Should people stop thanking Veterans for their service?

When I was on my way home from Afghanistan I was, unfortunately, traveling in uniform. I hate doing it, but it was all I had. I was at my gate at DFW. I think I was connecting through Atlanta or Charlotte. I can't remember. Anyhow, this nice older lady, probably in her 60s, approached me and gave me the hand shake and the thank you. She was one of the ones that you could tell was sincere in doing it. I returned her thanks with courteous appreciation despite the discomfort I always feel when I'm approached like that.

Fast forward to landing. I had been forced to check my carry on at the gate so when I got off the plane I had to wait for them to unload it and get it up to the ramp. The same lady was waiting for her bag as well. She saw me and smiled and approached me again. She held out her hand and said that she just wanted to thank me again so I went to shake her hand. I realized as I did that she was trying to give me money. I told her that while I appreciated her thanks and her generosity that I couldn't take it. She seemed a little hurt or something at first and the whole thing turned into a brief, courteous argument. I ended up telling her that the people that put the uniform on don't do it for thanks or rewards or recognition, we do because we want to and so that other people don't have to. I continued by saying that we do sincerely appreciate the gratitude that we're shown by folks like her but that our values don't allow us to take gifts like that. I ended the interaction by giving her a hug and thanking her for recognizing our sacrifices. She seemed pleased with that.

That was a moving article. When it first began after the Gulf War, I think people were shamed into doing it because of what happened to our Vietnam brothers and sisters. I think its reached a point of overload now where people think they are expected to do it and be reciprocated for it which makes a lot of us uncomfortable - especially where they are expecting you to "accept" something like money, SSG (Join to see) or a spot in line SFC William Laws to make them feel they have done their good deed. Like the article says, I think we need to make it a personal gesture towards someone we know and really make it count or donate to an organization or local VFW/American Legion. I know that money for those organizations during these times is always a welcomed, "Thanks".

I know I still and probably will continue to do it as a matter of "let's not forget" but I first introduce myself as a vet and thank them for carrying on the proud tradition, hopefully making them feel less uncomfortable.

This is a very interesting article. Rather than just saying an "empty thank you", I think people should think of why they are thanking us. I feel if they focus on the "why" more they will appreciate the results of what we do.

It does feel awkward being thanked by folks. I mostly just say your welcome and leave it at that. Just a couple of months ago I paid for a young Army SPC's (he was in uniform) haircut at my barbershop. As I thanked him I told him that I was appreciative of young men and women stepping up and serving America. He told me it made him feel very grateful being thanked by a fellow veteran who actually had meaning to the thank you.

Not until I get about thirty years of "Catch up" to erase the decades of scorn.

Great article here. Brings a lot of insight that many people may have honestly just over looked. It may feel odd when someone thanks me for allowing their hobbies, sports, lifestyles, and many other freedoms to continue. Then again I know its all possible because we preserve our way of life as Americans and will protect all it entails. Thanking me for my service is sufficient for me. I don't ask for any accolades or special treatment. Heck, a high five is all I may just need!

SSG Robert Burns I totally agree with this article, but they missed one that I think is absolutely necessary for the future of our country. Thank a veteran by Voting in all elections...

While the title of the article caught me a bit off guard (and I believe that was the intent) I find myself in agreement with the author, in principle at least. I've often wondered whether all or any of the thanks we have all received were actually heart felt, or out of a feeling of something they are expected to do, or even guilt. The author proposes a much more realistic, believable, and meaningful alternative to the ordinary 'thank you for your service'. Good 'Food for Thought'.

Personally, I don't care if I'm thanked or not. Too many times it seems hollow and awkward. I served for my own reasons, most that anyone who has never served would understand. There was another topic where this was discussed & I know appreciation from other vets and SM's was more important to me. Thanking us being PC makes it that much less sincere.

As a Vietnam Era vet that served in Berlin, I seen first hand many times the guys coming into the west coast went through. Let the population remember. This is just a pendulum. It will swing the other way soon enough.