Does it bother you to hear "Thank you for your service!"?

The only time it bothers me is when they try to hug me with tears in their eyes. I'm not good at the whole touchy feely thing.

No.
I'm there as the representative of my Branch, and the entire DoD/Armed Forces of the USA. I recieve their thaks on behalf of the aformentioned and all Brothers and Sisters in Arms and reply, "Thank you for your support," because we would rather be thanked than forgotten.

I stumble around and mumble something about 'Thank you for your support'. It does feel a bit strange, because (unlike my Vietnam brothers) I volunteered. I am proud of my service to this great country, I am proud to call my fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guard my brothers and sisters. I am proud that some gave their life for my family and my fellow Americans. I pray for the families of the fallen and hope that they can find peace in their hearts one day.

As several of our sisters and brothers in arms have pointed out, so few of us step up to serve the nation, that it's quite possible that the 99% who do not are left with little else to say. So to that end, I'm delighted that a conversation takes place.
As I find more ways for veterans to succeed on a college campus, I'm reminded that many of my co-workers want to help, they just aren't sure how. My new motto is, "it's not that they don't care, they just don't know." It's at that point that I do my best to educate them on how to lend a hand to make the transition to college that much easier.
Maybe it's time we engage in a longer conversation with the next well wisher.
Here's a new question; When someone says, "thanks for your service", and we reply, our pleasure, what might we ask them?

I tell every serviceman I see, thanks for your service. I also tell every police officer or firefighter thanks for your service. When I wear a Vietnam related cap I get thanked and it makes me feel a hell of a lot better than I did when I came home from Nam.

SPC Larry Buck,

There were the days that the only time the "public" acknowledged the Service Member and Veterans, was during Holidays, Parades or Ceromonies. Barely a second glance if in Uniform all other times.

Liberation of Kuwait and Desert Shield/ Storm, brought the first true recognition of our Service. That even our Viet Nam Vets were being acknowledge and thanked. Something that was long over due, in my opinion.

9/11, brought more.

Now when some one says Thank You to me for my Service. I reply with a Thank You to them. A handshake and a humble nod of my head.

Yes and No. Yes when it is genuine and even impressive when someone goes out of their way to shake your hand and say it. When they do that I am speechless. I hate it when it is fake like in a job interview when they are about to tell you you're not what they are seeking regardless of how much better or more qualified you are. Ever time I hear the that disengenuous "first, let me say thank you for your service" you know the next thing is the knife to the gut.

I find it a honor to have served. I am glad people thank me for my service. Most Americans never served our nation. It's a no brainer. Thank you to all my brothers and sisters who have served.

Yes, but I am from a time when everyone with some exceptions such as crippled, homosexual, working in a vital job, etc did serve. So the person that did not serve was the exception unlike today where it is the rule. I think that I was just doing what I was
supposed to do.

I appreciate it.