Posted on Jan 21, 2015
Does it bother you to hear "Thank you for your service!"?
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All active duty stand down(but don't walk away, this will effect you later) Veterans does it ever bother you to hear that? "Thank you for your service" I apologize but it mmmm...bugs me something awful, telling me " your done go sit down and grow feeble " needs changed to something that endures like we do something like "YO JOE!" or another saying meaning get outta my way theres work to do and I ain't done yet! Forgive if I wasted your time, just wondering.
Thank You
Service
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 623
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It makes me feel uncomfortable when people thank me for my service. I spent 915 days in Vietnam, and I still feel like it wasn't enough. When I think back and remember all the guys who didn't make home, it makes me sad. I'll be 69 this year, and as I get closer to the end of my life their deaths seem to press down more on me than they did when I was a young man.
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Cpl Craig Franklin
I thank YOU for YOUR service, my brother. 915 days in the bush is a long time. I spent most of my childhood hearing about what you guys went through over there. YOU are MY hero.
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It doesn't bother me, I just wish my father was still around to get this after the welcomes he got when he came back from Nam! Probably some of the same people that are in charge today that actually spit on him than!
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It bothered me for a while because I did not know how to respond. To thank them back seemed wrong, just odd. But I did appreciate the fact that they were acknowledging my service and defense of their freedom and way of life.
Now I say " I appreciate that" ,smile and shake their hand if offered. It seems to make them happy and satisfies my need to acknowledge them in turn.
Now I say " I appreciate that" ,smile and shake their hand if offered. It seems to make them happy and satisfies my need to acknowledge them in turn.
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I love hearing it, and always reply with I love my country so much, this is why I do it. I'll add, I hope some day you do too!
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SFC Boots Attaway
I love hearing that and I always respond by saying "Thank you and it was my honor.".
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SGT (Join to see)
I just turn red and say thanks, but it is nice when someone just walks up to me from out of nowhere and shakes my hand.
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We need to hear words of gratitude, it can never be said too much. Like saying, " I Love You", these words a powerful and edify a person making them feel worthy.
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SPC Mark Beard
Brother David I would add you but I used all my invites for today day but it will be a honor to have you as a contact same with all of you
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Don't over think it, just say thank you for your support er something like that and Charlie mike.
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I don't mind, when someone tells me "thank you for your service", it gives me an opportunity to reply wholeheartedly - "We couldn't continue to serve without the support of people like you, Thank You".
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SPC Adina (Fawn Mac) McKenzie
As a Cold War ~ Korea Defense Veteran, Sometimes I wonder where do I stand ... BUT when someone says Thank You ~ I tell them it was my Honor & Privilege to have Served our Great Country & Her People .....
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SGT (Join to see)
Those people who acted that way about us RVN veterans, didn't realize they were setting a precedents for how not to treat the military. It backfired on them and I'm so happy about that.
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PO3 Bob Walsh
The 60's & 70's are gone, we are in a new century. I am not bothered when someone says thank you for your service. I think most people are sincere when they thank us. My wife and I were in a restaurant and two men in uniform sat in the table across from us. We gave them a thumbs up and said thanks, my wife also served as a Navy Nurse. When we were at the cashier I asked if I could pay the bill for the two soldiers, we paid their bill and ours and went on our way. I remember living on military pay.
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SPC Larry Buck
I hope your 4th of July was enjoyed, I'm still outside of the box, but listening always helps. Thank You All for your service and God Bless You All
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Being Retired it is a bit weird to hear it. Not that I don't appreciate it, nor do I deny i served, but I just see my service as my own. I know you can say I helped protect the citizens of the US, and helped millions of people abroad by doing my service.
Privately I know this, and I have even made the point in debates of how many humans the military has helped over my 20 years and the military's life time. Yes we kill people, and well we are pretty damn good at it. But we also can save people. Millions and millions of lives have been saved because American service members were on call to come to the rescue, drop needed food n water, or build a water treatment plant where there never was one.
But it still makes me feel weird. I never asked to be recognized. I never wanted a 10% discount at Lowes. But they are there. I think there are people in this world that see the bigger picture. Humans who have this ability to see beyond the hype and media, beyond the propaganda and satire. Humans who see other humans for who they are and just want to thank them. We make it easy for these people to spot us when were are/were in uniform. Now, that we have retired/separated and moved on, I think these people are still looking just wanting to say thank you. Because we have made it we have done the deed and returned back to society. These Humans, these people just want to say "Thank you" and "welcome back".
For all my career every time someone says that, my reply's have varied as like I said it makes me feel weird and kinda puts me on the spot. But my favorite reply, when I am not surprised and can remember is. "Well thank you for your support."
Privately I know this, and I have even made the point in debates of how many humans the military has helped over my 20 years and the military's life time. Yes we kill people, and well we are pretty damn good at it. But we also can save people. Millions and millions of lives have been saved because American service members were on call to come to the rescue, drop needed food n water, or build a water treatment plant where there never was one.
But it still makes me feel weird. I never asked to be recognized. I never wanted a 10% discount at Lowes. But they are there. I think there are people in this world that see the bigger picture. Humans who have this ability to see beyond the hype and media, beyond the propaganda and satire. Humans who see other humans for who they are and just want to thank them. We make it easy for these people to spot us when were are/were in uniform. Now, that we have retired/separated and moved on, I think these people are still looking just wanting to say thank you. Because we have made it we have done the deed and returned back to society. These Humans, these people just want to say "Thank you" and "welcome back".
For all my career every time someone says that, my reply's have varied as like I said it makes me feel weird and kinda puts me on the spot. But my favorite reply, when I am not surprised and can remember is. "Well thank you for your support."
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MSgt John McDowell
I hope this doesn't sound rude of me, but I think we have become a nation of talkers, tweeters, texters, etc... and increasing less doers. I have heard many people thank me for my service, but at times they are the same people that don't appreciate what our nation's military has done to protect their freedom. If they must thank me, then please do it on Veteran's Day and the rest of the year act as if the freedom you have was earned with the blood of those who would give anything of themselves to protect it.
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MSgt Robert Pellam
I actually agree with you MSgt John McDowell. It is easy to see many people now cry wolf with no other reason than "I said so". I was taught, and it was a lesson I learned in the military, If I have a problem that I am going "Bitch" about, then I also need a comprehensive solution based in Facts. Something missing in today's Twitter Verse.
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MSgt John McDowell
My biggest challenge now is just allowing people be who they are without trying to coach them up to a standard. I have to remember at this point in their life they are not going to change, just as I'm not likely to change my need to always exceed expectations and seek out learning opportunities. GIs make the best college students.
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No it doesn't bother me to hear "Thank you for your service!" what bothers me is that is as far as it goes, those words rarely turn into positive actions. I'm dealing with Veteran suicides and with 22-30 Veterans dying by suicide daily, I would like to hear "How can I help stop this epidemic?" https://tvfaz.org/suicide-counter/
SUICIDE OUTRAGE – Since 2001 125,992+/- Veterans have died by suicide.
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Sgt Michael Selbach
I hate that has become a "Canned" thank you if you are wearing something that says veteran
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CPO Michael Callegri
Great point. I always seems that a person demeanor changes when it is said with no meaning and just repeating what is popular at the time. I don't mind those that are genuine, but agree that sometimes more is needed.
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