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

It is better than getting egged in 1972 as we exited the greyhound bus station in down town Los Angeles.

No it is nice , it makes me think off all the members who went before me.

it much better than being called baby kill. or being spate on.

When I hear this, which is surprisingly often, I typically respond with "Thank you for your acknowledgement".

I usually think to myself, "I was just doing my job." I used to feel uncomfortable when someone thanked me for my service. But, I heard this phrase... and I've found myself using it more often: "I did it for you." It's a nice way to reciprocate the kind gesture... and remind all in the conversation "why" we all have served.

No, not at all. I spent 20 years before I heard that, besides family, & I'm only 47, but I went in the Army during post Vietnam. There's also a lot more discounts, etc. The time that bothers me when it's said is from a Veteran or Active Duty member. I feel as though we don't need to say it.

It beats hippies asking how many babies I killed. We have gone through many changes as to how the civilian population regard folks that wear the uniform.

This saying was started as a public service to teach civilians how to speak to those of us in uniform. Its not what civilians say as much as how they say it. If the greeting is meant we appreciate it for what it is. Respect for the uniform.

Having attended the Desert Storm War Games, Nam Games of 65-67', Urgent Fury...all doing my part...NO PROBLEM. I returned from the Nam Games to lines of protesters June 67' and discharge. I absolutely Thank the Desert Storm troops, but this was your game, ours has been long over........on paper. The "Thank You" for your service is great, although I do get a strange feeling when it happens. It normally is from a younger service member, or civilians......and I doubt if I ever get use to it

Not at all. Most of the time I heard it was when I was still in uniform, so they clearly weren't saying I was done or feeble. Especially since they were occasionally surprised that I was even old enough to be in the military, because I look young for my age.

I think it's more in the way we respond or react. As many times as someone has thanked me and really meant it there have been just as many who thanked me, more for their personal reasons and usually to make themselves look better than the next person in line. I like to respond with either, it was all my honor or it was my privilege followed by, DID YOU SERVE? That usually separates the two.

40 years ago I was spit on at a civilian gas station in Spokane Washington while in uniform. After that I spent decades keeping my service close to my chest. My attitude changed over time along with the entire country and I finally came out of the closet, so to speak, on my military past. I was proud of my service and now I felt I could finally show it. Hence my veteran baseball cap with the American/Viet Nam Flag and military (Air Force) hat pins.

Now to your question. It does bother me a little. The very first time someone said that to me was in 2013 at the grocery store. I had on my Viet Nam hat. I was surprised and grateful when I heard it. I never saw any of the welcome home fanfare one sees today nor had I experienced any respect for my time with Uncle Sam. However, the first few times people said it to me were great but then I started hearing so often. It now seems so homogenized like telling someone "have a nice day".