Posted on May 5, 2014
Why are some individuals offended when a civilian thanks them for their service? You should be proud to represent those who sacrificed.
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When I hear some individuals being offended by "thank yous" I want to throw a fit. Because these comments are NOT just about us and is NOT just combat veterans. It is about Veterans who never came home or disabled heroes (and yes I used that 'term") with no legs, arms and a voice box.
If one of these veterans lose a leg to a land mine or a booby trap they come home to stairs. They may be called baby-killers or even...... spat upon.
It is about Veterans dying from the effects of Agent Orange or the asbestos that causes lung cancers. It is also about the families who lost families and mothers who stayed behind and tried to raise their kids the best that they could.
It is about young men who were drafted before they got to experience the many joys of life. There was once a song called, "Billy Don't Be A Hero". A teenage girl is begging her boyfriend not to take too many risks and please come back. In the song he doesn't come back. She doesn't care about 'a medal'.
Those scenarios were all too common. Where the corpses of our predecessors lay deep upon jungle floors, twisted figures who will never hear the "thank yous" or some calling them a 'Hero'.
To the families, a letter and a postcard seem little consolation because those ribbons and flags will never be seen. So excuse me if false modesty seems so out of touch. Look at that older veterans who is fiercely proud that they joined.
For those military members who fixed your meals or delivered your mail are heroes of a kind. Not one of you can tell me that those letters (especially from a sweetheart) didn't make your day.
For all the young veterans who show no poise or respect-- please grow up. You dishonor yourself and your families and more than anyone you dishonor your brothers and sisters in the services.
So you see, to the Vietnam Veteran is may be payback for the indignities of post-war receptions. Many of those protestors who sat at home smoking weed and getting high and then telling the veterans that they are stupid because they served.
This is what those statements mean. It is not about them and it is not about you or I necessarily. It is about people who sacrifice and feel disgraced for their courage and their leaders resolve.
So shake hands with the WWII Veteran and Korean Veteran because before too many years it all becomes hazy and remote.
If a person thanks you be sure to stand tall and respectful because it matters.
If one of these veterans lose a leg to a land mine or a booby trap they come home to stairs. They may be called baby-killers or even...... spat upon.
It is about Veterans dying from the effects of Agent Orange or the asbestos that causes lung cancers. It is also about the families who lost families and mothers who stayed behind and tried to raise their kids the best that they could.
It is about young men who were drafted before they got to experience the many joys of life. There was once a song called, "Billy Don't Be A Hero". A teenage girl is begging her boyfriend not to take too many risks and please come back. In the song he doesn't come back. She doesn't care about 'a medal'.
Those scenarios were all too common. Where the corpses of our predecessors lay deep upon jungle floors, twisted figures who will never hear the "thank yous" or some calling them a 'Hero'.
To the families, a letter and a postcard seem little consolation because those ribbons and flags will never be seen. So excuse me if false modesty seems so out of touch. Look at that older veterans who is fiercely proud that they joined.
For those military members who fixed your meals or delivered your mail are heroes of a kind. Not one of you can tell me that those letters (especially from a sweetheart) didn't make your day.
For all the young veterans who show no poise or respect-- please grow up. You dishonor yourself and your families and more than anyone you dishonor your brothers and sisters in the services.
So you see, to the Vietnam Veteran is may be payback for the indignities of post-war receptions. Many of those protestors who sat at home smoking weed and getting high and then telling the veterans that they are stupid because they served.
This is what those statements mean. It is not about them and it is not about you or I necessarily. It is about people who sacrifice and feel disgraced for their courage and their leaders resolve.
So shake hands with the WWII Veteran and Korean Veteran because before too many years it all becomes hazy and remote.
If a person thanks you be sure to stand tall and respectful because it matters.
Heroes
Gratitude
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 18
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I just say "thank you for your support" and move on. And when I see a hat on someone that indicates a veteran I thank them. As MAJ Dews mentioned I don't see it as a personal thanks but a thank you to all the people dressed like me.
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SSgt (Join to see)
I respect your humbleness and you are totally correct as I see it. Thanks for your commitment.
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My go to line is usually, "You're welcome, we veterans are grateful for your support".
I always shake the hand of someone in uniform and I never let a veteran hat walk by me without shaking their hand. Best encounter yet was an offsite VA physical therapy Dr's office. I am getting in the elevator to leave the building. I step inside and a guy in a wheelchair, wearing a Vietnam Veteran hat is there with his wife.
I extend my hand to him and say, "I just wanted to say not only thank you for your service but to welcome you home as well". It looks like he is getting misty so I face front quickly.
As the door opens in the lobby, he rolls out and around the corner and his wife steps up and hugs me. She has tears in her eyes. "No one ever says that to him, thank you so much. You have no idea what it means to him."
My own father was in the Navy in Vietnam, so it means something to me to try and heal the wounds that were caused when I was still in diapers.
I said all that to say that I think it's very important for us as younger veterans to recognize the WWII, Korean War, and especially the Vietnam Veterans. To say thank you and welcome them home. As it was pointed out in another thread, we are all family.
I always shake the hand of someone in uniform and I never let a veteran hat walk by me without shaking their hand. Best encounter yet was an offsite VA physical therapy Dr's office. I am getting in the elevator to leave the building. I step inside and a guy in a wheelchair, wearing a Vietnam Veteran hat is there with his wife.
I extend my hand to him and say, "I just wanted to say not only thank you for your service but to welcome you home as well". It looks like he is getting misty so I face front quickly.
As the door opens in the lobby, he rolls out and around the corner and his wife steps up and hugs me. She has tears in her eyes. "No one ever says that to him, thank you so much. You have no idea what it means to him."
My own father was in the Navy in Vietnam, so it means something to me to try and heal the wounds that were caused when I was still in diapers.
I said all that to say that I think it's very important for us as younger veterans to recognize the WWII, Korean War, and especially the Vietnam Veterans. To say thank you and welcome them home. As it was pointed out in another thread, we are all family.
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While I always appreciate the sentiment and tell them I appreciate their support, I would be lying if it doesn't always give me an uneasy feeling.
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MAJ (Join to see)
I usually don't go out looking looking like I'm fresh off duty and never in uniform unless necessary. It's good practice regardless.
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Maj (Join to see)
I get the same feeling too when someone thanks me for serving. While coming back from deployment I received many "Thank you for your service" appreciations and I wasn't sure how to respond back. I end up thanking them back for their support.
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