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

After being spit on and call horrible things I really like "Thank you for your service".
Just one OLD GUY'S opinion.

NO! When I receive a Thank you for your Service I respond with Thank you for your support.

I tell both young and old service folks thank you for their service because I am sincerely thankful. When I came home from VN 45 years or so ago friends and family didn't like to acknowledge that I had served in VN....

I was recently at a Utah Grizzlies game and noticed a Navy Vietnam Veteran in the stands. As I always do, I went down and introduced myself as a fellow veteran, shook his hand, thanked him for his service, and also told him 'Welcome Home'. He was so appreciative and we talked and got to know each other. Great times. I for one love to hear the patriotism from those folks that will acknowledge the service and sacrifice because they appreciate what we have done for the cause of freedom.

I'm rather perplexed by this question. Obviously, SPC Buck witnessed something that caused this question to come up, or he's feeling like it puts him in the spotlight or under a microscope, which can be uncomfortable in itself.

I am ALWAYS appreciative of when people recognize and express thanks for the service I rendered to this nation. I did not sacrifice legs or other body parts, but I sacrificed time and effort in Command at other positions that were not very easy and were always demanding. I put in extra time, unpaid. That was the right thing to do. I invested in my troops personally, and also was the right thing to do. I went above and beyond quite often, and too was the right thing to do.

So, no it doesn't bother me in the least nor should it bother any other current or prior service member of the US Armed Forces.

I think the world would a much better place if a lot of people were told thank you more. My mom was an ER trauma nurse and nothing meant more to her than when people would come back to the ER the next day or after they healed and thank her and the rest of the trauma team for helping them. "Thank you" is a very powerful gift to give and receive.

I have been thanked numerous times...and my response is always the same: "It was absolutely my pleasure." Because it was. I was willing to stand in a gap for those who couldn't/wouldn't.

I retired in Aug 2002 with 24 years of service and like to hear that. Larry, that is one way to interpret the comment, but I lean toward it being a solemn thank you. When someone says to me "Thank you for your service" I proudly tell them thank you and that I am still serving. Just my two cents, my oath of enlistment never expires.

It does not bother me. Instead, it humbles me because I know there are grateful people out there and I know some of my comrades gave much more. Sometimes, we live in a country of extremes. We don't see everyone and when looking at the news or media, you can get a negative attitude if you allow it, but when someone takes the time to just shake your hand and say thank you, that small gesture is displaying a gratitude that is more than likely the heart and soul of our country; the people who are grateful.

It used to, but no longer. I have come to the realization that people just want to express their gratitude. As a representative of the Armed Services Community, it fosters more goodwill to reply with a polite "You're Welcome" than to let it irritate you. If You're Welcome isn't your style, reply in kind with a "I am grateful I had the opportunity". It's sort of a small compliment back towards the person. If that is still out of your comfort zone, then "Best job I ever had" will do.