Download a photo of Vietnam War veteran Dave Hanson
GRANITE FALLS, Minn. — On Thursday, April 22 at 7 p.m. Pioneer PBS’s Postcards program will interview Madison native Dave Hanson about his experience as a night ambush combat veteran in the Vietnam War and his subsequent struggle with PTSD. The episode will be rebroadcast on Sunday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. and on Monday, April 26 at 1:30 p.m.
The story will also be available for online viewing through the station’s website: www.pioneer.org/postcards.
Vietnam War veteran Dave Hanson wanted to become an art teacher but instead found himself in Vietnam operating radar detection equipment for night ambush teams. In this story, he shares memories of his intense experience in Vietnam that led to years of flashbacks, nightmares and suicide attempts. Thanks to help from the Veterans Administration, Hanson now shares his story to reach out to other veterans who suffer and to let them know there is hope. “It's now been six and a half years since my last attempt at suicide and I've not had any flashbacks, I've not had any attempts at suicide, I walk in my woods at night with ease. I don't have any bad dreams, I don't have any nightmares and my wife is so thankful because I did get the help I needed,” Hanson said.
About Postcards
The award-winning Postcards is produced by Dana Conroy with videography and editing by Kristofor Gieske and Ben Dempcy. The program is made possible by contributions from the voters of Minnesota through a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Production sponsors for the program include Shalom Hill Farm, Explore Alexandria Tourism and the Lake Region Arts Council.
About Pioneer PBS
Established in 1966, Pioneer PBS is an award-winning, viewer-supported television station dedicated to sharing local stories of the region with the world. For more information visit: www.pioneer.org.
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