Fourth of July Fireworks Can Be Traumatic to Combat Veterans

Every year around the Fourth of July, we are reminded to keep our pets safe because it's the one day out of the year that the most animals go missing.

But there's someone else you should be mindful of this holiday weekend: veterans returning from Iraq or Afghanistan.

My cousin Nathan Button, who is currently in the Army, served two tours in Afghanistan. While on foot patrol during his first deployment he was ambushed on a road that they called "no man's road." His unit took heavy fire and two soldiers, one of whom was Nathan's good friend, were shot. Nathan's friend later passed away.

This, combined with getting mortared every day, has made watching fireworks difficult for Nathan. Even something as innocent as a water balloon fight or a car backfiring can affect a combat vet.

Nathan tries to go watch fireworks with his family, but usually he can only stay for a little while before he just has to leave.

Please don't misunderstand what the message is -- you can still shoot fireworks off, just be mindful. Don't fire them late at night when a combat vet could be sleeping or close by their house and certainly don't surprise them!

I can't even begin to imagine what those combat vets witnessed and went through, but I will do my best to show them respect. It's the very least I can do for their service.

I'm so very proud of Nathan and love him along with his family dearly. In my eyes he is a true hero.

You can learn more at militarywithptsd.com.