Someone shared this story on my personal Facebook feed, and suddenly, I felt awfully stupid. The photo is of a veteran holding up a sign. In an instant, I realized how much I take our veterans' experiences for granted.
The sign reads:
Combat Veteran.
Please Be Courteous With Fireworks.
What these veterans are asking for is just a little consideration on a very special day. The Fourth of July marks Independence Day for Americans each year, but for thousands of vets, the fireworks can be a trigger for difficult memories. For the many vets dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the sound of the fireworks popping is all too similar to the sound of bullets.
Some think the signs are offensive because they put a damper on the fun.
"Negative. It's counter to everything we stood for, fought for to hamper patriotic celebration or impose views upon anyone taking part," one person commented on Twitter. I think most folks will find that they can celebrate the holiday without causing these heroes any more anguish.
[H/T: USA Today / Washington Post]
"The sensitivity here is that if you know that your next-door neighbor served... and you're planning to have a firework display in your backyard, it's probably the thoughtful thing to do to let them know," Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen told USA Today.
"[The sound of the fireworks] could send somebody into a very painful, stressful, emotional experience remembering a firefight or a buddy who was killed," she said.
Studies show that 7 to 20 percent of the veterans and troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan have PTSD. When you consider that more than 2.5 million have served, the picture becomes all too clear.
The Fourth of July can be torturous for many vets. “Some go camping to get away from the city and the fireworks,” Shawn Gourley, co-founder of the nonprofit group Military with PTSD told The Washington Post. “Others just put some heavy-duty headphones on.”
“The purpose of these signs is not to stop fireworks, no veteran wants that,” Gourley said. “It’s the days leading up to and the days leading away from July 4th, when it’s unexpected, that’s what the problem is.”
If you see one of these signs, please notify the veteran if and when you will be using fireworks so that they can take the proper measures. That's all you have to do to be respectful!
For more information on how fireworks can trigger vets with PTSD, watch the video below!
On a holiday meant to honor those who fought for our independence in 1776, we must be considerate of those who fight for our freedom today.
Please SHARE this important message with your family and friends on Facebook if you support veterans!
