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

Over the years they have become just words people say. This is no longer the America I honorably served.

I use, “Thank you for your support.”

I respond. “Thank you for your support.”

IMO, its difficult to except thanks when you have been demeaned, insulted and attacked in this country as baby killers during and years after Nam! How many thank u's are really sincere and how many are just empty show. You'd have had to serve back in the 60s to really understand this. When people thank me for serving, in some ways it saddens and hurts. I'd almost rather not be thanked then to be reminded of the past. At times when being thanked, I think: "If they only knew what it was really like, returning not just with no honors, but absolute disdain. If you wore a military uniform, you could pretty much count on the coming insults. We should have been proud of wearing our uniforms and serving, but sadly that was not the case. So, for the most part, you can thank me by not thanking me.

That is why, when people thank me for my service, I answer back "appreciated" in an empty sort of way and just quickly move on!

"Thanks, but i only did it to get that sweet 10% discount at Home Depot"

!I never welcome I say who denial the service of my father VA Manila' always denied our claim service connected not rate at VA Manila from 1980 up to 1985 he suffering of many illness cerebrovascular Accedent or stroke thrombosis acute, bronchitis in 1983 cerebrovascular Accedent or stroke hypertension or high blood pressure, bronchitis , thrombosis acute the ultimate couse of his life end cerebrovascular Accedent, cardiovascular arrist thrombosis this a presumptive condition related to PACT Act, infact all requirements and regulations from VA I meet them step by step, A) I am legitimate child or biological child of veterans
A) I am 16 Year old in 1980 when the veterans suffering of his many illness
A) I am a member of veterans house hold from 1980 up to his death in 1985 and continue up to the death of my mother in 2002.
A) I am disabled person Lost of hearing from 7 Year old in 1977 up to now I am jobless up to now why the VA always denied our claim the VA Manila' only malaria server in 1952 up to now denied for zero dawn percent at VA rating not compensable how about service connected disability not rate from 1980 up to his death up to now .I apply for Filipino veterans Equity compensation fund at VA Manila before expiration Feb ,26,2010 the VA Manila' only living veterans are to receive at this present Year I re file Filipino veterans Equity compensation fund at VA Manila and VA Janesville WI u.s.a the VA Manila' reply that is already expired what kind of human officer in Manila. Last year I file PACT Act at VA Manila and VA Janesville WI maybe Manila waiting for expiration and Said to me that is already expired this happen during my claim for Filipino veterans Equity compensation.
How I can say to reply thanks for your service maybe I said thank you for denied service of my father.

I always say back, "Thank you, I truly appreciate your awareness of me being a veteran, thank you

It depends. Sometimes I say "thanks for noticing!" Usually I say "I was proud to serve." I like thanks for your support, too.

"You're welcome." (With a smile)

I thank them for their support, smile and say “You were worth it.” That usually brings a look of surprise and a smile to their face.