done those men. my dad is a vet same intake as you. have read his diary 6th august 1967 he was artillery .have a photo of that day of him plotting the shells .ur book has helped me understand my dad . thanks mate

Barry,
I read your book and felt for you even though in your earlier years you played football for Ensay. I lived at Swift's Creek with my Uncle and Aunt for many years upon leaving school. Lindsay & Peg Cameron. I played a few games with the Creek under Darren Gribble and went back to Melbourne where I was called up for Nasho Service. Fortunately I didn't end up in the grunts but have also had problems with health issues after returning from Vietnam.
I loved that part of my life living at Swifts Creek and the old theatre and pub, also the dances held at the hall. I return quite often and was told of your book WDTM and I look forward to reading about life arounf Connor's Hill which certainly will bring back memories.

Best Regards,

Brian Kelly

Barry,
I read your book and felt for you even though in your earlier years you played football for Ensay. I lived at Swift's Creek with my Uncle and Aunt for many years upon leaving school. Lindsay & Peg Cameron. I played a few games with the Creek under Darren Gribble and went back to Melbourne where I was called up for Nasho Service. Fortunately I didn't end up in the grunts but have also had problems with health issues after returning from Vietnam.
I loved that part of my life living at Swifts Creek and the old theatre and pub, also the dances held at the hall. I return quite often and was told of your book WDTM and I look forward to reading about life arounf Connor's Hill which certainly will bring back memories.

Best Regards,

Brian Kelly

Thank-you so much for having the courage to not only write WDTM, but for sharing it with the world. I recently visited the Vietnam Veterans Museum in Phillip Island and learnt so much about the Vietnam war, but your book showed me a whole other side. It is so incredibly sad that such young men (boys) were sent into such an unimaginable situation that would end up haunting them for the rest of their lives. I have already recommended your book to others in hope that those men and their story are never forgotten. Thank-you again.
Sincerely, Megan