First Person: A journey from darkness into light
In this First Person piece, FSGT Mark Eaton talks about a veterans program that enabled him to reflect on how his military experiences have shaped his life and relationships.
Fifteen years after first serving in Timor-Leste, I returned to a place that had shaped a significant part of my military life. However, this time, I was there with my wife as part of Veterans Care Association’s Timor Awakening program and soon discovered the journey was about far more than revisiting the past.
Over 10 days, veterans and their partners took part in health and wellbeing activities, honest conversations, reflection, exercise, cultural experiences and visits to historical sites and local communities. The program supports veterans to rediscover connection, hope and purpose while providing practical tools to take home.
For many veterans, leaving military service means adjusting to changes in identity, routine and purpose. The military provides a strong sense of belonging through our units, mates and shared experiences. Transitioning from that environment can leave people questioning what comes next.
Timor Awakening provided space to step away from normal routines, decompress and reflect. Most importantly, it created an environment where veterans could speak openly with people who understood the language and experiences of service.
Some of the most valuable lessons were also the simplest. Conversations about compassion fatigue, moral injury, forgiveness and gratitude encouraged us to consider how our experiences affect our relationships and ourselves. These “BIG conversations” helped us address issues we might otherwise avoid, while “above and below the line thinking” helped us focus on what we could control.
'What began as a return to my past became an opportunity to look towards the future – a quiet journey from darkness into light.'
What made the program particularly powerful was veterans helping veterans. Mentors openly shared their experiences and what had helped them move forward. There was no judgement and no expectation that anyone had all the answers.
Attending as a couple also gave my wife and I an opportunity to reconnect and better understand what each of us had carried through our years of service.
Returning to communities where I had previously served was deeply meaningful. Seeing Timor-Leste’s resilience and warmth towards Australians gave me renewed gratitude and perspective.
We returned home feeling more connected, grateful and hopeful. What began as a return to my past became an opportunity to look towards the future – a quiet journey from darkness into light.
The experience reminded me that transition does not have to be navigated alone. Sometimes, finding a way forward begins by stopping, reconnecting and allowing others to walk beside you.
Learn more about the Veterans Care Association here.
If you need support, call the all-hours support line on 1800 624 608 or visit the mental health and wellbeing support services site through the Defence network.
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