Many Iowans will enjoy fireworks over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, but for some, hearing the loud booms and seeing the bright lights can bring on a different feeling.  Leo Kaalberg, a veteran who served in Iraq, says he was involved in “countless” mortar attacks and was hit by an IED. He’s been out of the service for 8 years now, but every time he hears the loud noises from fireworks it brings back terrifying memories.

“The first couple years I would jump in bushes, I would duck under my table, I would hide myself in the bedroom during the night when most of them were going off,” said Kaalberg. He told KCRG-TV that this time of the year is “still very stressful” as fireworks are going off almost every night of the week.

Kaalberg says he know he’s not the only veteran who struggles with the issue and he’s asking Iowans to simply be considerate of those suffering from PTSD this time of year.

(Radio Iowa)