Celebration, Fireworks And PTSD | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Celebration, Fireworks And PTSD

A reminder to all.

13
Celebration, Fireworks And PTSD
Military With PTSD

Jon Oliver from "Last Week Tonight" once said that most firework displays were the sequence of one blue burst, one red burst, then one white, then a combination of all three. Then, for the finale, it seemed like someone just lit all of them because they were tired and had a show on the DVR at home, but let's stop for a moment and think about this.

Do you ever actually remember that display?

I know every year, around the Fourth of July, my dad would be off work, usually with a three-day weekend. We would grill food like hamburgers, hot dogs some chicken. Mom and I would spend all morning in the kitchen making potato salad and cutting fruits for easy, grab-and-go snacks. We would eat and talk and enjoy the usual hot summer day in Oklahoma. After lunch, we would swim or lounge around. We had nothing to do or worry about, so why not relax? Then, around dusk, you would start to hear the sounds of little children lighting little firecrackers and laughing. Soon, the big firecrackers would start to go off. My family was never big into shooting them off ourselves. We would just sit and watch all of the neighbors.

Then I noticed a sign stuck in a yard.

Combat veteran lives here: Be courteous with fireworks.

These signs have been a growing sensation all over the country. You can see the whole story on them and even buy a sign for a loved one at www.militarywithptsd.org. I encourage you to check out the Explosion of Kindness 2016 map. This map has a marker for every sign, and I would like to see it filled by the end of this year. They have already shipped out double the amount they started with in 2015. Their goal is to ship 10,000 firework signs to veterans by the end of this year.

I have studied Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for years and know much on the subject. That is even why I am studying to be a psychologist here at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. I know the effects, and I have seen my fair share of examples. I would never want to learn that something that I celebrate is causing someone else pain or flashbacks. I hope people take time and realize that this sign can benefit everyone in your community.

These signs are all over. One may be in your neighborhood. One may be in your front lawn. So, my challenge for you this week is if you know someone there is a veteran who suffers from PTSD, please seek them out and tell you when you will be shooting off fireworks. These signs do not mean you can't celebrate in your usual fashion, they are only asking for some courtesy. This way, everyone will enjoy their Fourth of July this year.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

902
How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl roommates
StableDiffusion

Where do we begin when we start talking about our roommates? You practically spend every moment with them, they become your second family and they deal with you at your best and at your absolute worst. They are there to make you laugh just a little harder, cry a little less and make each day a little better. We often forget to thank them for the little things that they do to make college even a tiny bit easier and more fun. This list of 26 things are what you should thank your roommates for right this minute and every day that you live with them.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

20 Thoughts While Studying For Finals

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1889
Thoughts While Studying For Finals
StableDiffusion


That time of the semester has arrived once again, finals. The worst week ever. Who thought it was a good idea for all your classes to have exams all in the same week? Definitely not me. Here's 20 thoughts you may have studying for finals.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

6771
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

40 Gift Ideas for the Indecisive

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

120986
Christmas gifts around a tree
StableDiffusion

It's officially December. There is less than a month of 2024, and I still feel like yesterday was summer. Now comes the merriest time of the year, the Christmas season.

Everyone has been waiting for this time of year since mid-October (which is way too early, in my opinion) or before. It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. A lot of times when I ask friends and family what they want, I get a lot of "I don't know" or "I don't care."

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments