I'm a Canadian, and I've grown up with a healthy love for the Military home and Abroad. I remember vividly being a young squirt, laying spread eagle on the floor, and watching my parents tv. I was completely captivated by Lt.Dan in Forrest Gump. I wanted to be a Marine. Mind you I was a young kid and I wasn't able to link Marines up with America, I mean I could hardly tie my shoes. However as I grew, my dreams changed but my love for the military and it's servicefolk and veterans has remained.
With the 1st of July( Canada Day) and the 4th of July( Independance Day:USA) there are going to be a lot of fireworks. However not everyone enjoys them, some veterans because of PTSD end up in terrifying flashbacks of warzones, danger and losing their brothers in arms. Fireworks after all are essentially very colourful, non-destructive and pretty bombs.
If you live in an area where civilians can set of their own fireworks, and you know or possibly think you may have a veteran in your area. Try and gather all the neighbours wanting to set of their fireworks together and have a big show away from the homes. If this isn't possible, maybe you and your neighbours could each chip in 5$ or 10$ and gift your neigbourhood with a pair of good noise cancelling headphones and some Dinner on US cash so they can order out and have their own quiet dinner and movie. Take some pictures of your fireworks, print a few out and have the neighbours sign them and gift them to your veteran. They need to know you're in their corner, and you don't think less of them for not quite being able to handle the fireworks.
Now I've always wondered as a community, and knowing what we do about PTSD and the effects it can have on people. Why haven't we organized and put into place a night of fun for our local veterans ( and their family) where the noise associated with the 4th of July & Canada Day would be muffled or kept at a minimum? Maybe a night at the movies where a family funny, non-violent film ( New or Old) could be shown. It's just a thought, maybe you'll be the one in your area to start something like this.
Long story short, please respect your veterans and some of the mental scars they carry over these two holidays.
-H
