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Retired journalist Morris Dalla Costa could have been rich.

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“If I had had the money for every time someone said, ‘I have a great story for you that could be a book,’ I could have retired at 50,” Dalla said. Costa, who retired from the London Free Press in 2018..

Then he got a call from Bobby Marr and three years later Dalla Costa, 68, is a published author.

Where have you been Bobby Marr? Friend, Felon, Hero (Dreaming Big Publications, $ 15 pocket, $ 5 ebook) tells the true story of Bobby Marr, born in London in 1948, raised in San Juan, Texas, and enlisted in the United States Army in l heyday of the Vietnam War – 1968.

As Dalla Costa writes: “When Bob was first disembarked at Cam Ranh Bay (Vietnam), he entered the midst of one of the most chaotic, dangerous and heartbreaking years of the Vietnam War: year of the Vietnam War. Lai massacre and the Tet offensive.

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But it’s not just a book about Bobby Marr’s war experiences as a field medic with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. It is a book about a life that changed during and after the war, about a man who suffered from post-traumatic stress syndrome when it was still only a theory, and who, on the return from the war ” physically and mentally broken, ”shot a policeman fleeing a crime scene in 1971 in the head.

Marr served a dozen years in prison, was released, and then served another five years for lying when he asked to buy a gun.

“He’s more than just a soldier,” said Dalla Costa. “For me, it was about his faith and his belief that a higher power looked after him, no matter what his situation. And it is about forgiveness, to forgive himself for what he has done. He always feels guilty every time he thinks about the policeman he shot.

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It is also a book meant to remind people that they are responsible for their decisions in life.

“We all have a responsibility for the decisions we make and we need to understand that we are responsible for the impacts of those decisions on our own lives and the lives of others,” said Dalla Costa. “This is the lesson Bob wants people to learn, especially for young people. “

In six months in the field in Vietnam, Marr received the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts and the Army Commendation Medal with recognition for his bravery in combat. He lost one eye and suffered a serious injury to his right arm. And he returned home with a heavy emotional baggage which made it difficult to adapt to civilian life.

Now 73, Marr lives in London, where his parents and brother are buried. When reached by phone, he was in the hospital with a broken leg.

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“Over the years, several people have told me that I should publish my story,” said Marr.

“Do I have any regrets? Would I wish I could have redesigns? Sure. Maybe one of the reasons behind the book and all the details of what happened during that time, maybe some people can learn from my mistakes. I haven’t had any issues with Johnny Law (police) since I came here (1991).

Dalla Costa’s research succeeded in answering one of the nagging questions in Marr’s life: what happened to his best friend in Vietnam, Tom Gregory, whom he had groomed for what he thought was fatal injuries the same day Marr was injured.

It turns out that Gregory survived, returned to the United States, and battled PTSD before committing suicide in the mid-1980s, according to his daughter. She contacted Marr, even calling him on Remembrance Day and thanking him “for saving my father’s life.”

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“I was curious beyond belief as to what had happened to my best friend, Tom,” said Marr. “If I had known he was in such distress, I would have gone to see him and, perhaps, he would still be alive.” I think I could have saved him.

Dalla Costa’s 42-year career as a journalist, generalist columnist and sports columnist has taken him to some of the biggest sporting events in the world, including the FIFA World Cup, Baseball World Series, Stanley Cups and NFL games. He is married to former London City Councilor Megan Walker, former Executive Director of the London Abused Women’s Center.

Writing a book wasn’t part of Dalla Costa’s retirement plans until Marr contacted him several months after his last shift at The Free Press.

“He’s really just a regular guy with an amazing story,” said Dalla Costa.

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“The last thing I thought I had the ability to write was a book. I admire everyone who has written a book. It took a lot of me, ”he said.

“Writing is not easy. Even when I was in the newspaper business and sent the 800 words for a column, I didn’t know if anyone wanted to read it, or if it was good, ”he added. “So that’s why the concept of writing a book with 83,000 words was a concept I couldn’t understand, actually holding someone’s attention for so long.”

Dalla Costa will be signing her book at Brown & Dickson Bookstore, 567 Richmond Street, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on November 27. A reading, discussion and question-and-answer session will follow at 7 p.m. tickets are $ 21 and include a copy of the book. See the store’s Facebook page for tickets and details.

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