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

One of my greatest peeves is to hear "Thank you for your service" in any business setting. Because, if I am going to do business with another person or company, the last thing I want to hear is that-they think they understand what I did, what I went through; this makes me feel like I'm just a dollar sign to them, and that is-insulting to me, and insulting to all of those that have gone before me, and especially those that have given their life in the line of combat. The phrase "Thank you for your service" entails everything you, your family, friends have endured together in this subculture (Armed Forces); not to mention those you are serving with, have served with, or brothers and sisters you have lost to war or to the effects of war after they come home (at whatever end of the spectrum).

I always reply with, "thank you for your support." Usually it's the older generation that says that but when a young person says it it gives me joy somehow knowing that we haven't lost our youth from the PC of the left and surprisingly I have met quit a few of these youth who said they want to serve when the time comes. I just wish our Vietnam vets brothers where shown the same courtesy when they came home.

I, like you, am no where close to sitting down and growing feeble. But to those that give their thanks, I respond either with a simple "Your Welcome" or with "Hooah". The later is saved for other veterans or family of veterans (they understand).

I dont like to hear it. I was just doing what I said I was going to do when I signed on the bottom line. I didnt do it for the thank you's I did it because I needed some direction in my life and for the love of my nation. I appreciate there desire to recognize me, but I dont like to be put on the spot, I like to be in the backround

I have always felt uncomfortable for two reasons. Thanks and recognition are fine. They are just trying to show their appreciation. But when you feel extremely uncomfortable and are on alert just for being out in a crowd. It makes it very uncomfortable when total strangers single you out and walk up to you. Especially when you are with your family. The first time my son was 3 three and we were at the county fair. I had only been out for 4 years and a man came up to thank me. Positioned himself between me and my son. I had to exercise a lot of self control and and grumpily informed him that he is between me and my boy.

The other reason is that I just did what I felt I needed to do. It wasn't for thanks or praise or even recognition. I just did the job. I completed the task that needed to be done. So it always felt like why are you thanking me? I didn't do anything special. Just did my job.

Over the years I have been working on my anxiety issues. I am still uncomfortable out in crowds but now when they come up I try to be polite and receptive. But when my family I still find myself on alert more so.

A little, only because I have not been deployed anywhere. I appreciate their support and am filled with pride, but it sometimes feels like getting paid without working.

People only say thank you because it has been iterated on TV, I got a guy that says it to me every week when I go to the store or on a daily basis, better than during Vietman when I got spit on

No, but I wonder the response I should come back with. Do I say "your welcome"? "Anytime?" Or "thank you" thanking them for thanking you. It's tricky. But I do say thank you

I remember when I came home from Vietnam in 1971. Nobody was at the airport to greet me. No marching bands. People walked past me like I was faceless and did not know that I had just came from a combat zone. Nobody said thank you. My family was just glad I was home safely. They were the only ones.

When Desert Shield/Desert Storm hit, I was one of those that really supported our military as they began an armed conflict. Thankfully, their conflict did not last that long. They came home to cheering crowds and a vast amount of pats on the back and accolades on their victory. I did not begrudge anything they received. On the contrary, I was thankful for their appreciation. However, deep down inside of me. I said "where was mine".

Then 9/11 hit. America was attacked! Patriotism was abound. Our military responded and our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines performed admirably.

Even the VA did a paradigm shift on how Veterans were being treated.

When I look back on all of that. I say to myself. Finally, people are telling us Vietnam Veterans "Thank You". Does it bother me to hear that? NO! I am grateful for it!

The only reason it bothers me currently is because I haven't done anything. I don't have a CIB and I'm still just a fuzzy. I'm not sure how I'll feel about it in the future but whether the wording is wrong, it is still heart warming that people recognize the military in a positive way rather than calling us "baby killers".