Posted on Jun 30, 2015
PTSD sign for Forth of July: Are we going to far?
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Lately I have seen this pop up way too much. First, I have a serious issue with those that claim PTSD for little more watching a movie or hearing a war story. This website that makes the PTSD sign was called out by, http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=60565 , for making up PTSD claims. To make it worse this guy is making money by selling these signs.
I don't need to share my experience with PTSD. I have rode that ride. If you run into a guy claiming how bad their PTSD is then you will often find one that is embellishing or bagging for attention. It isn't think that I like to bring up and when I do it is with the ones that know what it is like.
Now a days many Veterans want to be put on a pedestal. I don't want your sympathy or your sorrow. I just want to be like everyone else, a productive citizen. I don't need to be treated with soft gloves or some preference. I didn't ask for that and I don't expect it.
These signs are doing more harm than good. It makes people think that you can't even make a loud sound around a Vet without them snapping. If fireworks are really an issue then I would ask you to seek hope and visit your neighbors in person and let them know if your concerns. What I don't want is to ruin my neighbors weekend by preventing them to celebrate it how they seem fit.
Do you have one of these signs? Are they really just a grab for attention? Is it be or are we glorifying our veteran status? Last of all, how many of these veterans do you think are exaggerating their PTSD claims? I have seen my share of some serious cases. I have never known one to put up a PTSD sign in their yard or advertise their PTSD.
I don't need to share my experience with PTSD. I have rode that ride. If you run into a guy claiming how bad their PTSD is then you will often find one that is embellishing or bagging for attention. It isn't think that I like to bring up and when I do it is with the ones that know what it is like.
Now a days many Veterans want to be put on a pedestal. I don't want your sympathy or your sorrow. I just want to be like everyone else, a productive citizen. I don't need to be treated with soft gloves or some preference. I didn't ask for that and I don't expect it.
These signs are doing more harm than good. It makes people think that you can't even make a loud sound around a Vet without them snapping. If fireworks are really an issue then I would ask you to seek hope and visit your neighbors in person and let them know if your concerns. What I don't want is to ruin my neighbors weekend by preventing them to celebrate it how they seem fit.
Do you have one of these signs? Are they really just a grab for attention? Is it be or are we glorifying our veteran status? Last of all, how many of these veterans do you think are exaggerating their PTSD claims? I have seen my share of some serious cases. I have never known one to put up a PTSD sign in their yard or advertise their PTSD.
PTSD
Fireworks
4th of July
Celebration
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 18
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Those with it, don't want it and sure as hell aint gonna to advertise it.
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CPT (Join to see)
That is what I would say. Now a days it is a something that is bragged about and advertised. So many people that claim to have it really are exaggerating. I have no problem with calling out another Vet. Some people see more bleed and gore when they see a car accident and it doesn't phase them. But if you deployed to a base in the Middle East they think you are supposed to have PTSD when you come back. Some gladly claim that for attention.
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SSG Keith Cashion
Great response CSM Uhlig. Would be more than happy to share, but not to many want it.
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SSG Keith Cashion
LT you are correct...some will ride the band wagon (Forgive the Sarcasism) and want a lot of attention. Some will deal with it the best way they know how. Like many have said, in the world we live in today, PTSD is a money maker. Don't get me wrong, those that have been diagnosed correctly, and know how to handle, are usually the ones that you would never really know had it.
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YESSSS!!!! We are... CPT (Join to see) CSM Michael J. Uhlig TSgt Joshua Copeland
Thanks for the post! And for your service!
Vietnam Vets, Korean Vets, WWI vets never asked for such nonsense, as far as I can remember, or Greneda, Panama, Somalia, Desert Storm etc... I personally think far too many people are jumping on this bandwagon...
I am veteran, have PTSD, and TBI, and I call BS on this. Many of the folks who proffer this message, have no reason to. I hear many war stories, and most times I have found those who talk the most have done the least. I was blown up more than once, and around many IEDS, Rocket and Mortar Attacks; including many combat causalities. Yes, when I came home the last time (each time), I was jumpy... but it passes.
If this bothers you, than stay in your house, or don't go see fireworks.
Thanks for the post! And for your service!
Vietnam Vets, Korean Vets, WWI vets never asked for such nonsense, as far as I can remember, or Greneda, Panama, Somalia, Desert Storm etc... I personally think far too many people are jumping on this bandwagon...
I am veteran, have PTSD, and TBI, and I call BS on this. Many of the folks who proffer this message, have no reason to. I hear many war stories, and most times I have found those who talk the most have done the least. I was blown up more than once, and around many IEDS, Rocket and Mortar Attacks; including many combat causalities. Yes, when I came home the last time (each time), I was jumpy... but it passes.
If this bothers you, than stay in your house, or don't go see fireworks.
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CPT (Join to see)
It is more to do with getting attention. It is "HEY LOOK AT ME I NEED ATTENTION" sign. Just as you have most of these war stories aren't even war stories. Some of these so called "PTSD sufferers" have never left a base, fired at an enemy, seen an IED, or even been present during an attack. I recall when our JSS was shut down in Baghdad and we had to move to a FOB to the south. We got there and you would often hear IEDs going off in sector. You would think the soldiers on the base were knee deep in it. They acted like it was a close call. They never left the base or were near any IEDs but they had the best war stories.
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COL Charles Williams
CPT (Join to see) -16th MP Brigade (Abn) HQ (more than once) occupied VBC 112 in the middles of lost lake, surrounded on three sides by Baghdad and Route Irish... During the LSR/RSR we had stray bullet bouncing off the walls and pinging around inside... Many days automatic weapons fire go from one side to other (we just happened to be in the middle). Folks would come there (area), just to try and get CAB... We had a crew sitting a bus stop.... Who wrote up a CAB for the rocket that hit the lake 200 meters away - they said it was 25... People are crazy, and the ones that talk the most have seen the least (in most every case), and people that have seen the most generally don't brag about it. "Hey, look at me!"
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To quote MOH awardee Sgt Dakota Meyer...
*image edited to blur out profanity
*image edited to blur out profanity
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The self-victimization of veterans is the biggest cancer in the community right now, followed by veterans who embellish their service. Usually the two go hand in hand. Are there veterans who suffer from PTSD/TBI? Yeah- but the 85% who yap about it (with their operator beard, operator cap, and operator tuxedo on) on social media ruin it for the rest.
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CPT (Join to see)
I totally agree. I see so many guys out there that are wanna be operators it just about makes it embarrassing to say that I am a veteran also. Sure, I have a hat a couple shirts. Some of my old units but then you have claiming to be pipe hitters or some billy bad ass. Then when you ask them what they did you find out they were an Admin specialist or a water purifier with one deployment to Kuwait. I am tired of this crap too.
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A Vet with PTSD can tell if another has it because of their mannerisms. it never needs discussion
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Fireworks don't sound like military grade explosives or gunfire. The only people I've met who support this fireworks bullshit are fakers who claim PTSD without having ever been in combat.
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CPT (Join to see)
I have pretty much found the same to be true. It is not always the case but there are more that really just want attention. Just like the owner of the webpage that sells the signs.
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LCDR (Join to see)
Facts. The last guy I heard make the claim also showed his baseball cap he claimed to be wearing when a sniper bullet went through it, supposedly causing a 3" diameter hole. Because dudes wear ballcaps in country and bullets are 3" wide. I cannot describe my hate for that type of person. And yeah, I do know for a fact that dude has never been in combat, but tells Rambo stories about all the good men he lost.
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LCDR (Join to see)
The guys who've been most vocal about having PTSD usually don't have anything but a pathological need for attention and a service record with no mention of combat. I've never actually seen a combat vet ask someone not to celebrate, or change their lives in any way. I don't doubt it can startle someone, but most combat vets aren't whiners. I don't know if that observation matches anything you've seen.
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I tend to see it as "humble bragging" but reserve judgment on individuals as I don't have the experience to really connect with the problem.
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Each to his own ... It should be more of an issue of those exploiting it, either for their self or just for personal gain over those that do have PTSD.
I never thought I had PTSD the entire time during my service; but after retirement I sought counseling for (what I thought was) anger management and drinking (Non VA counseling) only to have my therapist have me open Pandora's box and dump everything on the table in one jumbled mess. Needless to say the past affect of PTSD hit me like a brick wall, it had me think about everything 24/7. I now see VA counseling and attend a weekly SIT Group for PTSD (Stress Inoculation Training) were we learn how to somewhat desensitize our trigger and not let everyday things affect us. We have VETs from Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Somalia, OIF, OEF, and all branches of services.
As for saying that PTSD is not affected by fireworks is a personal opinion ... will the little fingers poppers be an issue maybe not. I can speak from personal experience if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time ... Disney World near display at launch the sound wasn't as intense and as the "smell" ... it took hug from my daughter to help bring me back.
Enough about my soapbox ... things change once you leave the service, you don't always have that next objective or next mission to allow you to forget about the last.
I never thought I had PTSD the entire time during my service; but after retirement I sought counseling for (what I thought was) anger management and drinking (Non VA counseling) only to have my therapist have me open Pandora's box and dump everything on the table in one jumbled mess. Needless to say the past affect of PTSD hit me like a brick wall, it had me think about everything 24/7. I now see VA counseling and attend a weekly SIT Group for PTSD (Stress Inoculation Training) were we learn how to somewhat desensitize our trigger and not let everyday things affect us. We have VETs from Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Somalia, OIF, OEF, and all branches of services.
As for saying that PTSD is not affected by fireworks is a personal opinion ... will the little fingers poppers be an issue maybe not. I can speak from personal experience if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time ... Disney World near display at launch the sound wasn't as intense and as the "smell" ... it took hug from my daughter to help bring me back.
Enough about my soapbox ... things change once you leave the service, you don't always have that next objective or next mission to allow you to forget about the last.
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Review the evidence presented by this slideshow concerning this organization. I would not give them one red cent. http://www.slideshare.net/opnovetfraud?utm_campaign=profiletracking&utm_medium=sssite&utm_source=ssslideview
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I have PTSD, it has never had me. I recognized I needed some help for it before things got totally out of control in my life. It is just one of those things that comes with doing what we do. In regards to the 4th of July, I love it! As a Soldier and a Patriot, how could you not love celebrating this holiday? We all know that when the sun begins to set, fireworks are part of the festivities. Knowing this, I've never had a problem, nor have I ever met a fellow Vet who legitimately has PTSD who has ever claimed an issue with fireworks on the 4th. The ones that startle are the random blasts on a random night when nothing is going on; the kid down the street with a couple of M-80s that rattle your windows - those are the ones that get you. It is disconcerting to see someone exploiting combat-related PTSD for what is most likely personal gain. This is not helping any of us - it is only further stigmatizing us.
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CPT (Join to see)
Indeed. 10 dollars for two signs is a pretty good business with all the attention it is getting.
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