Spread Awareness of Veterans with PTSD During July 4th Fireworks Celebrations

Report by Paula Antolini
July 2, 2017 8:01AM EDT

Spread Awareness of Veterans with PTSD During July 4th Fireworks Celebrations

Military with PTSD Yard Sign Initiative to Raise Awareness About Veterans with PTSD

Please be considerate and remember our combat veterans this year, and every year, before you light those fireworks in your yard or in any family neighborhoods. The very holiday that celebrates the freedom soldiers fought for can also bring much stress to veterans if afflicted with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Combat veterans with PTSD are more sensitive to the sounds of fireworks. There is a campaign for awareness that produced a yard sign to make residents aware of this struggle before they set off fireworks.

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An estimated 7% to 20% of the more than 2.5 million veterans and troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan are believed to have developed PTSD. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, loud blasts and flashing lights can sometimes induce panic attacks. PTSD is characterized by emotionally re-experiencing traumatic events. The thoughts are triggered for combat veterans by the sound of an explosion or gunfire, or even certain sights and smells, according to the Institute of Medicine.

This project will remind people a veteran lives in their neighborhood and that if they are planning fireworks, heads-up would be nice. Jon Dykes, the veteran who made the original sign that inspired this program said, “Courteous to me means remembering that you are not the only one living in your neighborhood. America celebrates our independence on the 4th of July. Not the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th of July. Some fireworks are expected, and that’s OK. I understand; but not 24 hours a day.”

You can help us provide a free yard sign to 2,500 disabled veterans with PTSD that reads “Combat veteran lives here. Please be courteous with fireworks.”

Your donation matters. Even the smallest donation helps support the work we do with veterans and their families every day. Thank you from the MWPTSD family!

$10/month provides shipping for a free firework sign to a veteran
$50/month provides warm-line support for caregivers
$100/month provides shipping for a free a firework yard sign to 12 veterans

You can still donate now for next year’s signs.