Displays of respect offered Service Members & Veterans?

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Nov 2013 12:28:38 -0500

In what ways do we as a nation display respect for our military?  How have you seen this show of respect to Service Members, Veterans, and Fallen Comrades in your time? Perhaps a small sign of kindness or respect, to more pronounced or formal respect shown. They say that a society can be judged by how it honors its deceased, similarly, a society can show its colors by how it treats all categories of military personnel: currently serving (Active, Guard, Reserve), Veterans (Wounded Warriors, Disabled Veterans), and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.  Share your stories here, what outstanding displays of respect have you witnessed? How has that affected you and/or your service? How does that motivate you to serve or to give back?  There are some awesome folks out there who've done some wonderful things, there should be some great stories, looking forward to seeing you all in the discussion threads! Thank you for your service!! 

Response by CMC Robert Young made Nov 12 at 2013 7:02 PM

CMC Robert Young — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 19:02:40 -0500

I was assigned to maritime security unit here in the states, and had just pinned on E8. Two of my security teams were scheduled to complete some required low visibility underway recertification training shortly thereafter. I tagged along to spend some time with the crew and to complete my recertification as well. To celebrate my advancement, I volunteered to pick up the tab for dinner while we were out completing the training. About half way through the evening, we moored the boats at one of my favorite waterfront seafood places to catch dinner, and take a break. There were about ten of us all armed (required for USCG Boarding Teams) and suited up with the required PPE for the boat. We were a little hard to miss standing in a crowded restaurant in the harbor of a popular American tourist destination. Several people spoke to us as we were waiting on a table, and thanked us for serving.  We had dinner, and I asked the waitress to put all of it on one bill. When the bill showed up, it was around $40. With ten of us, it should have been four times that so I asked the waitress to double check it for me. She told there wasn't any need to double check, and that a gentleman who had been sitting behind us put $100 towards our tab when he paid his bill. I don't know who he was, and couldn't thank him because he was gone by the time we finished dinner. Our only interaction was simply him offering his thanks for our service as we waited for our table. I told the crew to be mindful of the experience. It was a humbling event.

Response by LCpl Matt P. made Apr 25 at 2014 8:41 PM

LCpl Matt P. — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 20:41:20 -0400

I got out of the Marine Corps in July of 1983, it wasnt until about 1998 that I first had a stranger thanked me for my service and shook my hand, I was so unprepared for this, that I mumbled something along the lines of "yeah, sure, no problem" and kept going. the interaction actually bothered me since it was so unexpected and had never happened before, it happened a few more times since, but in the last 3 yrs. I believe I have been approached and thanked hundreds of times, despite this becoming a common occurrence, I STILL do not know how to respond, and each time it happens it leaves me a bit uncomfortable.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2014 1:24 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 01:24:01 -0400

I find it amusing how often I get "thanked" for my service. My dad is a Vietnam vet, and didn't get the same. Whenever I get thanked for my service, I usually say "thanks for paying taxes".

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2014 3:57 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 03:57:17 -0400

My question is what is wrong with doing the right thing? In other words showing respect or not here is a sure sign of how an individual may act in public.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Apr 26 at 2014 8:28 AM

CMSgt James Nolan — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 08:28:36 -0400

Having been in the service as long as I have, with travel etc, there have been numerous occasions where thanks have been extended. Several times, members of the "Greatest Generation", moving slowly and wearing the "hat" have come up to us in groups while out, or to me personally and simply said thank you. This to me was the ultimate compliment, because of the sacrifices that I know they made. I return the compliment/greeting and time permitting, will try and have a brief conversation. The South is full of old Vets!

Several times, small groups of us have been out, in uniform at local restaurants, and someone has anonymously picked up the tab and walked out before we could say thank you.

It happens regularly that sweet little "older" ladies will come to a table and thank the whole table. And it is so obvious that they really mean it.

My favorite though is the family that comes over and says thank you, and they have young boys, who are wide eyed and clearly interested in the uniforms, and you can see a future PICK YOUR SERVICE member of the military standing there.

After all, most of us are big kids that never grew up.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2014 12:16 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 12:16:18 -0400

I have had my meal purchased more times than I can count. I have had shots ordered for me at the bar. I have had old vets come up and say, "From one vet to another, thank you young brother in arms".

My favorite time though, was when my unit was on our way to the range in North Dakota. We stopped to do a "during PMCS" on our HMMWV's and a 5-6 year old boy was at the rest area that we stopped at. I let him sit in the drivers seat of it, talk to people on the radio, and taught him how to salute our CO.

When we drove away he stood there and saluted us, waving a little American Flag in his other hand!

He was with his Grandfather who told him, "Whenever you see a person in a uniform like that, you shake their hand and say thank you".

Another time, I had someone ask to take a picture with me in an Airport. I thought that was cool too.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2014 6:48 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 18:48:52 -0400

When 9/11 happened, our THREATCON ramped up quick and, until we could establish some contingency schedules, it seemed everyone was on duty all the time. By the time I had a chance to get off base to get some uniforms out of the cleaners, I had been in the same set of BDUs for a while

As I was standing in line at the cleaners, this lady from our greatest generation turned to me, held out her hand, and said "Thank you for defending my country."

That was, quite possibly, the best day to be in uniform.

Response by SGT Quinn Reels made Apr 27 at 2014 11:53 AM

SGT Quinn Reels — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 11:53:06 -0400

IT,S A AWESOME FEELING WHEN SOMEONE SAYS THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE.I MYSELF SAY IT TO EVERY VETERAN AND ACTIVE DUTY PERSON I SEE

Response by Lt Col Robert B. made Apr 27 at 2014 8:32 PM

Lt Col Robert B. — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 20:32:10 -0400

One of my favorite displays of respect are the motorcycle honor guards to prevent funeral protestors from disrupting the procession. Nothing like loud pipes in the face to drown out offensive shouts.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2014 10:44 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 10:44:38 -0400

The greatest display of respect for veterans that I've seen and have had the pleasure to be apart of is the Honor Flight Network. This organization takes WWII vets to Washington D.C. to visit the WWII Memorial for FREE. There are networks established all over the country to include Alaska. I had the pleasurte of being on a guardian for a veterans during a mission with the Hampton Roads Triangle chapter of the Honor Flight Network last fall. It was the 11th Mission the chapter has provided for veterans. The trip started with a small ceremony to kick off the trip. Once the buses (4) were loaded we were escorted by both veteran and police motorcades all the way from Williamsburg VA to D.C. We arrived in D.C. to a procession of supporters who lined the entrance to the WWI Memorial. Bob Dole himself was there to great his fellow vets. We had lunch at the Korean War memorial then drove to Arlington to see the changing of the guard. Aftet that we drove past the Marine Corps war memorial. Our trip ended at the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico VA for a visit and dinner. The entrance to the museum was lined by hundreds of supporters hooping and holering for the vets. During the bus ride home each vets was presented with "mail call" which included personal letters from family and greatful supporters.
http://www.honorflight.org/

Home - www.honorflight.org

Honor Flight honors our veterans who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam by flying them to see the memorials built in their honor in Washington, DC.

Response by SGT Shon D. Hill made Apr 29 at 2014 12:07 AM

SGT Shon D. Hill — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 00:07:05 -0400

Most of all, I have PROFOUND respect for Vietnam Veterans, as they made sure we didn't get the sorry treatment they received. Welcome home 'nam vets!

Response by Sgt Randy Hill made May 20 at 2014 3:23 PM

Sgt Randy Hill — Tue, 20 May 2014 15:23:07 -0400

I like being thanked for my service. However, I would like more respect in the civilian world for my military accomplishments and experiences.Especially difficult is the question of holding to tight to the classified part of my service. Any ideas on how to market that without being in trouble with the law?

Response by SrA Corey Steadman made May 21 at 2014 12:38 AM

SrA Corey Steadman — Wed, 21 May 2014 00:38:09 -0400

I am not sure how I feel when someone thanks me for my service. I know they mean it and I know that regardless of when or how long you served, you still gave part of your life to defend your country, no matter what capacity it is/was.

I guess I feel a bit unworthy these days. See, I work on-post at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and I get to talk to soldiers on a daily basis when they PCS in. A lot come from deployments and since I never deployed (or rather it wasn't necessary) to a hot spot, I feel like I should be giving the utmost respect to them while not feeling I require it in return, from fellow service members and civilians alike.

Is that bad of me to think like this? Please do not misunderstand, I loved my time serving and if I could do it again, I would with no hesitation.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2014 11:42 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 11:42:40 -0400

Each year, I commemorate the deaths of the soldiers who died in my Task Force in Iraq. 12 soldiers died in our 15 month deployment who were either attached to or serving in our Task Force. I place 12 medium flags in my flower bed in front of my house all of memorial day week for each soldier - I say each of their names as I push them into the ground and I remember the memories I have of them if I knew them personally. I also hold a deep reverence and give thoughts to honor the rest of our fallen comrades in wars recent and past - but these soldiers died by my side, in the very streets I fought. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten by me.

Every year, I attempt to attend the flag planting event at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO. Some years I cannot attend due to personal issues, but it is imperative to pay respects.

Each year serves as a memory marker - a time to reflect on the wars of our past, to reflect on the lives that were taken to ensure our personal liberties and those wars in which we strove to establish similar liberties for people abroad. I joined the military because I wanted to help Iraq establish their country so that liberty could ring elsewhere in the world. Each year I am given the opportunity to reflect on that work and the sacrifice that the soldiers gave to the Iraqi people. While current events unfolding are disconcerting - I am hopeful that Iraq will rise above the cowards who ran from the fight and will retake the lands that belong to them.

One way I like to serve back is by supporting Stop Soldier Suicide, a not for profit organization that is working double time to end the stigma of mental health treatment and end soldier suicide. The statistics coming out that approximately 22 veterans a day commit suicide are staggering. I support SSS financially currently and have considering volunteering on their crisis hotline.

We are sent to war, programmed to kill - but we are not given due diligence in psychotherapy and other proven methods of handling lingering combat stress and PTSD. Programs should be established upon return to duty station that allow soldiers to debrief and bring peace to their actions overseas.

Awesome question!

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 3 at 2014 10:02 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 10:02:01 -0400

If I see SMs in uniform, especially if I'm with my children, I thank them for their service and have my kids do the same. On one occasion, I picked up a tab for 4 service members on drill, none of whom I knew, at Dunkin Donuts where I happened to be that Saturday morning. Sometimes just buying a fellow vet/sm a coffee can make their day. Pay it forward!

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Jul 15 at 2014 1:00 PM

TSgt Kevin Buccola — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 13:00:02 -0400

Being thanked is a great feeling, but also as a retiree people know and they still show respect and appreciation. I do not have anything on my vehicle that displays military, I do that for a reason. When 911 happened we were told to remove any and all stickers etc off vehicles and such so we would not be targets. That has continued to this day for me. People are amazing, I've seen people donate land, houses etc to wounded warriors. As for myself, when I see Veterans I always say hello and thank you. Just the other day I saw a young Army Soldier with his wife and new born baby at a restaurant, I called the waiter over and told them to add his bill to my check. We paid and I wrote a note to give them that said Thank you, I wish you and your family the best. The waiter gave that note to them while we were walking out, I noticed him telling the Soldier who we were. My wife and I frequent that restaurant quite a lot and they know who we are.