Posted on Jul 1, 2015
What do you think Dakota Meyer's (MOH recipient) statement on veterans and fireworks?
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I added a photo of what Dakota M. Was talking about. Please be respectful when responding to the question this is not a competition to see who is the toughest guy/girl. I just ask that we respect each other and have a spirited and educated discussion nothing more I hope this question is thought provoking and nothing more.
Fireworks
PTSD
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 16
Suspended Profile
Good intent....poor judgement.....and use of profanity makes all of us look bad.
SSG Ike Phelan
Short and to the point thank you for the response.
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Being awarded the MOH does not entitle one to additional mental capacity or intelligence. That being said, there are many ways in which we, as veterans, deal with the trauma that each of us has had to endure throughout our lives. One of the methods of coping, specifically for myself, was bold and tough. However, that is truly not a full measure of personality or mindset. In reality, each of us knows just how much we can deal with before we break, some more aware than others but none the less true. So to wear a shirt or cap or some ink to represent how we feel or want to feel, that too is a method of coping. The fact that a vet is aware that the fireworks make him or her uncomfortable has absolutely nothing to do with how they feel an hour earlier proudly wearing a DV T-shirt!
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SGT Joseph Goldman
SSG Ryan R. - Honestly, I have no idea what TFE stands for so I cannot address that. We all have to practice restraint when in the public eye such as Facebook or TV. I am definitely not of his stature or deserving of his respect and I should practice what I preach. You are correct at that! However, someone with his position needs to be careful because of the public view. That is all.
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SGT Joseph Goldman
I can handle a good debate so, well done, Agreed! Question, What happens when that comment does make national media attention? Should we not then stand and protect our brother or for that matter, prevent the issue first by being careful in the public eye?
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SSG Ike Phelan
SSG Ryan R. -
Let's get one thing squared away real quick SSG RYAN you are real good at being the tough guy working at cyber security talking shit to a MP so I can see how you do not get the whole PTSD thing since there is not a lot of action behind a desk SGT Goldman on the other hand was or is an MP so he would have a better grasp of the question. You don't need to try and out tough guy him which is what it seems like you are trying to do from were I sit but hey if I am wrong them feel free to tell me the need to try and say SGT comes from the every one needs a trophy generation
Let's get one thing squared away real quick SSG RYAN you are real good at being the tough guy working at cyber security talking shit to a MP so I can see how you do not get the whole PTSD thing since there is not a lot of action behind a desk SGT Goldman on the other hand was or is an MP so he would have a better grasp of the question. You don't need to try and out tough guy him which is what it seems like you are trying to do from were I sit but hey if I am wrong them feel free to tell me the need to try and say SGT comes from the every one needs a trophy generation
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A MOH with no sensitivity or professionalism. He should volunteer and go down to the local VA and help Vets with Chronic PTSD and stop being an arrogant asshole! Respect your fellow man!
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SSG Ike Phelan
I think as a former marine he can voice what ever opinion he wants but when they pinned that medal on him he accepted the task of rising above comments or posts like the one here. A lot of people have strong opinions about this and I say to each his own it may just be me but I have a lot of respect for anyone who is honored with the MOH but I lost a little bit of personal respect for him as a vet. If vets don't take care of each other no one is going to the government and the VA have proved this multiple times thru out our history. Thanks for responding to the question.
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SFC Jason Porter
I have never heard a MOH recipient ever coming out and say anything negative about anything until. I read the above piece you posted! I respect the award not the man. It saddens me....look at America today it's crap.... and for him to put down fellow service members with serious mental a emotional problems to me is unbelievable. But SSG. Phelan I agree everyone as their own take on this.
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I haven't walked a mile in their shoes, but I would think if you know that fireworks are a trigger, then you would take the 4th as an opportunity to take a vacation up in the woods someplace quiet.
Fireworks don't bother me, but they sure send my dog into a "the best defense is a good offense" mode and he spends the weekend bouncing off the walls, so they're pretty annoying for me. That doesn't give me the right to tell the rest of the neighborhood to not celebrate.
Fireworks don't bother me, but they sure send my dog into a "the best defense is a good offense" mode and he spends the weekend bouncing off the walls, so they're pretty annoying for me. That doesn't give me the right to tell the rest of the neighborhood to not celebrate.
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I agree with SGT Meyer. There are ways those whose PTSD is triggered by fireworks can deal with it other than asking their neighbors not to set them (fireworks) off.
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SSG Ike Phelan
Agreed I personally think this was probably started by a care giver I do not know but I just wish that so many vets did not use it as a crutch especially on a holiday that celebrates what we Fight for. I can see some care givers doing this for those vets that are extremely mentally disabled but not for the vets that still have their mental faculties under control does that make sense to you?
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PO1 John Miller
SSG Ike Phelan
It makes total sense to me brother! I look at it this way. Not everyone with PTSD has it to the same degree nor do they all share the same "triggers."
If a person with PTSD is concerned that fireworks may trigger theirs, simply remove yourself from that situation if possible.
It makes total sense to me brother! I look at it this way. Not everyone with PTSD has it to the same degree nor do they all share the same "triggers."
If a person with PTSD is concerned that fireworks may trigger theirs, simply remove yourself from that situation if possible.
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