When our veterans return home, their war is far from over. For many of our brave men and women, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a battle they fight everyday and night. In the case of Army combat veteran Mike Kreft, PTSD triggered by fireworks lead him to take his own life.
While with his friends and family, playing pool, his PTSD was triggered by the sound of fireworks being shot by his neighbor.
His brother Jon had told those they were with to refrain from doing so earlier that day but the message never reached their unsuspecting neighbors.
“I was walking behind him, and every time a firework would go off, he was covering his ears and he would jump and flinch,” says Jon. “Then he just started crying and started running down the road.”
He followed his brother home where Jon planned to play some music to calm his brother down.
“He went to the bedroom, and right when I was about to get the play button going, I look up, and he looks at me and says I love you.” Jon said. The 27 year old Mike Kreft then shot and killed himself.
This story is an awful reminder of the grim realities facing many of our servicemen and women. If you know someone with PTSD, please make sure to reach out and be there for them. If their PTSD is triggered, loved ones are urged to intervene while staying calm and calling for help.
Rest In Peace and Honor Mike Kreft.
Here is a story reporting on his memorial service:
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From WCTV:
Valdosta, GA – On July 4th, Jon Kreft says he and his brother Mike were in a bar playing pool, when Mike, an Army Combat veteran, began hearing fireworks.
“I was walking behind him, and every time a firework would go off, he was covering his ears and he would jump and flinch,” says Jon. “Then he just started crying and started running down the road.”
He followed Mike home. He knew his brother’s PTSD had been triggered by the fireworks. He was going to play music to soothe him.
“He went to the bedroom, and right when I was about to get the play button going, I look up, and he looks at me and says I love you.”
The 27 year-old shot and killed himself.
Jon says Mike asked friends and family not to light fireworks on the 4th of July holiday, knowing it was one of his PTSD triggers. However, the message wasn’t relayed to his unsuspecting neighbors.
“You do things that you don’t want to do. You see things you don’t want to see, that your brain’s not ready for, and you bring it home with you”, says Mike Randall, with Hopes and Dreams Riding Facility. He treats vets with PTSD.
Do you have any experience with PTSD? Share your thoughts, tributes and stories in our comments below.
