Fourth of July fireworks trigger veterans with PTSD
Independence Day, also known as Fourth of July, will be a day and night of celebration and festivities for many mid-Missouri residents, but for some veterans, fireworks bring back painful memories of the fight for freedom.
“We need people to understand that our issues are because we’re not the same people when we left,” Kim Wischmeyer said.
Wischmeyer, a Vietnam War veteran with Veterans of Foreign Wars, told ABC 17 News when he hears a loud boom, the first thing he and many veterans do is react by hitting the ground or taking cover.
Veterans of Foreign Wars hosted its second annual carnival to celebrate veterans, and Wischmeyer said it’s held during the day for many reasons, but one of those reasons is that there are vets affected by the noise of fireworks.
Wischmeyer recalled that people slamming doors by accident still triggers him, and he also shared a time when kids shot firework poppers with one entering his car while driving, causing him to ditch his car out of fear.
“The veterans of this country need community support; their understanding. We’re not just battle-crazy individuals,” Wischmeyer said.
During the ABC 17 News interview, Wischmeyer got emotional and had to step aside. He later shared how much he wants people to know that he and other veterans are not just drunks.
“We need people to understand we are not the same and need support,” Wischmeyer said.
Wischmeyer said he plans to be asleep Wednesday evening in his soundproof bedroom and gave thanks to his wife who is a nurse.
He said that in the event he gets startled by the noise of the Fourth of July festivities, his wife knows what to do.
Although Wischmeyer never said he has post-traumatic stress disorder, he said there are many veterans affected by fireworks.
Greg Carrell, assistant state fire marshal, said it’s important to be a good neighbor and be understanding of others.
“Some of those don’t respond well to fireworks. Especially late at night. Think about the elderly. Think about you may have a veteran in your area; that the fireworks do really bother them. Be a good neighbor,” Carrell said.
