Hi, this is George and Samara.

When Barry Heard writes books I reckon he gets his motivation from the letters he receives, like from Vietnam veterans and all that other stuff because I think he thinks it would be good for the world to know what really happened in the war. Instead of some guy making up a story, he is actually telling a real life story on behalf of all the Vietnam soldiers and I think that’s what’s motivates him to write his books.

What I thought the main message that came from him today was, to never give up no matter how bad of a situation you are in, just keep going you will get better and will become stronger, because he went through a hell of a lot and I don’t think he thought of giving up on the world and dying, instead he stayed strong and became famous for what he and all the other soldiers have been through.

Barry’s main leadership traits are modesty, courage and he is just a great bloke. He talked a bit about his mates committing suicide and how life definitely wasn’t easy for him when he got back. He was so strong to go through that, and come out the other side. Barry prefers to say the book is by all the men in the Vietnam War. At first, he didn’t even want his name printed on the cover of the book.

Barry’s story put into perspective to all of us, what the war was actually like. It’s definitely not sunshine and rainbows. It ruins people’s lives. He talked about how innocent he was walking into the army, then how completely opposite he and every other man was, returning.

Barry Heard’s story was very touching and left many of us tearing up.