"I suffer from nightmares reliving those events. Walking down the street with my family, I was constantly checking my back even though I knew no one was there."

Veteran Steven Frye, who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), spoke at Friday's Veterans Day ceremony at Town Hall about his return home after two tours in Iraq. Frye has founded his own non-profit organization, USA Battle Buddies, to assign therapy dogs with PTSD victims. 

"When I have a flashback, he'll pull me out of public view and not let anyone around me until I come back to the United States," Frye said. "And this guy (pointing to his own therapy dog), Charlie Zino, always has my back. I don't have to worry about walking into a store and feeling uncomfortable or walking down the street and thinking someone is going to come and shoot me in the back, or walking down the road even and thinking I'm going to be blown up." 

All of Frye's dogs are named in memory of a fallen soldier. Charlie "Zino" is named after the late Army Sgt. Michael F. Paranzino of Middletown. "His men called him Zino and it's only fitting we called him Zino," Frye said. 

The annual Veterans Day ceremony, hosted by the American Legion Post 18 and VFW Post 5390, highlighted the issues surrounding PTSD.

During World War I, PTSD was known as "shell shock" and was later referred to as "combat fatigue." Today, those who seek to spread awareness about the disorder distribute teal-colored ribbons. Teal is the symbolic color of PTSD. 

"When my own father returned from Vietnam, he suffered from nightmares ... not just from combat, but he also helped remove bodies following the horrific fire aboard the USS Oriskany," said a teary-eyed Christine Hayward. "When he returned home, he wasn't the same."

Hayward, former commander of American Legion Post 18, spoke about her father's experience with PTSD, which affects about 5.2 million adults every year, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

"Adults may realize that friends and loved ones would have a tough time adjusting after returning from war, but my sister and I couldn't understand why our loveable, funny, playful daddy got angry so easily," she said. "Having seen children caught in the crossfire, suffering malnutrition or being orphaned as a result of war, he could no longer tolerate our petty fighting over the last cookie or Barbie doll accessories." 

Also participating in Friday's ceremony were members of Cub Scout Pack 50, who carried the American flag. Retired Army Lt. Col. Michael Nott, chaplain of VFW Post 5390, said the opening prayer. Post 18 Chaplain Ken Williams said the closing prayer. 

Also attending Friday's ceremony were U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, state Sen. Christopher Ottiano and members of the Portsmouth Town Council. 

During the outdoor laying of the wreath, Cicilline spoke about what veterans require when they return home from service. "We can give them service by giving them everything they earned and deserve," he said.

To learn more about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, including treatments and where to seek help, visit the National Center for PTSD Web site.