EAST CHICAGO, Indiana — For veterans like 44-year-old Juan Becerra, the sounds and smells around the July 4th holiday can trigger memories of combat.

"At the Fourth of July, we sort of expect it and anticipate it," he told The Times (http://bit.ly/1qqsaBV ). "It's leading up to the Fourth of July, when people are setting off their M-80s and you don't expect it. I would catch myself jumping all the time because it brings me back to the night we were attacked and reminds me of when they shot mortars into our compound."

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"The brain doesn't differentiate between something dangerous like bullets or a Fourth of July situation," Messing said. "The sight, the sound, the smell of any type of explosion turns on that super alert fight-or-flight."

Once the association is made, it can be tough to reverse. Medications don't help much, but some forms of therapy can be effective.

* If lighting fireworks outside your house, check to see if any neighbors are veterans. If so, warn them ahead of time
* Avoid using fireworks with loud bangs - the louder the bang the worse it is for the veteran.
* Go to a remote area to set off fireworks where there is less of a chance you will disturb others

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