Retirees - Do you publically thank those still serving?

COL Jonas Vogelhut — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 20:45:20 -0400

Now that I have retired, as I travel, I still see warfighters in uniform, especially at the airport. I have started going out of my way to thank them, but rarely let on that I also served a respectable 25 years. Most genuinely appreciate the gesture, especially since it is non-obtrusive (and short.) I even started thanking fellow veterans who display their pride with clothing like Korean War hats or Vietnam memorabilia. How about you?

Response by SSG Izzy Abbass made Jul 15 at 2015 8:46 PM

SSG Izzy Abbass — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 20:46:18 -0400

I usually say welcome home.

Response by SGT Forrest Stewart made Jul 15 at 2015 8:46 PM

SGT Forrest Stewart — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 20:46:43 -0400

I totally agree!

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Jul 15 at 2015 8:47 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 20:47:53 -0400

Absolutely!

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Jul 15 at 2015 8:56 PM

SFC Christopher Perry — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 20:56:49 -0400

I always go out of my way to show my respect to those still serving and fellow veterans. Seeing an elderly veteran proudly sporting a cap showing their past service warms my heart.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jul 15 at 2015 8:57 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 20:57:51 -0400

Whenever I see troops in uniform, I greet them, as long as it doesn't disturb what they are doing... This is important, imho...

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jul 15 at 2015 9:08 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 21:08:29 -0400

Yes, as well as paid for the unexpected cup of coffee, meal, toy.
While I don't smoke and would NEVER buy a pack of smokes for anyone.... I understand the addiction to nicotine is real... I watched a Mil spouse choose a treat for her son over the smokes... she had both on the counter...along with dinner.... she told the clerk she did not have enough cash.. The clerk took the toy off the counter and was going to remove it from the bill.. but Mom said no, leave it, remove the smokes... I slipped the child a 20 and walked away to another line.. behind me I heard "mommy, I can pay for my own toy"

Response by SPC Jeffrey Bly made Jul 15 at 2015 9:20 PM

SPC Jeffrey Bly — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 21:20:46 -0400

Some never got a thank you, ever, so I find it necessary to try to do that for them. It just might make that big difference in their lives that they have been needing.

Response by SGT Anthony Rossi made Jul 15 at 2015 9:41 PM

SGT Anthony Rossi — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 21:41:16 -0400

I try and thank those that served before me for establishing the ideal of what a soldier is. It was those GI's that went before me that caused me to raise my hand!

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 15 at 2015 9:50 PM

LTC John Shaw — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 21:50:52 -0400

Absolutely take time to thank anyone in uniform, especially enlisted, I like to get them something, a meal if possible or a small item like coffee, pop a snack and usually it seems appreciated.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 15 at 2015 10:38 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 22:38:15 -0400

I not only thank them publicly, but also privately. In person. By deeds as well as words. I consider my duty as an American. And, as a veteran, I consider it an obligation as much as an older brother would look after one who is younger.

Response by SFC Walt Littleton made Jul 15 at 2015 10:46 PM

SFC Walt Littleton — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 22:46:45 -0400

Absolutely! I do it with pride and dignity. I did my 20 and it's nice to be recognized when I wear my hat and the decal on my truck. These new brothers and sisters have gone far and beyond the call of duty with back to back tours in combat zones!

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 16 at 2015 5:46 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 05:46:55 -0400

I usually give them a nod. It is my personal acknowledgement to them. I don't really want to put anyone on the spot.

Response by CWO2 Davin Jantzen made Jul 16 at 2015 5:58 AM

CWO2 Davin Jantzen — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 05:58:03 -0400

Yes as a retired Naval CWO I think it's important to show those members who are active duty that we respect them for carrying the torch after we had to pass it along. It's a difficult life / job and if we don't acknowledge their service, who else will.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Jul 16 at 2015 9:43 AM

SPC David Hannaman — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 09:43:27 -0400

The key there is "non-obtrusive (and short)". We've probably all been in situations where someone takes hero worship just a bit too far, I much prefer telling the waitress "let me get their check too" and never making direct contact.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 16 at 2015 10:04 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 10:04:12 -0400

Absolutely all the time - I think it is important and I will continue doing it, even if it becomes unpopular!

Response by CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter made Jul 16 at 2015 10:19 AM

CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 10:19:44 -0400

Been doing it for years. Consider it a honor.

Response by PO3 Roy Roach made Jul 16 at 2015 10:27 AM

PO3 Roy Roach — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 10:27:55 -0400

Yes, I live in New England and there are a lot of veterans here. Also, when I go to the VA here, I thank the ones I see there.
It's a good idea to thank them. They have given so much for us.

Response by LTC Scott O'Neil made Jul 16 at 2015 10:36 AM

LTC Scott O'Neil — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 10:36:09 -0400

I thank those Past present and future

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 16 at 2015 10:45 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 10:45:28 -0400

I do Sir but I prefer to do it privately. I do so because when I myself was active duty, I would get embarrassed when people would make a public spectacle of my service.
Like you I even thank fellow veterans. I'll see them wearing their veteran pride clothing and I'll go up to them and say "Marine Corps huh?" (or whichever branch they served in) and shake their hand and tell them that I was in the Navy (if I'm not wearing a Navy hat or my "Dysfunctional Veteran Leave Me Alone" hat).

Response by MSgt David Haupt made Jul 16 at 2015 10:52 AM

MSgt David Haupt — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 10:52:46 -0400

Yes I do.

Response by SSG Red Hoffman made Jul 16 at 2015 11:03 AM

SSG Red Hoffman — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 11:03:56 -0400

Absolutely. In an age when veterans and active duty feel neglected by their elected officials, a little respect and acknowledgement can go a long way, especially from a fellow veteran.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jul 16 at 2015 3:46 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 15:46:30 -0400

I also thank law enforcement and others who risk their lives to keep me safe.

Response by SPC Michelle Nelson - Thompson made Jul 17 at 2015 12:13 AM

SPC Michelle Nelson - Thompson — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 00:13:16 -0400

Yes but I keep it low key. Sometimes people are too aggressive with it. I also thank other veterans. I feel through doing this I'm not only honoring them but the ones who served with them that never came home.

Response by CWO3 Bryan Muche made Jul 17 at 2015 11:15 AM

CWO3 Bryan Muche — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 11:15:21 -0400

Absolutely. Band of brothers always and forever.

Response by CPT Erik Eriksen made Jul 21 at 2015 5:36 PM

CPT Erik Eriksen — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 17:36:20 -0400

I don't normally just walk by and say, "Thank you for your service." I find that this is an annoying knee-jerk politically correct comment with about the same level of sincerity as: 'Have a nice day.' or 'Let's do lunch.' It seems that this is said more to make the speaker feel good about himself/herself than actually making the soldier feel better.

I will go talk to a soldier or veteran and do my upmost to make them feel like they are important and appreciated. Because they are!

Response by SGT Phyllis Conover made Mar 10 at 2022 12:45 AM

SGT Phyllis Conover — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 00:45:28 -0500

Just today, I saw Soldier across the street and enthusiastically waved to him and he waved proudly back. I believe he felt the pride in my wave.

Response by Sgt Dell Narramore made Mar 10 at 2022 12:50 AM

Sgt Dell Narramore — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 00:50:56 -0500

How does someone report a military imposter that is using this site!

Response by CW3 Raymond Mead made Mar 12 at 2022 2:23 PM

CW3 Raymond Mead — Sat, 12 Mar 2022 14:23:25 -0500

I don’t like being thanked for my service. I was a draftee, from 1965 to 1967. The service was a great experience. The following 47 months, not so much. And it’s strange but I never heard anyone say thanks to anyone who served. I don’t like being thanked for me service. I had people actually tell that they were glad that I served because they or their son didn’t have to. But the one who I will never forget was the guy with $100,000 diesel pusher RV who told me that I made the wrong career choice. I didn’t do it to be thanked. I usually just reply happy to do it, I wasn’t busy that year.
And I did return to active duty and serve another eighteen years. But the worst thing it that I have turned into the retired lifer that I always hated!