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

A lot of excellent responses. I usually respond with thank you. It does not bother me, because these folks mean well, and often times, it is fellow veterans.

Had the pleasure of handing out poppies for the American Legion recently. Many of those who donated thanked me for my service. I didn't think any of it was contrived. Some had served themselves.

To civilians that is their way of expressing the appreciation of the sacrifices that you made. They do not know what else to say. I would rather they say that than ignore it.

I say to all young, old, in uniform,and with a Veteran hat on. I am also a Iraq combat Veteran and I love to say it and appreciate every time I hea it.

I have heard the Thank yous and at first they made me very uncomfortable. The more I thought about it the more I began to realize that is was an honor to serve my country and my fellow Americans. SO normally when some one says thank you for your service I answer back with "it was my honor."

Larry, I am a medically retired Chief Petty Officer. I think it's a matter of perspective, I guess, because I've never heard anyone complain about being "thanked"; for anything. To me, it's simply a sign of respect and recognition of someone's appreciation for what we've done; what we accomplished.

I also beleive it took a whole generation to convince and motivate civilians to say it and not be embarrassed.

I'm an advocate of thanking people for their service, active or veteran.

I feel it is a pretty empty and lazy statement, personally. I understand people have been sort of "trained" to thank us. I'd rather have a conversation with someone than a quick passing TYFYS!

It's just lost its meaning (granted it can have a meaning to you) as it's just used as much as any "greeting" - Think of all the guys getting Article 15s and other UCMJ actions who have been thanked for their service by others. Really loses its touch after awhile.

There is another website I frequent where "TYFYS" is used as a very sarcastic statement and in jest. Speak to me like a normal human being - not a poster child.

It does make me uncomfortable because I don't know how to respond. I have chosen to say, "I am honored to serve".

SPC Larry Buck

DON'T THANK ME FOR MY SERVICE...and yet another article that states the same opinion as the OP.

I am mystified that a SM could take a 'thank you' as anything other than that.

However, this article digs into the very essence of what the OP was probably trying to iterate...I'm interested in everyones thoughts on this...and if it goes along with the thinking of those that disapprove of hearing the words, 'thank you for your service'.

Is there some PTSD history? Does this article convey your opinions succinctly?

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/02/22/sunday-review/please-dont-thank-me-for-my-service.html?referrer=&_r=0

As a Viet Nam Vet I've had much worse said to me. Now about 5 years ago the people who called me names and ignored me thank me. Many times with the additional, "I would have gone but was not drafted", neither was I RA1158****. Some I tell them if they would like to see combat someone would help them out. It is easy to be thankful when you have done nothing and the danger has passed. Clearly even the VA wishes we would go away.

Today when I meet young service members I stick out my hand and say "' Thank you Sgt, Airman, Capt, , is there anything I can do for you". If I cannot determine their rank, like if they are in the Navy, I address them as soldier, sailor etc. If I see them with their family at a Restaurant I pay their bill with a note...From one vet to another...Namaste ! (I recognize the warrior in you)

But as to the question...there are some folks who are sincere and I accept that. They don't know what else to say as they don't know us. The Ricky recons...well depends on my mood but generally they piss me off.