VA Doctors: Fireworks can trigger PTSD in Veterans

A holiday that is meant to celebrate freedom won by the sacrifices of our military, is often one of the least favorite for veterans.

With 4th of July less than one week away, many people are getting ready to celebrate with fireworks. But for some families with retired veterans, those unexpected booms can turn the holiday into a time of fear.

It's a growing concern Dr. Michael Lambert with the Amarillo VA, says he sees especially during this time of year."Think of what they've given for us. We enjoy the fireworks but the explosions they saw were real," he told us.

VA Doctors estimate that around 30% of our veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan are impacted by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, orPTSD's.

It's something Lynz Piper-Loomis knows all too well. Her husband, Ret. MSgt. Jeremy Loomis, medically retired from the Air Force after serving for more than 16 years. Her husband has been home since 2009, but an unexpected firework pop can take him back in just seconds. "It's heart wrenching, it's devastating. In that moment he thinks he back where he was fighting and it triggers some pretty deep emotions and deep memories," Piper-Loomis said.

Local VA Doctors say similar reactions are common among many veterans, especially those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. "If the trauma was related to an explosion or a fire fight, all of those were unexpected blasts that fireworks is a pretty close resemblance," Lambert said.

And while many of us may enjoy letting one of those fire crackers fly, Dr. Lambert says the 4th can be a very difficult holiday for veterans.

"Fire works are fun. They are meant to celebrate something special, our nations birth, and it's a patriotic thing. But where there is a lot of people, or there may be veterans that you know, it may be respectful to discuss it with them or move your fireworks further out," he added.