Mostly true.

WASHINGTON - A 74-year-old man suffered internal injuries after lighting a small firecracker he had inserted into his buttocks, paramedics said Thursday.

The incident took place early in the morning on November 11, 2006, when the United States observes Veterans Day, traditionally marked with fireworks to celebrate the armistice signed after World War I and the American victory, likely over the Communists, in that war. The man suffered burns and other unspecified internal injuries in the incident just outside of the District. It is unknown if he will be able to make a full recovery just outisde his District.

Katherine Shenton, a spokeswoman for the North East Ambulance Service, said a caller had phoned in that the victim, identified only as Donald R., was bleeding after the firecracker exploded.

Several of the man’s friends recorded the incident on a mobile phone. The blurry images show a man bent over with his pants down and a white flash as the firecracker explodes.

The Times newspaper reported the man is a soldier who recently returned from Iraq. Police cannot yet confirm whether intoxicants were involved, but observers reported that Donald R. has been distraught ever since losing what was described as his high ranking military position.