How do you respond when someone says "Thank you for your service"?

2 Things…I don’t wear clothes, have number stickers, or otherwise advertise my time in service now that I’ve retired. Many with whom I work don’t even know. That’s helps avoid those situations. 2nd…I usually reply with, “Thank you for that. There are a lot more who sacrificed a lot than I did”.

I was fortunate enough to walk away after 27’ish years. Any weren’t. Thanks from others compounds my gratefulness and memory of those who couldn’t walk away or left the greatest part of themselves in the service. As a 20+ year medic, that was the greatest part of my service…taking care of others while in a clinical setting, and taking care of the team when we were out. I don’t find it nearly as awkward coming from each other as I do coming from others.

Not intending to get all sappy…Just to stay on topic, and in keeping with the awkwardness, “thank you” to each of you out there who served or are still serving. Don’t forget to reach out and check on each other, and not just on the big days marked on the calendar. We’re all going through something that perhaps only other service members understand. Some of us are closer than family. While God and his Son Jesus have been great to me and given me a wife and family that I don’t deserve, some of us only have or had each other. Be there for each other.

While not formally a thing…if you know someone who supported or is supporting a service member, or lost their service member, consider taking a moment to thank them for being there, supporting, or caring for that service member. It doesn’t have to be on Veteran's Day, but maybe some other time.

Be safe out there. Take care of yourselves and each other!

I am proud to live in Idaho where everyone and everywhere individuals thank me for my service. I proudly have a sticker on my car and where my Navy Vietnam ball cap of being in the Navy and serving our country. In the mornings at the middle school, I get to say the pledge of allegiance with my hat over my heart and with the middle school youth. God bless America.

My answer is alway… “thank you, but the real thanks go to my wife for holding down the fort, being 2 parents while I was away, so I didn’t have to worry about what’s going on at home.

"Thank you for thanking me. They didn't in 1972".

Thank you. It was an honor serving our country.

I reply that it was my honor to serve my nation.

When someone tell me "thanks for my service", I tell them it was an honor! And I do feel that way!

I simply respond "I did it for you".

I used to say "Thank you for paying your taxes, none of us would have done it for free." but have since stopped because I don't think any of us did it for the money. Now I just say "Thank you and don't forget to thank the family members of those who served because they are often forgotten."

I say, “You’re welcome. It was an honor to serve.”