Loud fireworks can make Independence Day tough for veterans with PTSD. Here鈥檚 how to help

In The NoCo

Loud fireworks can make Independence Day tough for veterans with PTSD. Here鈥檚 how to help

By In The NoCo,

Erin O'Toole, Brad Turner

Published July 2, 2025 at 5:35 AM MDT

Ways To Subscribe

A colorful burst of fireworks sends out streaks of gold, orange, red and blue against a dark blue night sky

For a lot of veterans, Independence Day can be a hard day.鈥€�

Celebrating America鈥檚 birthday typically comes with loud, colorful blasts of fireworks. We don鈥檛 talk about it a lot, but for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, that can be a struggle. It can remind veterans of combat or other traumatic experiences from their time in the military.鈥�

Helping veterans cope with PTSD is the specialty of Dr. Mandy Rabenhorst-Bell. She is the PTSD program manager with the serving Eastern Colorado.

Mandy spoke with Erin O鈥橳oole ahead of Independence Day last year about what the holiday can be like for those with PTSD, and how . We鈥檙e listening back to that conversation today.

Find more for PTSD from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Dr. Mandy Rabenhorst Bell stands in front of a harbor wearing a green shirt, a blue denim jacket, and a blue bag slung over her shoulder. — Independence Day fireworks can be an unwelcome reminder of combat and trauma for some veterans with PTSD, says Dr. Mandy Rabenhorst Bell, PTSD Program Manager for VA Eastern Colorado Health Care system.

Tags

In The NoCo Veterans Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Independence Day (4th of July)U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

In The NoCo

KUNC's In The NoCo is a daily slice of stories, news, people and issues. It's a window to the communities along the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The show brings context and insight to the stories of the day, often elevating unheard voices in the process. And because life in Northern Colorado is a balance of work and play, we celebrate the lighter side of things here, too.

See stories by In The NoCo

Erin O'Toole

As the host of KUNC鈥檚 new program and podcast In the NoCo, I work closely with our producers and reporters to bring context and diverse perspectives to the important issues of the day. Northern Colorado is such a diverse and growing region, brimming with history, culture, music, education, civic engagement, and amazing outdoor recreation. I love finding the stories and voices that reflect what makes NoCo such an extraordinary place to live.

See stories by Erin O'Toole

Brad Turner

Brad Turner is an executive producer in KUNC's newsroom. He manages the podcast team that makes In The NoCo, which also airs weekdays in Morning Edition and All Things Considered. His work as a podcaster and journalist has appeared on NPR's Weekend Edition, NPR Music, the PBS 暗黑爆料hour, Colorado Public Radio, MTV Online, the Denver Post, Boulder's Daily Camera, and the Longmont Times-Call.

See stories by Brad Turner