Posted on Jun 24, 2015
Anyone Else Tired of Hearing "Thank You for Your Service'?
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I've heard this many times and now I'm at the point where it seems like it's being said because it's the right thing to say. I feel like its lost meaning and some of it is due to a trait we all share as Vets - we were a team and getting personal recognition is not the most comfortable. Also, this is something our Vietnam Vets never heard which I know people are trying to make up for. Personally, I say "Welcome Home" to them. Curious to hear what you all think. What would you like to hear and should I acknowledge this as something that allows those who didn't serve a chance to say something positive?
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 40
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Like many have said, it's better than what they could be saying. Just the other day I was in the grocery store with my Fiance and had a young gentleman who worked there come up to me, grabbed my hand to shake it and thanked me for my service. First time in a long time someone actually shook my hand rather than just saying it as I passed by. Felt pretty good to have someone come out of their way to shake my hand and thank me. My reply to him was "Thank you for your support."
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I do not get tired of people saying "Thank you for your service."
Personally, welcome home is annoying, more so before I ever deployed, and now as I have been home for over a year. But I always appreciated the gesture.
Personally, welcome home is annoying, more so before I ever deployed, and now as I have been home for over a year. But I always appreciated the gesture.
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I find it a bit awkward when I hear it, but that may just be because I don't feel I've earned the "thank you" yet. I do appreciate the time they took out of their day to thank me though. If they had thanked someone who really did deserve it, or someone who really needed to hear it, then the little bit of awkwardness I fell when they say it, and the little bit of guilt I feel for recognizing it, even though I haven't done much yet, is all worth the little bit of a boost for the person who needed to hear it.
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CMSgt (Join to see)
The operative word in your post is "yet". You joined. You trained. You served long enough to know that you are just getting your traction. Well done!! :)
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SPC Shannon Lovell/Blanchard
You've done a lot. You stepped up when many that could, chose not. That takes courage, determination and commitment to country. It's a very self-less act.
"Service" doesn't always mean you had to have seen combat. It means you made a conscious choice to offer your service to our country.
Accept the "thank you" gracefully and give yourself some credit for what you have already accomplished.
There are man that would not have made it as far as you already have.
"Service" doesn't always mean you had to have seen combat. It means you made a conscious choice to offer your service to our country.
Accept the "thank you" gracefully and give yourself some credit for what you have already accomplished.
There are man that would not have made it as far as you already have.
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I don't mind hearing it. Only thing that bothers me is that when people say it, they don't quite realize how little I've actually done for this country. I've been in for two years, and so far I've simply been a mechanic in Texas and more recently I've just sat at a desk with very little to do. No, I'm not tired of hearing it, but I really wish I had something to be thanked for other than the honors I perform for fallen veterans.
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PO2 (Join to see)
SSG Izzy Abbass - Yeah there's a fair point, but I can't help but think of those who are getting shot at and who've lost life, limb and loved ones. They signed that same line at one point or another. But I do greatly appreciate your words SSG! Thank you as well!
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CMSgt (Join to see)
You have been in to years more than most in the US. Be proud and stand tall. You deserve your share of the thanks. :)
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SPC Shannon Lovell/Blanchard
Accept the "thank you" gracefully, and give yourself some credit. You stepped up and made a commitment to our country when many others chose not to. You are also sacrificing time away from home, family, etc.
Take comfort in being behind the desk for now. It won't always be that way, and for the moment, it's relieving some of the worry your family members may have about you ending up in harm's way.
Take comfort in being behind the desk for now. It won't always be that way, and for the moment, it's relieving some of the worry your family members may have about you ending up in harm's way.
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SSGT Izzy Abbass I do agree with you in the fact that it makes you feel awkward. I think tho that it is one of the few things that the civilian population can do or say to express their gratitude for our service. When I have someone come up to me and say it. My go to response is that it is my privilege and honor to serve when so many who wish to can't do so. Due to being disqualified for any number of reasons. As for what I say to others if it is a vet who appears to have served before my time I thank them for putting the stepping stones down for which we can build upon to build a better future. If it is someone who is still serving I tell them that it's an honor to serve with them and I appreciate the sacrifices they make to carry the torch. I don't word it the same way every time. I try to personalize it with every encounter I have.
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As a viet nam era vet I can say that saying thank you for your service is the right to say for their service not because it's PC
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The first time I heard thank you for your service, I had been retired for 5 years(2009). It took me by surprise and I struggled for a come back remark. Sense then I have heard it a lot and makes me feel good inside. If I see a fellow service person in public I will pass on that same phrase. In truth I joined the navy when I was 22 for job security. I already had made up my mind to make the navy my career. Lets face it there are not that many jobs that pay to send you to other country that make you really appreciate what we have in this country. Sorry I got off topic.
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It's better than what the Vietnam veterans heard, the sound of spit coming their way, calling them rapist and baby killers, all kinds of stuff, pretty sure they would have loved to hear, "thank you for your service" and wouldn't have whined about it. Selfless service, it's not about us, just a thought.
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PO2 Craig Morrow
I'll tell you. Our veterans appreciate Welcome home and thank you for your service regardless of which war or peacetime era they served during.
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It bothered me for a while... I've never thought I did anything special, just did my job and was in the right place at the right time. Then a few years ago I had a "light-bulb moment", and thought of all the guys that gave so much more than me and were forgotten.
So now I respond with "Thank you for your support" as an ambassador on behalf of THEM.
So now I respond with "Thank you for your support" as an ambassador on behalf of THEM.
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I always say "no, thank you for all you do for the troops." That way they know if they really do or not.
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