COLUMBUS, Ohio — Every year the local VFW Post #9857 on Stelzer Road has a big celebration for the 4th of July. However, this year with COVID-19 continuing to be a concern, they didn’t host their normal event.
“This place, we were closed down since last March through June, and now we recently reopened to have the camaraderie for our brothers and sisters to have a place to come back to, to enjoy each other being veterans of foreign wars, but also to experience the birth of our country for the 4th of July,” VFW Commander Rufus Smith said.
There were a few people who decided to hang out at the VFW for the holiday, and that means a lot to them.
“4th of July without question is the birth of our great country,” Smith said.
“It’s the freedom of our nation, our founding fathers, 13 colonies took on the most powerful nation in the world, England at the time, with the largest navy and largest military and they won. It’s a reflection of the values and the core and the spirit of our country,” said John Brackett, a retired U.S. Army officer.
Brackett comes from a military family.
“I’m second-generation American warfighter. My father served in three wars. I served on active duty in Kuwait, Iran, Iraq and then I returned for 15 more years as a contractor on the battlefield. I’m blessed because I have a son who is a second lieutenant in the United States Army,” Brackett said.
He said for him, it’s been an adjustment to be back home.
“I’m from a different culture. I spent 18 years in Muslim countries, so I’m adjusting even to this day to American culture again,” Brackett said.
As people spend July 4 safely celebrating with their friends or family, for some the day may come with mixed emotions. For some veterans struggling with PTSD, hearing the fireworks may be tough.
“There’s a lot of guys who came back with that struggle with PTSD; people will flashback to experiences that they’ve had in combat. It affects some people, other people it doesn’t. I’m fortunate it does not affect me at all,” Brackett said.
VFW Post #9857 Commander Smith said not everyone sees July 4 in the same way.
“With respect to the fireworks, when you’re in a combat zone, you hear a lot of different noises. You hear loud bangs, you hear loud weapons going off, so fireworks may trigger some memories in regards to where that person was, what was taking place, and they’re still having a challenging time in dealing with and healing those memories at that moment, whether it’s been for some of our Vietnam vets years ago or some veterans who are serving in Afghanistan and Iraq,” Smith said.
However, for some veterans, July 4 doesn’t come with heavy emotions, but Smith said it comes with a sense of pride.
“Most men and women who have had the privilege to serve our country and wear the uniform know that 4th of July is something that’s very, very, very significant. For anybody who knows or understands our country, knows that freedom is not free, you have to pay a sacrifice and for veterans of foreign wars who serve our country during a special time when their country needed them is what it’s all about,” Smith said.
Brackett’s advice for those who may be having a tough time on the holiday or other days is to reach out to others who understand and can help.
“That’s why we have the VFW,” Brackett said.
He said they take care of each other and everyone’s families. He also suggests if the days seem tough, seeking medical help is important and can truly help.
“We all get affected differently, for those who are coming back or still serving who have been in combat I would tell every one of them to go join a VFW in your community, because you have guys who have been through the same thing. We can discuss, we can find you help, we can get you counseling and the VFW clinic here is a fantastic place to start,” Brackett said.
“We should look out for our brothers and sisters every day, and we have to understand we’re all not in the same place. Today is an opportunity for us to take a moment and pause, and give appreciation for our great country and the birth of where we are today, but we should also realize that some men and women who are not here today had to give their lives so we can remain free,” Smith said.