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

I'm actually mad when they say welcome home. Like educate yourself.

I tell people thx and say it was an honor to serve and I did it for them and country

I am not at all bothered hearing this. Additionally, I feel honored to both hear it, and to impart that same sentiment on those Veterans, particularly from previous wars, where the hardships endured was in many cases exponentially greater than that experienced by many of our latest generation of Veterans. (I mean no detraction to recent Veterans by this statement, only a recognition of the deplorable conditions previous Veterans had to endure both on the battlefield, AND upon their tumultuous return home.)

I say it, both as a DAV and brother because I know many, especially our Korean and Vietnam Veterans either heard nothing or what they heard was unthinkable. For me it is a sign of respect, just as we saluted officers or used terms that have been taken for respect (Top, Gunny, SarMaj, etc). I also know that the era I served in (the 80's) if you were Guard/Reserve you were considered by many (active duty) to be 2nd class soldiers. (This despite the fact that we have served in every major conflict/war since before the US was a nation, and served more combat tours than many Regular Active Duty.) Also I remember the year that I spent AGR and had just got married as well. I realize that the spouses also served, so I thank the families as well. They have to be prepared to have their Military loved one gone and have the prospect of raise their children alone. They serve(d) as well. So, many of us see that as a way of saying thank you.

It should never bug a veteran.

Yes it does, at times. Especially when it is coming from someone that refused to allow their children to join the military and they themselves didn't serve, but are willing to let other people serve in their place. To me it is patronizing and hypocritical.

The only real dilemma I face is I am never really sure how to respond back to the person thanking me, other than "you are welcome" which makes me feel arrogant for some reason. Anyone else can relate?

It doesn't bother me. They don't mean anything negative.

I do my best to try and hide my service now a days. I want to be known for what I'm doing in the present, not live in the glory days gone by. When veterans pander to having their ass kissed it makes sick and I figure most of those guys are spoons/CAB's living with the guilt and resentment of making the choice to not go in all the way. I served honorably but I'm not gonna lie, some of the things I did and helped do I sometimes wonder if I should be thanked for... There's a balance, we did good and bad. I like to think on most days my actions hit 51% good. For the guys having a tough time coming to peace with themselves it can be kinda tough to hear.

On the one hand, it weirds out my inner hard ass, as I was just doing my job, but on the other hand, it's a sign that we're appreciated, and that gives me hope that we can bridge the gap between veterans and civilians! Basically, it's better to grin and bear praise that feels weird than the backhanded condescension of the Michael Moore's, the Kristen Stewart's (see the Daily Beast interview in relation to the movie Camp X-Ray), and the douche nozzles on certain cable news channels who like to wax faux intellectual about modern warfare! Oh, and those who know me know that I was raised by a Vietnam veteran, and I'll tolerate the complements because I watch him appreciate them because when he first came home, he got the absolute opposite the first time around!