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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I hear it anytime I'm in uniform. I does bug me because I feel I've not done anything to deserve recognition. I did my job and duty to my country. I love it I don't need a thank you or recognition. I want my kids proud of me and know life isn't easy. Add for you maybe your bugged or miss the fact that you're no longer in uniform. I will miss it terribly when I have to give it up. I'm guard do I work troop support on civilian side so that makes me feel a part of it too. Something like that for you or volunteer work thru a veterans network. Your not done yet there's always more to do.
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MSgt Stephanie McCalister
Women Veterans are exceptionally over looked in the public eye and also often at the VA. I've walked into veterans posts & been referred to their ladies auxiliary for membership applications, and they're often shocked when I pull out my lifetime membership card as a veteran! I get mail for "Mr. McCalister" and get phone calls from the VA or from a medic in the VA waiting room, looking for "Mr. McCalister" ... the phone calls get very interesting when it's my appt & I hand the phone to my husband, also a veteran! They often apologize, but they don't seem to learn, because they keep repeating the same mistake. So Sergeant, thank you for your service, and please don't be 'shy' about sharing you're a woman serving, and when your day comes, that you're a woman veteran. Education has to start somewhere, and if we don't acknowledge who & what we are, how can we expect others to understand, accept, and continue with progressive & positive thinking regarding our service? What we accept for ourselves when offered, is payed forward in spades to those who will follow in the years ahead, just as those of us who served, benefited from those who walked the walk before we did. Stay strong!
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SPC Ken Hall
I serve as the Secretary for the Mental Health Veterans Advisory Council supporting the WJB Dorn VAMC. We are volunteers and yes Sarge (both of you), WE really appreciate you lady Veterans. I have been PRIVILEGED to work trying to better all of the Veterans at Dorn, but we have pushed for issues related to our female Veterans as we realized early on that they were not being fairly represented.
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No it does not bother me. I believe people say it respectfully. I say it to active duty all the time. Seems to me people are getting better at accepting it.
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No it does not bother me. The majority of people I know who say "Thank you for your service." mean it. They are truly grateful for the servicemen and women who have written that "blank check" and served their country. I do get embarrassed but I get embarrassed when anyone gives me thanks or praise for what I consider doing my job/duty.
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I try to acknowledge every service person I see and we usually ask each other what we did during our service time and where we served. I appreciate the recognition for my service.
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I admit that it used to be awkward when I started hearing it. Don't be bothered, be proud!
Be a professional, look at the person in the eye and simply state "Thanks for your support, it is a pleasure and an honor to serve!".
For me 90% of the time, the folks who thank you are genuine, and want to share a story of a loved one, or a friend who is currently serving, or already served.
Be a professional, look at the person in the eye and simply state "Thanks for your support, it is a pleasure and an honor to serve!".
For me 90% of the time, the folks who thank you are genuine, and want to share a story of a loved one, or a friend who is currently serving, or already served.
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I personally appreciate the thank you. No one owes me anything for my service but, it makes me feel good to know that someone cares for your sacrifices to our country and our way of life. Doesn´t bother me at all.
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I find that being thanked is a great feeling. If you think the intent is "Thanks, now got sit in a corner and don't bother anyone", if that is your feeling then you need a serious attitude adjustment! Just a few years ago we were spat at and called baby killers. Most Americans today have a small understanding of what we do or did for them. If your not humbled by this show of support then you think a little too much of yourself and that is not the military standard. Respond with "Thank you Sir or Mam", it's that simple. they took time out to recognize your willingness to serve, you should take time out to thank them! Some of these responses are from some seriously ungrateful and cynical soldiers!
SFC Eugene Helstrom
Retired
SFC Eugene Helstrom
Retired
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Yes, I know people mean well, but I'd rather do without any public thanks.
What really goat my goat, however, was folks making themselves feel good by telling me, "welcome home" twenty-five years too late.
What really goat my goat, however, was folks making themselves feel good by telling me, "welcome home" twenty-five years too late.
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I appreciate it when folks recognize my service it took way to long to hear that. I tell them that it was a honor to serve my country and my Marine Corps as I still do today. We can't stop the years gone by, but we can walk with pride honor and commitment.
Semper Fi my brothers.
Semper Fi my brothers.
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It doesn't bother me. Many people, don't know how to appreciate someone who served in the military. Few understand the hardship endured by married military personnel; especially those with children. The pay is low and the separations are many and lengthly. I served during a period of relative peace 1962 - 1968 and was not deployed to Vietnam. I consider myself fortunate. Military service was a period of growth and maturity for most of us. I'm sincere when I say thank you for your service to those who are combat veterans, but in all honesty, it should be extended to anyone who served. I have a great deal of empathy for parents who lost a son or daughter in combat, ditto the wounded warrior dealing with loss of limb(s) and the emotional struggles of PTSD. We don't do enough for our vets who sacrificed so we can get up in the morning and drive to Starbucks w/o wondering if someone will shoot or kidnap us. Yes, thank you for your service.
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PO2 Gerry Tandberg
After reading most to these comments I'd like to add that I belong to a group we call "Frontline Ministries". Our charter is to assist other vets anywhere we see a need. Those needs run from A to Z. Sometimes it maybe just to makeup a house payment, some cash to get them by, a trip to the VA, holding the hand of a vet who is terminally ill, assist in a building project, a listening ear, to pray with them, or sometime just knowing there are other vets who care and understand what they experienced is all is needed. When we say thank you for your service they know it comes from the heart. We are represented by all five branched of service: Army, Navy, Marine Corp, Air Force, and Coast Guard, plus law enforcement and the parents of all the above. Oh yeah, there is a lot of inner-service fun poking here too, and no one escapes this. Some things never change.
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