Welcome home! Does anyone else get told this by civilians who see them in uniform? Does it bother you?

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 16:14:55 -0400

Does any one else get welcomed home by people who just see them in uniform? Does it bother you?

I understand civilians are looking for a way to thank Service Members for their service, kind of like when they salute us. It used to bother me more before I had deployed anywhere. It's starting to again as I have been "home" for a year.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 4:24 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 16:24:27 -0400

RP's latest negative-nancy here for a somber and almost irrelevant opinion:

I am bothered, but I'm pretty much bothered when any random person comes up to me attempting to engage me in conversation to which there is no clear goal.

I wish people would stick with "thank you for your service", and not make assumptions about the person they're talking to. My personal preference is to just let me eat my burger.

It's especially awkward when you're in the currently national guard, have never combat-deployed (patch-less, in other words), and you're just on your lunch break. C'est la vie.

Response by SPC Nate Lamphier made May 7 at 2015 4:40 PM

SPC Nate Lamphier — Thu, 07 May 2015 16:40:08 -0400

It never bothered me. I usually got the "thank you for your service and welcome home" comment....which I'm sure would drive some on here up the walls.

I just saw it as a way of them thanking me for what I had just gone through while not being able to relate to it personally.

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 7 at 2015 4:56 PM

SFC Stephen King — Thu, 07 May 2015 16:56:54 -0400

I take pride when someone noticed weighed and remembered that I choose to serve and acknowledge it.

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made May 7 at 2015 5:07 PM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Thu, 07 May 2015 17:07:13 -0400

As a person who felt like much of an outcast for most of my civilian life, to be told 'welcome home ' means something special to me . I absolutely love serving in the Army and I feel like belong to something special. So yes, I embrace the welcomes.

Response by SFC Charles S. made May 7 at 2015 5:27 PM

SFC Charles S. — Thu, 07 May 2015 17:27:34 -0400

Why would or should it annoy anyone? The civilians are saying it to honor you. Granted they may be mistaken or not being totally observant or even thinking beyond seeing the uniform... only an ingrate would take offense.

At least they are saying something nice to you. Think of all of the vietnam veterans who were spit on and called every name under the sun when they returned. I would rethink your values if this annoys or offends you in any way shape or form.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 5:52 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 17:52:14 -0400

Civilians do not understand.
Personally, when I meet a Vietnam Veteran I thank them and welcome them home. That was not something they recieved when they did come home.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 7 at 2015 6:15 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Thu, 07 May 2015 18:15:44 -0400

My wife and I went to dinner with my brother and his family at this really nice restaurant in Little Rock, Arkansas. I am not sure what he told the manager or the food server but they were telling me "welcome home". Up to that time, I hadn't deployed in a few years. I was on leave and not in uniform.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 8:17 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 20:17:17 -0400

The day that I get annoyed over civilians/veterans/children sharing niceties with me for my Service whether "Thank you for your service", "Welcome home", or anything of that ilk, is the day I need to hang up my stripes for good. They are the reason that we do this.

Response by MSgt Brian Welch made May 7 at 2015 9:05 PM

MSgt Brian Welch — Thu, 07 May 2015 21:05:14 -0400

SGT Sterling, many Americans don't have an understanding of the military but they still have an appreciation of it. I can't tell you how many times I was asked "What do you fly"?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2015 7:19 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 May 2015 07:19:40 -0400

I would take that with kindness, and prefer that treatment instead of being spitted on and called baby killers like our vietnam vets brothers did

Response by SFC Joseph James made May 8 at 2015 7:52 AM

SFC Joseph James — Fri, 08 May 2015 07:52:21 -0400

I have no problem hearing it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2015 11:55 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 May 2015 11:55:20 -0400

I say keep it coming it lets me and all other service members know that our country is behind us and appreciates what we do.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 12:16 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 12:16:32 -0400

They still do tell me "Welcome Home" from time to time. Even though I have been out for three years now.

Although appreciated. I still wish more would welcome back and thank all war and conflict vets.
I am still very angry for how Vietnam and Korean Vets have been treated!

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made May 29 at 2015 2:05 PM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Fri, 29 May 2015 14:05:07 -0400

I'll file this in the 'NOPE' category.