This is the Amazing but true story of Lori Dawn Cartagena, a glamorous young Australian Entertainer who traveled to America after spending over twelve months from 1968 to 1969, entertaining American and Australian troops in Vietnam during the war. After surviving numerous ambushes and mortar attacks, Lori eventually flees war torn Asia and arrives in Canada. After a brief affair with a handsome, charming Toronto businessman, she moves to Florida to join a stage show where she finds herself in another desperate situation. Lori discovers she is pregnant and eventually has to make the most heartbreaking decision of her young life. as soon as her newborn son was taken away from her, Lori vowed she would one day find him again. She tried several times, but to no avail. However, 34 years later-he found her. The reunion was the most wonderful event both mother and son could only have dreamed of over those long, agonising years.
About the Author: Born and educated in Brisbane, Australia, Lori showed a love of entertainment from a very early age. At just 17 years, she ventured to Sydney where R&R was in full swing in 1967, to pursue her passion. It wasn't long before an American Entrepreneur recruited Lori a show already touring War torn Vietnam in South East Asia. For over a year she entertained American and Australian troops before returning to Australia briefly. A six-month romance with an American soldier in Vietnam was the original reason Lori journeyed to the USA, but she eventually landed in Canada. For several months Lori taught ballroom dancing in Toronto before leaving the freezing Canadian winter and headed south to sunny Florida .This would ultimately change her life forever. For over 13 years, Lori spent her life in both Canada and the U.S. living in Toronto, Montreal, Miami, New York, Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, constantly experiencing many new adventures and career changes. She also travelled extensively throughout other parts of America as well visiting surrounding Islands in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It wasn't until the 1980's that Lori, her new husband, Greg and six-month-old infant son, Chris, left the United States to reside in Australia. In 1989, after making several trips back and forth to America they eventually settled in Australia permanently. However, in 2005, another life changing event took place. This was the catalyst that finally gave the author the inspiration to complete this story. She had made attempts to put her version on pen and paper for years, but there was something missing, and she just couldn't work up the courage to divulge so much of her past life. In May 2005, Lori's secret son who she gave away for adoption in Miami, Florida in 1970 suddenly reappeared in her life. She had just about given up hope of ever finding him, but after a ten-year search, he found her in Australia. The wonderful story of this heart wrenching reunion was published in a two-page story in the June 26, 2006 issue in the Australian Woman's Day. Along with the encouragement of award winning author and journalist Alan Veitch, the project began and three years later the manuscript was completed. Lori wants this story to be an inspiration for everyone out their searching for their own missing links and encourage them not to give up hope.