Local author Denny Neave has shared powerful personal stories of veterans who participated in the Sydney Invictus Games in new book ‘Unconquered’.
Having grown up in a military environment and inspired by the professionalism of his father, a Vietnam vet with over 30 years’ Regular Army service, Denny’s interest in military history was sparked early on.
After being a member of the Army Reserve for almost 30 years himself, Denny has written four military history books and produced a compelling documentary.
Unconquered is being launched the day before Anzac Day, 24 April, and tells the remarkable true stories of Australian and New Zealand men and women who fought and conquered extraordinary challenges from the battlefield to the sporting arena.
“When I saw that the Invictus Games were in Australia, and having spoken to the victims, I thought their stories were incredible and it was important to me that people heard their journey,” Denny said.
There was one particular inspiring story that summed up the entire games for Denny.
“There was inspiration coming from the veterans all around the world and the atmosphere was amazing,” he said.
“In the wheel chair road race, one veteran was coming to the end of the race and was totally buggered and had nothing left in him…until one of the Australian soldiers jumped over the fence and ran to his side to push him a couple of hundred metres to the finish line. That really summed up the spirit of the games for me.”
The Sydney Invictus Games showcased the remarkable determination of our ‘unconquered’ wounded service men and women as they battled it out in the sporting arena.
Prince Harry referred to ‘the healing power of sport’ as he watched competitors from 18 countries around the world represent the nation for which they’d fought. Yet many of the competitors compelling personal stories have yet to be told.
These veterans of the Army, Navy and Air Force served in campaigns from Somalia to Afghanistan, and share the scars of their service, both apparent and invisible.
For these men and women, the Invictus Games provided a further challenge, a chance to test their mettle in the sporting arena and continue to represent their country.
Through the power of sport, they have proven that they can overcome the mental and physical trauma inflicted by their service.
With profound stories of service, sacrifice and courage, Unconquered offers a deeply personal account of the trauma of armed conflict, the power of the individual to overcome fear, wounds both mental and physical, and the persistent determination to triumph in the face of adversity.
Denny said the book will be available to be purchased after the launch on 24 April in any major retailer.
