Fourth of July/Veterans

[Abbey Marie]

Question for our (combat) veterans:

I see FB posts asking us to be careful shooting off fireworks near neighbors who are veterans.
Civilian that I am, I had never thought of it. Anyone here have trouble with fireworks?

[aboutime]

Question for our (combat) veterans:

I see FB posts asking us to be careful shooting off fireworks near neighbors who are veterans.
Civilian that I am, I had never thought of it. Anyone here have trouble with fireworks?


Yes Abbey, but not like other vets with PTSD, who I know, will always have reactions most civilians may never understand. In my case. The lawlessness, and disregard for other people's property on the 4th, and even New Years Eve really gets out of hand at times.

Imagine what several of your neighbors, all firing their bottle rockets, and near professional fireworks above your home (fire threats) would do to you.

In many instances where I live. It is useless to call the police because they are nearly overrun with such complaints....they answer none of them, unless someone is injured, or a fire starts.
People want to have fun, as we all do. But when the lawlessness that begins in Washington spills down to normally quiet neighborhoods.....We all know what happens.

As for those veterans with PTSD. I wish there was a way to protect them in a better way, but IGNORANCE prevails these days, and the selfishness of the "ME" and "I" generations seem to win.

I have a minor case, I think; remembering the sounds of Saudi Arabia, and the AIRRAID warning Sirens from 1990, 91, as well as the Every FIVE HOURS of screaming PRAYERS from the Mosques, when our enemies PRAISE ALLAH SNACKBAR!

[Elessar]

In my profession, we got lots of calls about flares that were only fireworks. I would not
send an aircrew into fireworks.

The difference between fireworks and flares is easy. A parachute flare burns at 60,000 candle power.
Commercial fireworks do not, maybe 20,000.

Even meteor flares are distinct. They do not burst at the apex as do fireworks, and are more intense.

[darin]

I don't like this campaign. I don't like veterans who promote coddling. I don't like people who do it, veterans or not. It's a difficult position to have I suppose, but c'mon now - it'd be like asking folks to avoid honking horns like, ever...or doing a surprise party. Or gathers in crowded places...Look, I'm not a combat vet, but I've deployed and even I dont like seeing boxes left by the side of the road - or debris piles. I search and scan for all that stuff.

but asking folks to 'show concern' about celebrating the independence of the nation? Just feels off.

[CSM]

I don't like this campaign. I don't like veterans who promote coddling. I don't like people who do it, veterans or not. It's a difficult position to have I suppose, but c'mon now - it'd be like asking folks to avoid honking horns like, ever...or doing a surprise party. Or gathers in crowded places...Look, I'm not a combat vet, but I've deployed and even I dont like seeing boxes left by the side of the road - or debris piles. I search and scan for all that stuff.

but asking folks to 'show concern' about celebrating the independence of the nation? Just feels off.

l'm with you on this one, my friend. I do not want nor do I need some uninformed (regardless of how well intentioned) guardian. I suppose (this is just me) that in my eyes, reducing PTSD issues, ESPECIALLY induced by combat, to a Facebook meme just pisses me off

OMG I'm getting grumpy in my old age!.

[Gunny]

I hate them. A random firework has me ducking for cover. I'm too old for that crap.

[Abbey Marie]

So, no consensus on veterans. In any event, animals get so scared, I can't wait for it all to end.

As a young girl in the Bronx, we had a neighborhood girl sitting on a park bench one July, and a boy put some kind of firecracker in one of the bench slats behind her back. It blew a hole in her back. Then, a guy I worked with down the shore lit one and it blew up, and ruined one eye. I have been nervous about them ever since.

[Gunny]

So, no consensus on veterans. In any event, animals get so scared, I can't wait for it all to end.

As a young girl in the Bronx, we had a neighborhood girl sitting on a park bench one July, and a boy put some kind of firecracker in one of the bench slats behind her back. It blew a hole in her back. Then, a guy I worked with down the shore lit one and it blew up, and ruined one eye. I have been nervous about them ever since.

What consensus are you looking for? Most of the vets here are Navy and Coast Guard. I'm a Marine combat vet. Our experiences are different. I'm not saying one is better than the other. Just different. I'm trained to hit the deck. It doesn't bother me if it's a fireworks show. But when the knuckleheads in the neighborhood shoot them at random starting this week and won't quit for another week, I get tired of being startled and jumping through my ass.

[Elessar]

Sorry I strayed a bit from the topic.

My Dad would not watch fireworks. He got too banged up in WWII, then when
a PA&E contracted Fire Chief in 'Nam - he was peppered with burning phosphorus
leading a hose team into a burning ammo bunker

I've seen expired M-127 illumination flares (parachute) misfire and skip horizontally
across the water. I don't trust fireworks that are sold in roadside booths at all.

[Bilgerat]

When the "youts" were here we'd have shower type or something called a "helicopter", but nothing that would would go bang or boom as we have equines on property.

Now they're gone and the dog is scared of loud noises, so no more anything for us.

But the neighborhood still has a viewing :saluting2: