Veterans Services of Door County is trying to make people aware of how fireworks can trigger PTSD in some veterans. Scott McFarlane, the head of Door County Veterans Service, says July 4th can be very difficult for vets. Men and women in combat are trained to react a certain way in order to survive and hearing an unexpected firework can trigger that reaction McFarlane explained. Veterans know that if this is an issue, they can stay away from public fireworks shows. It’s the people firing them off in the backyard or just in the neighborhood that can really trigger a veteran.

McFarlane added if vets are worried they might have PTSD flashbacks, they should contact their vet center counselor. Veterans can also contact the Green Bay Veterans Affairs Office.