VFW: Be courteous of veterans with PTSD when shooting off fireworks

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — The Fourth of July is considered the most patriotic day of the year but for some of our nation’s patriots the holiday is more painful than festive.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is asking the public to be courteous of veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder when it comes to shooting off fireworks this holiday.

“The Fourth of July is just hard,” says Nicole Horseman, a member of VFW Post 680.

Horseman is a veteran, having served our country in Iraq and now suffers from PTSD.

“The noises are triggers. They can cause immediate flashbacks to situations that we may or may not want to remember,” says Horseman.

She says the fireworks just cause stress for her and her husband, a combat veteran, because it takes them back to a place they don’t want to be.

“When the fireworks go off there’s no warning so those memories can flood back at very uncomfortable times. You could be sitting there watching TV with your kids and all of a sudden your brain is somewhere else,” explains Horseman.

This is the message she wants to get out there to those who plan to celebrate with fireworks.

“We’re out there. We could be your next door neighbor or two blocks over so just be respectful. Fire off those firecrackers and celebrate at the appropriate times,” says Horseman.

The Chief of Mental Health at the VA Medical Center- Leestown campus, says she often sees veterans coming in seeking help after the holiday.

“I think what we tend to see is more of the quiet stories of veterans coming in saying it was a tough weekend, they didn’t get much sleep, this has triggered a lot of memories or my depression has increased,” says Doctor Autum McCain.

She says if any PTSD veterans are struggling, to come see them at their walk in clinics at any time to see a mental health professional.

For more information on services the VA provides for veterans with PTSD, click here.