[westnlas]

Any of you guys get "upset" over the 4th ?

I admit the mortars do it to me, even after all this time.

[smearcase]

It is understandable that 4th of July celebrations might bother some veterans, but it is also an honor for veterans that battles that happened many years ago are still remembered by the citizens of the U.S. For many Americans, the fireworks displays are a salute to veterans.

[Fr_Chuck]

Bothered ? By a time to be proud of your nation, of the people who were brave enough to be considered traitors and to over turn an oppressive government. The people who often suffered great loss to secure the freedoms and rights we have. And to further honor other soldiers who have in the past and still today fight to keep those freedom for us, it is one of the days I am most proud to be a an American and to be a Vet.

[westnlas]

You guys misunderstood what I meant by bothered. It's a much more personal thing than the celebration. I was referring to a recurrence of flashbacks and that sort of thing. It's not discussed publicly or even at the VA clinics much. I thought with the anonymous aspect of the internet, there might be others who knew what I meant.

I regret asking. And won't repeat this mistake

Sorry

[startover22]

You guys misunderstood what I meant by bothered. It's a much more personal thing than the celebration. I was referring to a recurrence of flashbacks and that sort of thing. It's not discussed publicly or even at the VA clinics much. I thought with the anonymous aspect of the internet, there might be others who knew what I meant.

I regret asking. And won't repeat this mistake

Sorry

I understood what you meant. I know to this day, my Father, Grandpa, and two of my brothers still have never shared some of the stories that stay as deep as they let them go. They will never talk out loud about some of the things that happened to them or their friends and foe, in fact even their enemies. I agree that in this day to come we should be thankful and celebrate, but with every time we celebrate and that anniversary arrives, I am positive they think back to the memories. I want to share my gratitude... to all who serve(d), THANK YOU.

(For me, one who has never had to endure, or feel the pain or heavy burden of those types of memories, I want to tell you all, I have no idea how you feel, but wish I could take some of that burden from you, and by celebrating what you fought for, I feel as if I support you!)

[N0help4u]

I understood what you meant. That is sad in a way that a day meant to honor our country and military can have the opposite effect. My favorite day is the 4th and I get right under the firework barge. I love thinking of the side of America that we seem to be losing to political crapola. I love the military people and that they are willing to serve our country.

[startover22]

We can't help but to think of the bad... along with the good. It is our human nature... even my birthday reminds me of some bad times, this is totally natural, it doesn't mean we don't celebrate the fact that I lived another year. (I know I can't compare a birthday with July 4th, it was just an example.)
We keep celebrating... we have to keep the Love of America alive!

[J_9]

I know many vets who will forgo the formal fireworks and the pomp and circumstance due to PSTD. The mortars just bring back too many memories.

In my family we celebrate (my father in law was in Hanoi Hilton), by spending the day as a family picnicing and the like, swimming, cooking out, etc. The fireworks are done at home after "Pop" has gone back home for the evening so as not to upset him.

My children understand, as I have taken them to some professional fireworks, and choose to stay home and celebrate with "Pop."