It is very important for people to remember their neighbors on the Fourth of July. There might be a friend or a neighbor who went to a war zone to fight for our rights.

When they left, they had families, jobs — normal lives — but now they may have a mental illness that has turned their lives upside down. The sound of a blast can put them back in the war zone again, so they dive for shelter — under a bed, table, tree, etc.

Those veterans gave up a great part of their lives to keep ours safe. People might want to remember that when they buy those fireworks.

Veterans deserve our thoughtfulness, and being a “good neighbor” begins with each person.

Jacqueline Lothrop, Auburn