Should people stop thanking Veterans for their service?

I get my medical care at the local VA and when I get monotone, rote, slightly rude at times service by the medical staff and doctors there followed by the routine, unemotional, disingenuous " Thank You For Your Service" followed by NEXT IN LINE as they stare right through me as if I no longer exist bothers me. I'm a Vietnam era Navy vet so I got use to no recognition and it still feels uncomfortable to hear it repeatedly used especially when people use it like they are saying "have a nice day" you know they don't really in there heart really care if i have a nice day! I would much rather people just say "Have a nice day" It's polite and something I'm use to hearing. if someone really means it and bothers to inquire about my service, then I don't mind someone saying " Thank you for your service" Anyway that's my two cents worth.

I am very uncomfortable being thanked for my service. Like most service members, I spent 99% of my down time sitting around thinking of games to prevent from being bored. Because of this discomfort, I rarely traveled in uniform to avoid this interaction. Not to mention it makes you a tactical target, but that is besides the point.

Fact of the matter is, civilians DO NOT understand us. No matter how many friends or relatives they have had in the military, they don't get it. And they never will. They have never gone through the training, sleep deprivation, malnutrition, and conditioning we have. And because of all that, a thanks for service is the best they can do. And it really should continue. I would much rather be thanked for my service and share a few stories than to be called a "baby killer" and "tool of the corporate elite/new world order."

This might be off topic a bit but I was catching a plane when a bunch of troops were returning from the middle east, in uniform, and somehow as an RVN vet I wanted to say something. I talked to a guy and thanked him. We got into a quick conversation and I admitted I was a vet from RVN. He gave me a button that he had pulled off the coat of an enemy, a trooper of Hassan. Somehow there was a connection and I keep this button next to the Bronze Star I got in a drawer. Please don't stop thanking the folks coming back - - it likely means more than you think.

I think this is a great article and the author makes some very good points. Nobody made anyone here join the military, it was a choice that each of us made. I don't mind being thanked, but at the same time it doesn't bother me if people don't say anything. I've been offered cups of coffee and I've had my share of people thanking me and while it can be a bit weird for me I think about how the uniform that I'm wearing represents much more than me. And I also agree with SSG (Join to see), for some of these people that hand shake and thanking you can mean a lot for that person.

I know that when I see an active service member now out and about, I tend to thank them by anonymously purchasing for them what they are buying. Usually at a sandwich shop or such. I do not feel like making them uncomfortable by calling them out publicly, but I believe that showing them my thanks is greater than telling them my thanks. Most of the time, I get away with the service member none-the wiser. However, sometimes they catch up and I have had some great conversations. Everyone needs to feel appreciated once in a while, even those who profess to not "needing" the accolade, I would posit are genuinely pleased inwardly at having received the gratitude. My actions are as much for me as it is for them, and that is probably true for many people out there, they want to feel connected to this generations hero's, whether you believe you are or not is irrelevant to their need.

I don't really care if it is awkward of heartfelt. I'd much rather them say it than not, even if they don't truly mean it. I am sure our Vietnam brothers would have preferred emotionless thanks as opposed to open scorn.

Except for extreme situations I also don't understand how this is so awkward. I get thanked daily for my service and I simply reply back with "Thank you for your support" and carry on about my day.

No I think people feel better about saying thank you. Its there good deed for the day. Do they really mean it? Im sure some do.....I never really know what to say....Usually just say "Proud to Serve" and get away before it gets awkward

I didn't join to be thanked or congratulated. I served for the love of country.

ETR3 Cagle, I'm a submariner and have only a couple of years of service but I have a couple of ideas on this. For me it was and largely still is something I don't believe I will ever get used to hearing. When I left my A school to go join the boat, our instructor told us a story of when he was going through bootcamp. The people that are thanking us are not necessarialy saying it to you, they are saying thank you to all the members who went out and didn't come back home. You are an envoy of fathers, brothers, and other loved ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. By being in uniform, you are continuing the belief of American principles and carrying the torch that has been passed to you in your decision. People can feel social pressure and a sense of obligation/guilt to say something or offer up a gesture of kindness and while it is an appreciated act is not why we do what we do on a daily basis. Our time away from home is spent to carry out acts that other don't so we can protect those who can't.

As a Veteran, I didn't join to get recognition. I joined the Military because I wanted to serve my Country, and better myself in the process. No, i dont think we should be thanked for our service. Just silently know that we did what we did, because we wanted to.