It’s time to silence personal fireworks

It’s nearly midnight Sunday and our part of the world appears to be on the verge of being blown to hell.

Or so it seems.

Iraq? Afghanistan? No. This is west Vancouver, USA.

Four days earlier, we discovered our adopted Dalmatian-mix “puppy” of two-plus years was a bowl of Jell-O, quivering her heart out in the living room of our home. Normally overflowing with spirited energy, she was in the grip of uncontrollable trembling.

This is the “celebration” of Independence Day 2010.

The explosive siege began last Wednesday evening — one day before the four-day legal use of fireworks in Vancouver. During subsequent days, the blasts carried on well past curfew hours and into the early-morning hours.

Last Thursday, on advice of our veterinarian, we obtained the drug acepromazine in 25-milligram pills. Directions: “1 tablet as needed every 8 to 12 hours for sedation.”

It helped calm Lucy III a great deal, but the trauma from exploding fireworks persisted.

Our Fourth of July experience with our pet is not unique.

Valerie Wheeler, for example, reported in a letter to the editor that personal fireworks were touched off in her neighborhood in mid-June. She lives just outside the Vancouver city limits.

Wheeler urges a complete ban on fireworks, or limiting their use to July 4 only. Washougal is currently the only municipality in Clark County with a one-day limit.

If common sense were to prevail, a full ban would be enforced within city limits of municipalities. Lacking that, a phase-down could start next year, with fireworks limited to two days, headed for one, and then none. Vancouver is the only one of six largest cities in the state to allow personal fireworks.

Four days of night-and-day mayhem, however, is too long for man or beast to endure.

The “patriotic right” to celebrate our nation’s birth with explosives is an overblown excuse, and should not influence the decision to restrict fireworks use.

Limiting personal fireworks is not simply for the comfort of pets. Many senior citizens also suffer from the window-rattling explosive onslaught.

Personal injury is the compelling factor. Would you like to see your child go through life missing a finger — or worse? Last year, there were 1,200 fireworks incidents in the state in which 200 people were injured. On Sunday, fireworks hurt two people here and scorched a church.

Personal property loss is always a risk.

Neighborhood peace and quiet would be a bonus during a shortened “flash-bang” season.

A universal countywide restriction of personal fireworks would be easier to enforce, and would enhance the really big family Fourth of July show at the Fort Vancouver National Site. There, the holiday was capped Sunday with a 20-minute fireworks display, and some charities also benefited from fireworks sales.

Activities began early Sunday when the gates opened to the public at 8 a.m. There were four stages and a full day of live music, walking tours and food vendors. There was entertainment for children, and historic demonstrations. The day also featured picnics on the Fort Vancouver Historic Site, as well as neighborhood barbecues, family reunions and baseball games.

Historic perspective might help. John Adams, who assisted Thomas Jefferson in drafting the Declaration of Independence and was the second President of the United States, thought the Declaration ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, with “devotion to God Almighty,” pomp, parades, games, sports, guns, bells and bonfires.

In 1778, General George Washington commemorated July 4 with a double ration of rum for his soldiers and an artillery salute.

Yes, celebrate we must, but a quieter day will help all of us mark it with dignity, honor and more peaceful activities. Lucy and her multitude of furry friends would be happier with this new arrangement, too.

Tom Koenninger is editor emeritus of The Columbian. His column of personal opinion appears on Wednesdays. Reach him at koenninger@comcast.net.