It’s over, thank goodness. The July 4 weekend, I’m saying. I know how some people will take this – they’ll read a few words, ignore the rest, and decide YOU HATE AMERICA – but for many of us the buildup to July 4 has become something not to celebrate, but to endure, thanks to exploding fireworks throughout the neighborhood.
For me, my concern about July 4 is only my dog being terrorized by fireworks. And I write the words “only my dog” as if I wouldn’t take a bullet for him. I would. And that doesn’t make me special – it makes me a dog owner. Lots of you would do the same for your dog.
For others, their concern on July 4 is more personal: for a parent, spouse, sibling, child. They’re devastated that a neighbor’s exploding fireworks will trigger the PTSD in their loved one. And they’re heartbroken – and angry – that the people around them, the people around us, are aware that fireworks are traumatizing … but just don’t care.
I wrote about the cruelty, yes cruelty, of July 4 fireworks before the holiday weekend, knowing it wouldn’t change the world, but believing it’s an important message to share. On social media, where people with no clue have all the answers, they were mostly dismissive.
On my IndyStar text group, people were universally supportive. Some had never thought about it until now. Others were in the same position as me, dreading the arrival of July 4 because of the noise involved.
And one man had a story to tell.
Doyel: Your July 4 fireworks don’t feel like freedom to US veterans with PTSD
Sacrifice your July 4 fireworks for US veteran with PTSD
From: Ron D.
Thank you. I’m a 79-year-old Vietnam combat veteran with PTSD. For me, sounds can take me back to a place I don’t want to go.
My first July 4th back was in 1968. I was at a party, and I knew there would be fireworks. So you prepare yourself. When the party was over, I was leaving with my wife. One of my friends thought it would be funny to toss a little firecracker at my feet. I didn’t see it.
Next thing I was aware of … I was in the shrubs, frantically trying to find my rifle. Embarrassed, and angry, and one less friend.
Sorry for the long story. Good to tell someone.
Thank you sir, for your service then and your honesty now. I can’t imagine someone reading that and not swearing off personal fireworks forever – but then, I don’t understand a lot of people in this world.
From: J. Dalla, on social media
Wow aren’t we some Karens.
I don’t understand you at all.
From: Randy R.
I don’t light up the night or day with fireworks; seems stupid at my age. But when I was younger and dumber? I’d never thought once about this situation for so many people. Until just now. Thanks for informing your readers. I don’t blast, but I have grandchildren who want to and I will talk to their parents.
Love this so much Randy. Thank you for your open mind.
From: Jerry R.
It’s suffering for me. I am 100% disabled. I have PTSD. Vietnam veteran .
I’m sorry Jerry. I’m sorry for what you faced then, and have to endure now. And I’m sorry that your sacrifice is dishonored by people like this next dude who responded to my column on social media by telling me…
From: Cam R.
Dude move to North Korea we don’t want you here anymore you are human garbage.
More July 4 responses
From: Matthew G.
As a veteran of the OIF/OEF era, I can confidently say there is a veteran in your neighborhood whose heart rate will intensify and anxiety will set in when they hear an unexpected firework. The 4th of July is never the same for a service member who experiences combat.
From: Stephen B.
Fireworks don’t bother me, nor did they bother my veteran father. But I know people it bothers a lot. And our dog has to go on tranquilizers for several days this time of year. It got worse last year when July 4th was six weeks after a tree fell on our house. Big booms got seriously traumatizing.
From: Keith P.
Thanks for bringing up this topic for the world of non-veterans to see. I am a Vietnam veteran who mercifully hasn’t experienced PTSD, but know others who have. Life is challenging enough for these guys without aggravating memories of trauma in combat. Appreciate your thoughtful article.
From: Chris B.
My husband spent a year and a day in Viet Nam. He is one of the lucky ones, if having fought in a war with no PTSD is lucky.
From: Michael A.
Sadly, I’m guessing the majority of your readers will not be affected enough to change their plans for backyard fireworks. A lot of people are all about their “personal freedoms” to the total exclusion of others’ personal freedoms. We live in a ME world that could never endure personal sacrifice for the benefit of others.
From: Cathy R.
The fireworks column is powerful. I live in a neighborhood with a lot of veterans. Someone in the neighborhood just east of us is a fireworks nut. Every year as I lay in bed and grit my teeth because I can’t sleep, I worry that my veteran neighbors are traumatized.
From: Andrew P.
Hey Gregg, as a veteran I want to say thank you for this. I served during OIF/OEF. The 4th is just a weird holiday for those that are dealing with PTSD and other associated mental illnesses. On the one hand, we love our country deeply. On the other, some celebrations can put folks right back in a moment where TBMs are incoming, or an IED is exploding under your Humvee and leaving you changed forever. Thank you for writing about this. I don’t expect it will change a lot of folks’ behaviors. Empathy is in short supply these days. But I hope it does.
From: Lisa R.
I used to do fireworks at the house too – until I saw what it did to my 125-pound German shepherd. Took a look at that and never did it again. HOWEVER, SO MANY PEOPLE in and around my ‘hood do.
Individuals will never make that decisions themselves. It will have to be Indiana writing a law banning them! The way they repealed a ban back in 2006! In a time so many people could give a rat’s ass about others, no way it’ll suddenly change. But hey, ya, ‘Merica!”
WNBA not appreciating Fever’s Caitlin Clark
The Caitlin Clark conversation just goes and goes.
Buy Indiana Fever tickets!
The latest? The WNBA – the league and, yes, some players – don’t seem to value its most important player. Like her, don’t like her, whatever: Every person who draws a paycheck from the WNBA benefits from Clark’s presence with the Fever. When are people going to start behaving that way?
Doyel: WNBA better protect Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark, its most important player
From: Kevin S.
Just finished your Caitlin Clark piece. Dead on. She can walk away if they don’t do the right things. She can be hard to watch at times, but she’s also too good to ignore. Colts QB Andrew Luck did it. He got tired of being hurt; she’ll get tired of being abused. Silly people and their jealousy and hubris crapping up the best situation they’ll ever be in.
From: Chris G.
I have mixed feelings about Caitlin Clark. She’s the most important player in the WNBA. However, she’s not even a top-5 player. She is a great scorer and passer, but in my opinion a terrible defender. It really must be hard carrying a league that doesn’t appreciate you.
From: Bill S.
I might add that race is also a factor in this equation. I think for some, her race is part of her attraction and some of the reason of the explosive rise of interest in the WNBA. I can understand why some players, especially people of color, would find this a bit insulting.
On Pacers, Brendan Sorsby, IU football
The Pacers did nothing enormous this offseason – their most interesting move was trading into the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft to add Purdue’s Braden Smith – but they did get better.
The Indiana football team did nothing enormous this offseason – the Hoosiers didn’t add Brendan Sorsby in the transfer portal – but they could have! Seriously, IU football coach Curt Cignetti took a look at Sorsby, who played briefly for Tom Allen in 2022 and ’23 before transferring to Cincinnati and becoming a star. But Cignetti prioritized TCU’s Josh Hoover over Sorsby, and the rest (Sorsby’s gambling suspension and NFL supplemental draft saga) is history.
Doyel: While some NBA teams chugged beer and swung from chandeliers, Pacers got better
Doyel: Brendan Sorsby dragged down Texas Tech, but it could’ve been … IU???
From: Dan M.
I sure hope you’re right about the Pacers.
Generally speaking, I am. Mostly. On occasion.
From: Chris G.
I would like to think if Sorsby was at IU, as soon as the gambling broke Coach Cig would have dropped him from the program. I guess we will never know. Part of me feels very sorry for Sorsby because of his gambling addiction, but you can’t bet on your own team ever.
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Not printing this
From: Dave A.
Thank you for writing the fireworks piece, Gregg. Saw it in my print edition of the Star. It should have been on the paper’s front page – the Star should have put it right up front – because this is an issue more people need to be thinking about.
I don’t know if you were in Indiana when “real” fireworks were more difficult to obtain – when it was illegal to do so – but it was a quieter, safer environment back then. I’m not saying it was perfect, but Indiana making it legal to purchase them has been a nightmare. And the fireworks lobby (there’s a fireworks lobby?!) is far too powerful.
Your point about the timing of traditional fireworks shows is important, too: When you know the agreed-upon time for fireworks shows, and everyone abides by it, you can brace for it. But Average Joe shooting off his Roman Candles and M-80s whenever he wants? Simply inconsiderate and reckless. But what else is new in this day and age?
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Doyel: Vietnam vet shares fireworks story. If this doesn’t change behavior, nothing will
Reporting by Gregg Doyel, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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By Gregg Doyel, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
