Echoes Of War

By Donald Dunn

In the shadows of service, behind the laughter that fades, lies a story untold of battles waged not on distant lands, but within the quiet confines of home and self. "Echoes of Silence" is a deeply personal journey through the invisible wounds of war, chronicled by a veteran whose life was forever altered by the choices made in youth, the silence kept in strength, and the path walked in solitude. This is not just a tale of struggle with PTSD; it is a beacon for those navigating the aftermath of their own battles, seeking a glimmer of understanding in a sea of unspoken pain.

Through candid reflections, the author unveils the cost of carrying unseen burdens and the challenge of communicating the incommunicable. From the initial reluctance to share the weight of depression with loved ones to the eventual realization of the importance of voice, this book is an intimate exploration of the transformative power of vulnerability and the crucial role of support and community in the journey toward healing.

"Echoes of Silence" offers more than a memoir; it presents a call to action—a reminder that healing begins with a conversation, that understanding is forged through shared struggles, and that every individual's story contributes to a larger narrative of hope, resilience, and rediscovery. For veterans wrestling with the echoes of their past and for families seeking to bridge the gaps widened by unspoken experiences, this book serves as a guide, a comfort, and a testament to the enduring spirit of those who serve, and the loved ones who stand beside them. Here, in these pages, the conversation ignored becomes a dialogue embraced, leading the way to a future where silence is broken and healing can begin.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Donald Dunn
• Release date: Mar 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224841943

Donald Dunn

I served 20 Years in the military.  68 Months spent in Iraq and Afghanistan and Bosnia. My main focus is on our Non Profit helping veterans use Media as therapy.  

Book preview

Chapter 1: Shaped by Challenges: The Path to Finding My Strength

Learning lessons as young adults shapes us into the adults we become. My life has clarified that this truth is true. Before delving deeper, I want to clarify something: the individuals I refer to as Mom and Dad are, in fact, my grandparents. My biological mother left when I was two, turning to prostitution in Colorado. My father, too young to raise a child, joined the Navy and relinquished his parental rights to my grandparents. I maintained contact with my biological father until his passing. However, my relationship with my biological mother was distant. I last sought her out at 18, only to realize that giving birth doesn’t inherently make one a mother. My children later met her but never knew her as their grandmother. I chose not to introduce her as such, believing in earning the title of a mother. Despite these circumstances, my story isn’t one of sorrow but of a blessed childhood, vastly preferable to what might have been with my biological parents.

The narrative begins in 1987, being the earliest of my detailed memories. My best friend, Randy, and I were living our best lives in Valley Springs, a small town in Northern California. I filled my youthful days with competition, humor, and mischief. We both absolutely loved sports, primarily football. I loved being the class clown and engaging in playful fights, perhaps fueling my passion for football. Randy and I played for the Calaveras Raiders—he was the quarterback, and I was the tight end. Despite losing more games than winning, those memories remain precious, devoid of any sense of defeat. We still talk about these days to this date. Our teenage years involved the typical antics of boys our age: prank calls, exploration, and a growing desire for independence.

As a child, I learned the value of diligence by growing up with hardworking blue-collar workers as parents. My dad worked at a sawmill and my mom worked at a factory. I’d wake up after they had already started working. When not with Randy, I spent time with my Uncle Dale in the small town of MT Ranch. Here, I learned different life lessons, from the value of hard work to witnessing the pitfalls of drug use. These experiences shaped my understanding of what to embrace and avoid in life.

Upon moving back to Nebraska in the 7th grade, we experienced a challenging period of change. While transitioning through three different junior high schools, I struggled to fit in and frequently resorted to fighting. I also enjoyed fighting so, that part of it did not really bother me compared to not having any friends. It was here I met Jason, my second-best friend, who introduced me to a different world. Our friendship, borne out of necessity in a science project, grew into a strong bond. Jason, a victim of bullying and an exceptional artist, found a protector in me, and I, a loyal friend to him. We were constantly together, one of us always staying the night at his or my house. Jason’s interest always leaned towards supernatural and ghosts. His interests became mine, and we would often use his Ouija board. I remember a moment in my basement. Jason, using the board, said, If this is Satan, then give us a sign. Directly after that, the TV went off. Our terror quickly subsided as we realized the station had gone off