Posted on Jul 5, 2015
COL Charles Williams
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In Missouri, especially around here, people are fireworks crazy, so last night these signs (the concept, as I have not seen any around here) were even more funny; sound like "shock and awe" around our home. So, I am getting... Real tired of this...

WWI, WW2, Korea, Vietnam, etc... Didn't complain.. To me, These are just more posers and attention seekers.

But, this sign (meme, I think?) is really accurate... It about covers my thoughts, as does the author....

"No, I'm not saying every last veteran with these signs is full of crap (although my tone sure suggests it). Nor am I saying PTSD doesn't cause real, verifiable problems and sensitivities to things like fireworks. I am saying, however, that our personal problems are not the general public's responsibility. If we have issues we need to handle them ourselves, not expect our communities to change their behavior for us.

Every veteran who handles his issues wins a victory that helps us all. Every veteran who embraces victimhood and displays a sense of entitlement reinforces damaging stereotypes that hurt us all. So burn those stupid fucking signs, light some fireworks, and be grateful that your neighbors still celebrate our independence the way we have for over two hundred years."

Have fun!

http://www.breachbangclear.com/signs-of-veteran-entitlement/
Posted in these groups: 78568930 PTSDSatirecov Satire
Edited 9 y ago
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PO1 John Miller
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Edited 9 y ago
COL Charles Williams, while I haven't personally seen these signs except for on Rally Point and Facebook, I agree with you. I've noticed that those with real, documented PTSD don't wear it like a medal. They will discuss it if asked, but they don't advertise it nor do they try to get sympathy for it/try to "milk" it.
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PO1 John Miller
PO1 John Miller
9 y
COL Charles Williams, I think all of my responses here from PV2 (Join to see), SSG Keith Cashion, and MAJ Matthew Arnold prove that those with PTSD (particularly if it was caused by combat) don't need signs.

Now with that said COL Charles Williams, I'm getting tired of all your posts! :>) (That was a joke in case it didn't translate well over the Internet)
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MSgt Aerospace Propulsion
MSgt (Join to see)
9 y
I've been in the AF for 22 years. I've got a double amputee (very young) Marine that lives near me. His wife politely came by our house prior to the 4th and asked if we would be doing fire works. I told her that we wouldn't and she explained why she was asking. She didn't want any signs, but was definitely looking to protect her husband from any more pain. I think the biggest question is how we decipher who's BS'ing and who isn't when it comes to proclaiming they have PTSD. Anyone doing that for sympathy is just plain wrong.....kinda along the lines of stolen valor?
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COL Charles Williams
COL Charles Williams
9 y
MSgt (Join to see) - Thanks very good comments. I kinda see it in the same light... along the lines... Thank you again.
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PO1 John Miller
PO1 John Miller
9 y
ENS Jeremy Medlen, maybe your friend could take that into consideration? Meaning that the week leading up to the Fourth he should expect to hear fireworks? No disrespect intended, I'm just trying to make a suggestion that will help him to avoid triggering his PTSD.
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Capt Seid Waddell
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COL Charles Williams, roger that, sir. These signs only make veterans look like whimpering wimps at best, and unstable threats to society at worst. They would do better if they would just suck it up and act like soldiers - or if they cannot do that, get noise cancelling headsets and stay in the basement for the night.

If they really cannot be around loud noises perhaps they should look into other controlled living arrangements until they can get it together – for their own safety and for that of their neighbors.
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COL Charles Williams
COL Charles Williams
9 y
Capt Seid Waddell Hooah. I agree. Thank you.
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PO1 Kerry French
PO1 Kerry French
9 y
YEAH!!!
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CDR Terry Boles
CDR Terry Boles
9 y
I know everyone handles life's disturbances differently, some can handle the stresses, some cannot. I entered the Navy at the tail end of Vietnam and was around a lot of vets of that time who were in the heat of combat, although PTSD was alive and well vets for the most part were able to deal with it. Today's vets makes me wonder if its an attention seeking means or did we raise a generation of all about me kiddos that served this nation. I'm not sure!
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Capt Seid Waddell
Capt Seid Waddell
9 y
CDR (Servicemember), there is one major difference between the Viet Nam era and today - the number of deployments for each individual. Then it was uncommon to have two tours and very rare to have three; today multiple tours is the norm and the soldiers are more stressed as a result.

I agree with you however that PTSD is a highly individual thing; I have known men that saw a lot of action and handled it fine while others that did not see as much action did not do as well afterwards.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
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Edited 9 y ago
Hope you had a great 4th sir. It's a tough call because PTSD affects everyone differently. I agree that the particular sign you show is over the top. and that some are using these signs to attract attention and sympathy. My best guess and I apologize if this comes across the wrong way, is that most PTSD sufferers aren't out there to label themselves and draw attention to themselves in this manner. I don't think anyone would suffer in silence but they also wouldn't broadcast the fact this boldly. I think every group PTSD, racial, gender, etc. is going to have their outspoken vocal activists that bring less than flattering attention to everyone else in the group. The dead horse is a galloping this way.
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SFC Jeremy Stocker
SFC Jeremy Stocker
9 y
Well said.
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COL Charles Williams
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SFC Combat Engineer
SFC (Join to see)
9 y
Well said!! I couldn't agree more!!
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