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

As an old USAF VN vet I was never spoken to in this manner until 20 years after retirement I was traveling with a USAF retired hat and a Navy retired gent came to my table said those wonderful words. It took me a moment to regroup and say it was my honor and wished him the same greeting. I understand the question from many levels.

1. I say it to ole vets wearing military gear
2. Soldiers in uniform

For me it no longer matters, the how to deal with and desire have long been taken care of. Who knows someone may stop me again, I truly do not believe so

As a VN era vet, I can tell you it was way too long before anyone recognized our service. Not only did our service not get recognized in a positive way, we were vilified as baby killers and all sorts of other things without regard to whether or not we were even "in country". When I finished training in early `69, I was sent to Europe and VN was done by the time my tour was over. Europeans didn't treat us any better than our fellow countrymen either, even though "our fathers" saved their asses only twenty years earlier and we were standing between them and the Russians. The only time I am bothered by the "thank you for your service" is when the person saying it is obviously being perfunctory and doesn't sound like they really mean it. Most of the time however it doesn't bother me.

It doesn't bother me in the least to hear someone say that to me, I think it's respectful for people to offer their thanks. The fact is, I did serve my country & they are simply & respectfully thanking me for it. I don't feel like anyone is telling me to go sit down & grow feeble. Most people can see I'm physically & mentally ready to go serve again & I would not have to think twice if I ever got that call to duty once again. I'm sorry you feel this way & maybe you can see it from this point of view & thank you for asking me this question, I really do like staying in touch with those that have served.

I appreciate it when I receive a thank you for your service. I do the same thing when I see veterans that attend our unit functions. I am stationed at Fort Hood and I have seen and meet so many veterans, at the Ceremonies I see the same veterans that attend almost every single event that happens. Every time I am with my father-in-law who is an Army MSG (Ret) and served in Vietnam many times, he is proud to wear his Vietnam veteran hat and a lot of younger and older men and woman are always coming up to him and shaking his hand, and in turn he tells them I am in the service and I get thanked also. Makes me feel good and proud to do what I do.

I was surprised the first time I was told this; after all my service was between wars and had been out a good number of years. I was also welcomed home many years after my service by different-era veterans. I appreciated it and I follow suit when it is appropriate.

My service in the military was a calculated decision. I knew when I signed the dotted line that I was gettng paid to do a job that job came with risks. I enjoyed my time as an active duty Marine and don't need to be thanked for it.

I offer this greeting and I am of the opinion that this recognition and thanks is due and in many instances terribly overdue. Having family members that served and saw combat who then came home and were greeted with hostility instead of a hero’s welcome this is the very least that I can offer. This greeting of recognition and gratitude is not reserved for veterans it is also offered to active duty service members and I am unclear as to why you feel that it implies that you are somehow being put out to pasture. Possibly a trip to your local VA Hospital is in order and I challenge you to offer this greeting to each veteran and active duty service member that you see. Just a hunch on my part but after you receive their replies and witness their reactions I have a feeling that this will go a long way in changing your opinion of the importance of this greeting.

no it doesn't bother me and I love to return the favor so thank you for your service !!!!

To me it is totally dependent on the context. When it's heartfelt, then I appreciate it, say "my pleasure," and move on. When it's insincere, kind of an unspoken "I feel so sorry for you that you were too stupid to get a real job," then it bothers me.

I was chatting with a senior NCO and friend in the lobby of the building I work in the other day. he was in uniform and had stopped in to see me on his way home. A couple of people came up and not only thanked him for his service, but took it way over the top short of asking for his autograph. When they left I looked at him and he felt uncomfortable and I know I certainly did. I have a theory that people feel guilty for how soldiers used to be treated and overcompensate now. Am I off base on this one or is anyone elses perception similar?