"Thank You For Your Service". It's a common phrase but is it what veterans want to hear?

2019-11-08T10:57:27-05:00

The CVN Veterans Day Survey 2019 reveals 58% of veterans and service members told us they'd prefer civilians donate or volunteer. How do you prefer people honor Veterans Day?

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Nov 8 at 2019 11:02 AM

2019-11-08T11:02:40-05:00

Actions speak louder than words.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Nov 8 at 2019 11:39 AM

2019-11-08T11:39:12-05:00

That they show honest gratitude, instead of just hollow words.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Nov 8 at 2019 3:36 PM

2019-11-08T15:36:05-05:00

“Thank for your Service “ is a good start,but showing more interest about VA care,transitioning Veterans to civilian employment,and for me ,most important ,respect the sacrifices of all Military families ,overall civilians today seem a lot more tolerant of those wearing the Uniform and that’s a good thing

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 8 at 2019 4:34 PM

2019-11-08T16:34:19-05:00

I would be happy to hear a sincere thank you. The military is more than a job, it's more than a way of life. The crux is are we willing to die for the love for the country and the fellow man

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Nov 8 at 2019 4:43 PM

2019-11-08T16:43:25-05:00

My preference is more schools, all levels, take the time to listen to Veterans as to why they served, especially those with injuries.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Nov 10 at 2019 8:29 AM

2019-11-10T08:29:35-05:00

Nice words, but even better if followed by action

Response by PO1 Jerome Newland made Nov 10 at 2019 1:46 PM

2019-11-10T13:46:47-05:00

I hear this, and I think at least one person remembers. When I hear a servicemember say it, I know that he knows where it comes from, at a deeper level than a civilian can achieve. We judge the words as hollow because they are repetitive and therefore meaningless. We want to see actions. But, we need to realize the people we talk to rarily have any input or influence over what we want. They are just worker bees. We need to impact people ourselves, in a similar fashion by positive affirmation of the true meaning of what we hear. Not what we think they mean, but by what we know we mean. So, how about this, and pass it along to your VSO's or anywhere else, if someone says "thank you for your service" if it's in person, reach out, shake their hand and say back "thank you for remembering. Smile, be sincere, not because you have to, like a lot of them do, but because it's right, for the good of the service. If you see a wounded warrior, an amputee, an old man in a Legion hat, or any visible sign that they have been there. Go straight to muster the snappiest salute you can and say "sir, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, SIR!!!" Loud enough to show you mean it. Then put a big smile on your face, and shake hands and walk away.
It might be embarrassing the first few times, but you will get the hang of it. You will lift their spirits, restore some lost pride maybe, and maybe at that one point in time you spark some of the old feeling of brotherhood and comradeship between you. We need that guys, and gals, we need that tradition. One that can rise up against racial intolerance, religious persecution, social injustice, we are the largest faction in America that understands freedom isn't free. That the person next to you, doesn't matter who, can be trusted to have your back. Civilian or military, active, or housebound, alive, and dying we are those who can because we are those who did. We don't need to care about how we are treated, but for our mates who are treated worse. No matter where or how they cross our path, military or civilian, we have their backs. We don't fight them, we teach them, we inspire them. We look like and live like we are heroes, that no kind of difficulty, or handicap, is strong enough to break us. The more we join, City councils, mentoring programs, literacy programs, institute community clean ups, plant trees, become scoutmaster, join charities, get a group and start a charity, find your thing, dig in and protect it with your last heartbeat. We are not weak little whiners about how we are treated, somewhere in our service we were treated worse and lived. Who said it was OK to stop living, working, being, in the service of our government, our communities, our churches, our homes. We have a whole day set aside to remember people like us. We need to continue to be worthy of that honor. We should be looking to win Nobel prizes for peace, medals of freedom from a grateful nation, congressional medal of honor, while we are still alive. We don't have to get them, but without rancor or bitterness, we should feel in our hearts that we earned them by our efforts, whether anyone else knows or cares.
So put the cigarette out, finish the drink, go home, shine your shoes, iron your civvies, change your skivies, take a holiday shower, get dressed, check your gig line, and get out there, find your niche, check your six, and dig in for the long haul. You want to get promoted in this outfit, you need to be indispensable, to learn and to teach. DO YOU HEAR ME!! I SAID "DO YOU HEAR ME!!!" Then, don't just stand there, GET BUSY!! Happy Veterans Day it is an honor and a privilege to be one of you.
Jerome R. Newland
Navy Corpsman
Marine Field Medical Tech
Coast Guard Health Services Tech
"Been there, done that. Got the T shirt and the hat."

Response by SGT Steve McFarland made Nov 10 at 2019 5:46 PM

2019-11-10T17:46:40-05:00

I appreciate hearing it.

Response by SPC Robert Bobo made Nov 11 at 2019 10:03 AM

2019-11-11T10:03:57-05:00

Some of the fake people that are quick to say thank you for your service , never display a US flag at there home and don't respect this country

Response by PO2 Ronald Willis made Nov 11 at 2019 7:53 PM

2019-11-11T19:53:01-05:00

My generation was hated, spat upon, assaulted and called baby killers by a significant portion of US society, round about 1965-75. So yeah, mark me down as appreciating the thanks, and offering my thanks to those who followed, including law enforcement officers.

Response by CPL Sheila Lewis made Nov 12 at 2019 9:29 AM

2019-11-12T09:29:16-05:00

Most civilians do not realize the amount of persuasion they have, or resources such as financial funds. They still believe it is "somebody else will do it"/"that happens to somebody else, not me." The Military has to set the good example for the civilians.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 14 at 2019 2:26 PM

2019-11-14T14:26:20-05:00

What do I wan't to hear? "Here's a check for $1,000,000, Bill Gates has decided to sponsor you for the next 20 years or so..."

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Nov 15 at 2019 8:12 AM

2019-11-15T08:12:28-05:00

Once a year it is ok to hear a little appreciation. I like Home Depot and Lowe’s. They give all year.

Response by SPC Jenny Adams made Nov 15 at 2019 8:59 AM

2019-11-15T08:59:50-05:00

My first thought is "I didn't do it for you". I know that sounds selfish and ungrateful, but, if I had other options, a UHC, other types of on the job training, if our tax dollars wasn't spent on corporate subsidies and creating reasons to go to war with countries that cannot possibly compete with our military, if instead that money was spent on the well being of the citizens of this country, then there wouldn't be any need for so many to die in the service of our country.

Response by MAJ Pete Dencker made Nov 15 at 2019 6:54 PM

2019-11-15T18:54:26-05:00

There was an editorial in the local paper a year or so ago that proposed the same question - thought I would include my answer to that editorial here...
Great article Leonard. I wanted to comment though on your thought about veterans getting tired of hearing someone say “thank you for your service”.
I’m elated that today’s veterans are recognized for their service and don’t have to hide the fact that they’ve served their Country. As you suggest it wasn’t always that way. After spending almost 2 ½ years in Vietnam as an Infantry platoon leader and Infantry company commander, stretching from the Cambodian invasion in 1970 to the battle of An Loc in 1972 I finally arrived home in NY at JFK Airport. As I got off the plane and made my way through the gate I could see my Father who was waiting to pick me up. Just as I reached him a young man came up and spit on my uniform and made some comment about the war. I still remember the look on my Father’s face (he was a WWII vet). Through the years Vietnam service was something that few talked about, it was bad enough having to say you’d been there, even harder to explain that you had been there so long. No one could understand - I had an Academy education, extensive training, and after the first 6 months invaluable experience that I knew would enable me to make the right decisions when lives were on the line – I would be able to get more of these 18 and 19 year old kids home - in one piece - than anyone else that the Army could put in my place. When I finally left I was an old man at the age of 25 – I had spent about 1/12th of my life in SE Asia, I felt about 85. Needless to say Memorial Day for me brings back a flood of memories.
It wasn’t until after I moved to Tennessee - I was with my family at one of the local lakes, I can’t remember which – when I returned to my car to move to a legal parking space, I found a note on the windshield. Whoever left the note must have noticed my Purple Heart license plate. The note just said “thank you for your service”. I sat in my car and had a good cry - It was the first time anyone had said that to me. I still have that note, and I still remember the feeling.
Leonard – I never get tired of hearing that – and let’s all, never let these young men and women who serve today feel that this Nation isn’t grateful for the sacrifices they’ve made and continue to make.
To all of you “young and old” servicemen and women – Thank You For Your Service

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2019 8:59 PM

2019-11-15T20:59:49-05:00

On Veterans Day I chained rewatched the Vietnam in HD series on the history channel. Several times VN vets, when talking about coming home, or when looking back on the experience, said things like "if someone had just said thank you..." or words like that. It actually comes off to me as overentirlement when I hear vets say things like thank you isnt enough, donate something. Really? Whens the last time they thanked the American civilians for paying for your military salary, footing the bills for medical care, or for buying trillions of dollars of weapons over the years? The vast majority of Everyday Americans struggle day to day to get by. I just dont think they as individuals owe volunteer time or additional financial contributions to vets. If they want to, and their circumstances allow it, more power to them.

But there are a lot of other worthwhile causes and people that also need help. IMO graciously accept the thank you and leave it at that.

Response by PO2 Jeni Clancy made Nov 17 at 2019 11:48 PM

2019-11-17T23:48:36-05:00

I used to be uncomfortable when someone would thank me for my service, but then I was talking to someone who asked me about my time in the Navy and Desert Storm and I told them it was “my honor” to serve. Something clicked within me when I said that to her because it was so true. So now I’m not uncomfortable at all and when someone says “Thank you for your service.” I respond “It was my honor.” It has been AMAZING...so positive...to see how people respond to that response from me.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Nov 18 at 2019 2:17 PM

2019-11-18T14:17:40-05:00

I would like those who are able help build shelters. Another idea would be use the dying super malls as veteran villages with a medical room, social worker, donated clothing and a cafeteria. This would go so much further than a thank you for my service.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Nov 18 at 2019 3:05 PM

2019-11-18T15:05:28-05:00

I appreciate the sentiment those words express. I hope the people who speak them are working to be the kind of American we are proud to defend. I normally say "thank you." If I now something about the person, I may say "Thank you for your support."

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 20 at 2019 1:56 PM

2019-11-20T13:56:44-05:00

I don’t mind it for a couple reasons. It is usually said in passing, and military service might be a topic that is hard to broach. When I am waiting for. meds at the VA, I thoroughly enjoy talking to veterans and they respond well well as they talk about a bygone era.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Nov 20 at 2019 7:31 PM

2019-11-20T19:31:21-05:00

I'd be happy if anyone remembered this year. My current job doesn't give me the day off...except for two coworkers, who said it in passing, no family said anything to me...oh well.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Nov 22 at 2019 1:54 AM

2019-11-22T01:54:04-05:00

“Thank You for Your Service” seems to be an autonomic reflex!
However; sometimes it is genuine and I appreciate it! That being said; I would definitely Agree supporting the DAV would benefit more Veterans and have a much more Powerful impact than five words!

Response by 2d Lt Cinthia W. made Nov 22 at 2019 3:08 PM

2019-11-22T15:08:20-05:00

I think for some veteran's hearing that thank you and then formulating an appropriate response is the challenge. Do you say "Thanks" or "Thank you for your support", what do you say without making it uncomfortable?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2019 4:42 PM

2019-11-22T16:42:58-05:00

Honest respect requires no words, it requires respect all year round. I guess respect.

Response by SSgt Richard Kensinger made Nov 26 at 2019 12:26 PM

2019-11-26T12:26:54-05:00

I agree w/ the action of donate time and energy to military members and vets as a way to honor them. Almost everyone has someone (s) who have served. Across 3 generations in my family, 11 have served, and 9 of those served during armed conflict. My wife's uncle,Mike was killed during WW Two. she never knew him.
Rich

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 26 at 2019 5:05 PM

2019-11-26T17:05:05-05:00

What others think about my veteran status is not as important to how I feel about serving.

Response by SGT Johnny Owens made Nov 26 at 2019 6:13 PM

2019-11-26T18:13:04-05:00

I would like for them all to read the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States of America, and learn a little about our government and economics, and be responsible citizens.

Response by Sgt Ivan Boatwright made Nov 26 at 2019 6:37 PM

2019-11-26T18:37:00-05:00

I wish they would serve and really understand rather than leave service to the few.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2019 8:29 AM

2019-11-27T08:29:55-05:00

It used to bother me a little bit because I was the same condescending jerk that a lot of veterans are. Then I thought about it...it costs me nothing but a moment, and it makes them feel good. So I politely accept their thanks, respond with something to the effect of “it has been my pleasure to serve” and go about my day. I didn’t join the Army for thanks or praise or free coffee or 10% lumber. I appreciate those things, but I wouldn’t leave the Army if those things stopped.

Response by SGT Johnny Owens made Nov 27 at 2019 6:09 PM

2019-11-27T18:09:10-05:00

Really, it sort of makes me feel guilty, like thanking me for eating cake. I freaking had the time of my life.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 28 at 2019 4:02 PM

2019-11-28T16:02:15-05:00

I find it a treat when am at the VA pharmacy because I can talk to veterans and they always open up by telling me their stories,