Palm | Kelapa Sawit

The armed forces of the United States risks their lives in faraway places that we have never seen in order to protect our country and the people of other countries at the same time. Their lives are dedicated to keeping and spreading freedom around the world. They spend a lot of their time avoiding roadside bombs and dodging bullets, all things that make sudden, loud noises. In part because of these experiences, many soldiers returning home to the United States are afflicted by post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s important to remember, too, that the United States is not the only place on earth where members of the military are fighting for freedom, peace, and the protection of an entire country’s people. And it is also important to remember that American soldiers are not the only military members who leave active warfare and return home to develop post-traumatic stress disorder. This is important because fireworks are not unique to the United States, but are used in countries around the world.

Fireworks can cause “painful memories for veterans home from war,” according to an article on WISTV.com, titled “Banned fireworks give Midlands soldier a PTSD flashback.” Sandler, the author of the article, explained that a soldier with PTSD suffered a flashback attack on the weekend of July 4th when fireworks were set off in his neighborhood. Sandler quoted Army Specialist Chase Brown as saying, “I didn’t really understand what was going on around me because in my mind I wasn’t here. In my mind I was in Iraq.”

It isn’t that fireworks should be completely banned and that no one should be allowed to enjoy them on the Fourth of July, for Olympic celebrations, and on other holidays. But shooting off illegal fireworks in residential areas can cause a lot of emotional distress to others, especially veterans who have risked their lives for the very people in their neighborhood. Out of courtesy, we should think about who we might be affecting before we act.

Read Sandler’s article at http://www.wistv.com/global/story.asp?s=10673793

Posted by (Abdulelah Alruwaished)