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

Not at all...I was in an airport recently with my wife waiting for our flight and was wearing my retired Air Force hat. I saw this lady approaching with her luggage and she was looking at me kind of strange. She came up, raised her hand and took mine and said thank you for your service! My wife started tearing up and I told her I really appreciated that! Others saw what happened and the next thing I know several people are shaking my hand! It was a humbling experience, but made me feel good.

Take it as a compliment, acknowledge and move on. They're thanking you for your service, nothing more, nothing less. However, I often wonder, do they know what they are really thanking us for.

I understand what the original poster is saying, but Personally It does not bother me. People want to let it be known that they are thankful for the things we do. I came out of service in the 90's, even after Desert Shield and Storm you never heard anyone say anything, So now when it does happen it makes me feel better that at least some folks appreciate the the things we did.

It does not bother me in the least and it happened all the time when I on active duty. Riding the metro back and forth to the Pentagon I was always being thanked for my service. I would often reply thank you for paying your taxes because I could not do this for free. I would also be met with a gauntlet of protestors everyday as I entered the Pentagon. It was a good check to know that my job is to protect and defend the Constitution and that freedom of speach was alive and well even if I whole-heartedly disagreed with that speech.

SPC would you rather be thanked for your service or called a baby killer and spit on? That is what we returned too forty years ago so now when someone thanks me for my service I get a feeling of pride. For years I tried to hide the fact that I served only in the last few years have I let it be known that I did with any kind of pride so to answer your question yes I like it when people thank me for my service.

No not at all....I think sometimes I feel guilty to hear it when I think about all the Vietnam Vet.'s who didn't get it....I rather hear a "Thank you" then a "_uck you!" wouldn't you?

I feel extremely uncomfortable when someone thanks me for my service. I have a deep love for the military, and am hurt at a primal level when a douche bag shits on it. You know about the traitors of which I speak.

However, I have gained far more from service than I could ever pay. I have been a Soldier longer than I've been an adult, and it has fundamentally shaped me. I should thank them for allowing me to put on the uniform. I should thank them for paying me to follow my passion. I am grateful that America allows me to shape the warriors of the future, and those who will protect our freedoms when I no longer can. I am grateful that I can assure the safety of my children and grandchildren.

I can't understand why they thank me, when I should be thanking them.

When someone stops to tell me they appreciate me for serving, it makes me very proud. In 1967 , when I came home from Vietnam, I was called all kind of names, ignored by civilians and veterans of other wars. I tried once to join VFW and American Legion but was turned down because they didn't consider Vietnam a war. I was embarrassed, pissed off, and hurt, so I did what most Vietnam vets did. I went into seclusion and suffered with PTSD for over 40 years before I tried to commit suicide. I finally went to the VA and got help and they really cared. I was rated100% permanent and total. Now, I'm still in my comfort zone but I like being thanked for my service.

nope, dont really have a problem with it. if its coming from alot of people, then thats actually a good thing in my book. that means more people are aware of the struggles us vets go through. and they are aware of the current status of our country. its really all in how they say it. you can tell when someone is being sincere.

This bothers me something AWEFUL. I think that the military teaches us to be professional and humble. So when I'm singled out I get embarrased. I sincerely believe that all good citizens are good citizens. Pat taxes, vote, report for jury duty when caleed upon, obey are laws..... Not everyone can make it in the military. Not everyone should even try but if you have the stuff and dedication, love of country and the ability then you have a responsibility.
I don't want to be thanked for that.