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Explosions on the 4th of July are not always a form of Celebration
As we prepare to celebrate the 235th Birthday of the United States of America, many will plan camping trips, barbecues, parties, or simply attend one of the many community based fireworks display/street fair. Then there are some that will make an excuse for why they cannot attend, who will not answer their telephone in fear of having to lie to friends as to why they can’t come to the party. Those people tend to be the ones who should be celebrating the birth of our nation with pride, and a sense of accomplishment as they are a part of an elite group of Americans, they are less than one percent of America’s total population; they are Combat Veterans.
To the men and women that have served in the United States Armed Forces the 4th of July is a day of celebration and pride. It is a time to reflect upon what we have and how selfless service has contributed to the longevity of our way of life. Of those men and women approximately 11 to 20 percent [1] suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is marked by: Anger, avoidance of situations that remind one of the traumatic event(s), nightmares, sleeplessness, and many other symptoms. It is typically caused by a person experiencing an event or a series of events that caused them to fear for their lives, caused them or others to become injured or killed, and other traumatic events. The causes of PTSD are many, and the levels of reaction to certain stressors are as numerous as the causes. It is fairly easy to make the presumption that fireworks and explosions may trigger some of the reactions associated with PTSD in a Combat Veteran. With the longevity of the current conflicts America finds herself in, and the involvement of Active Component as well as Reserve and National Guard it is likely there may be a person suffering from PTSD in your community.
Since the advent of gunpowder, the possibility of a boom, crack, pop, or other loud unexpected noise has had the potential to cause a war Veteran to respond with reactions he or she has used to protect him or herself and their comrades. Given the frequency of the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), better known as “Roadside Bombs”, today’s Combat Veterans are subjected to loud, unexpected explosions which have caused injury to their peers. One of the other “favorite” methods of attack for the enemy in today’s conflicts is mortars and rockets. These munitions tend to emit a loud buzz or “WHOOSH” followed by a large explosion. The common factor in these weapons which Service Members find themselves exposed to is the explosion. One of the most enjoyed parts of the “a-typical” Fourth of July celebration is setting off fireworks which produce loud explosions. Some are preceded by a “whistle” or “Whoosh” before their signature explosion.
While this sort of “bang for your buck” may bring happiness, and entertainment, it can also make the life of a Combat Veteran a living hell. The weeks leading up to the actual day of July 4th, and the actual day can be one of the most trying times in a Combat Veteran’s life. While everyone is outside, enjoying barbecue, friends and family, and fireworks, the Combat Veteran with PTSD finds themselves cowering in their home, suffering through anxiety, anger, sleeplessness, and anger. The person who carried out the will of their Nation, served proudly, and spent time in situations and circumstances that many could only imagine is now reduced to cowering in their home awaiting a reprieve from the “attack” taking place just outside their door.
There is no way to explain Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to someone that does not suffer from it. There is no way to describe the feelings of anxiety, and anger felt by the PTSD sufferer. The most deeply apathetic individual cannot begin to understand the myriad of feelings and emotions which overwhelm the Combat Veteran suffering from PTSD, and with every explosion, the symptoms become worse and more difficult to explain and for the sufferer to deal with. In the mean time that person wonders why one of their favorite most enjoyed holidays is now one of their most feared and loathed times of the year. They sit and wonder if this is their “repayment” for their service to America, if this is their “re-payment” for their actions while in combat, they hide and suffer through the “torture”, making yet again another sacrifice for the men, women, and children of America.
No one should be forced to refrain from celebrating the birth of America. No one should stop buying and safely using fireworks. Everyone, however should take a moment, and consider their neighbors or members of their community who may have been exposed to or experienced a traumatic event in a combat zone that may have caused him or her to suffer from PTSD.
The following are things you can do to be a good neighbor, and show your respect for those who have served:
1) Determine whether your fireworks may create an environment that has the potential to adversely affect a person with PTSD.
2) Talk to your neighbors, and ASK if explosions might have an effect on one of them (or more)
3) Warn your neighbor the impending loud noises and explosions BEFORE you light off any fireworks.
4) If you are a friend of someone with PTSD, offer to stop by periodically throughout the evening to see how they are doing.
5) If you should notice that your use of fireworks is having an adverse effect on an individual, stop lighting off fireworks that may cause loud explosions
Everyone should have the opportunity to celebrate and enjoy the Fourth of July; everyone including Combat Veterans with PTSD. Take a moment, and find a way to conduct your celebration in a place and manner which will help to relieve some of the reactions caused by the loud noises and explosions that may disturb someone suffering from PTSD.
Find more information about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/index.asp
Have a safe and happy Independence Day.
[1] http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/how-common-is-ptsd.asp
