CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Experts, advocates encourage courtesy for veterans around July 4 fireworks

Watertown Daily Times (NY) - 7/3/2015

July 03--Tweet

WATERTOWN -- Aside from the American flag, few symbols illustrate the Fourth of July quite like fireworks.

However, for soldiers and veterans who have post-traumatic stress disorder or related anxiety disorders, fireworks can trigger traumatic flashbacks.

Bradley D. Frey is the director of River Hospital's Community Wellness Program, which has been treating soldiers with PTSD since February 2013. He said the lights and sounds of fireworks displays can be overwhelming for some individuals with PTSD.

"A firework comes with a loud explosion and usually a bright light," he said. "It can trigger a memory of an IED (improvised explosive device) explosion. In an instant, it can bring back some memories."

As a result, a Niagara Falls-based group, Military With PTSD, is asking people to be considerate when setting off fireworks this weekend.

The group has launched a nationwide campaign that distributes red, white and blue signs that veterans can put in their lawns or place on their homes.

Each sign reads: "Combat Veteran Lives Here. Please Be Courteous with Fireworks."

The campaign has gained national media attention in recent weeks, drawing a variety of responses from online commenters across the country.

Dr. Todd L. Benham, chief of the Department of Behavioral Health at Fort Drum, said he believes the campaign has a good message.

"The thing that I really like about that sign is that it says 'Please be courteous,'" Dr. Benham said. "It's a reminder to be sensitive. In any situation, you don't know what the person next to you is going through."

Although Dr. Benham said he has not seen signs in any yards locally, he said there will be soldiers and veterans in the area who will be uncomfortable around fireworks this weekend.

"I do think some soldiers might be more on edge because they are anticipating it," he said. "Soldiers are trained to respond when they hear things that sound like gunfire. When you do something enough times, you are going to be more likely to have a significant reaction to that."

Especially here in the north country, Dr. Benham said, neighbors should try to be open with each other if they are planning on launching fireworks.

"We do think about the world a little bit differently in our environment, meaning the Fort Drum region," he said. "July Fourth represents our nation's independence, and many wars and battles have been fought creating that independence. It is important to recognize that people around us have sacrificed a lot."

Mr. Frey agreed. He said Fourth of July celebrations can be courteous and fun all at once.

"I think it serves as a good reminder to at least think more about things," he said of the campaign, "but I don't think it's a reason to not have fun."

For soldiers in the River Community Wellness Program, Mr. Frey said he and his staff host a Fourth of July gathering that allows soldiers and their families to celebrate the holiday in an environment that is comfortable for them.

This year, he said, a barbecue and picnic will be held on Sunday. He said there will be fireworks, but it is up to the soldiers to decide whether they want to watch the display.

Mr. Frey said the gathering actually serves as a form of "in vivo" exposure for some of the soldiers, allowing them to control and reduce anxiety while being exposed to the fireworks.

"For those soldiers that choose to stay for the firework display, they're right here with us," he said. "It's a controlled environment."

___

(c)2015 Watertown Daily Times (Watertown, N.Y.)

Visit Watertown Daily Times (Watertown, N.Y.) at www.watertowndailytimes.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.