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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I needed this message today. I spoke with a Nam Vet last night for three hours, and learned so much about history, and military history. I learned of his struggles when he came back from Nam wounded, and the disrespect he endored upon return.
I always am taken back by someone saying "Thank you for your service", I get choked up and really don't know how to answer, because to me I haven't done anything special. Now I see that there is a greater meaning that comes from some of those who approach me. The unseen tears from lost loved ones, the appreciation that I, myself, or my family could be in a similiar situation. I've always said, "No, thank you for your service, because in a way we all help this country pull together", but now I know the importance of my place and how I need to respond in the future.
I always am taken back by someone saying "Thank you for your service", I get choked up and really don't know how to answer, because to me I haven't done anything special. Now I see that there is a greater meaning that comes from some of those who approach me. The unseen tears from lost loved ones, the appreciation that I, myself, or my family could be in a similiar situation. I've always said, "No, thank you for your service, because in a way we all help this country pull together", but now I know the importance of my place and how I need to respond in the future.
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SSgt (Join to see)
It is good that you know this and it gives you an advantage because God forbid you have to endure not being appreciated and in fact hated.
There are those currently who call us part of the 'vast military complex". lol
There are those currently who call us part of the 'vast military complex". lol
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I know this has already been written in the post but it is what I do as well. Most always I will return with "Thank you for your support". It takes a bit of courage for some people to even speak up and say that much, treat them with respect and dont take it personally.
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SSgt (Join to see)
Thank you sir. I talk to other veterans all the time because I feel honored to know these individuals. I am also proud of wonderful people who wear the uniform.
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Whenever I'm "thanked for my service", I just take it to mean that they're thanking everyone serving or who has served. I definitely don't take it as a personal "thank you".
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SSgt (Join to see)
Major Dews. It is just like being called a "hero" because most people could never comprehend the meaning of that.
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I was never offended by when a civilian thanked me for my service but it always made me a bit uncomfortable because that wasn't what I was in for. So I always said "You're welcome" and something about it being a privilege to serve and went about my business. I know they're showing their support for the military and I appreciate that. My dad never got as much when he came home from Vietnam.
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SSgt (Join to see)
It should to most of us because there are those who suffered alone. Dying in a trench and forgotten. But if we appreciate each other then we make life a lot easier.
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Mystifies me how anyone could be offended by a thank you. When someone takes the time to offer a thank you, I typically return their thanks and follow with something along the lines of "It's been an honor serving our nation and the cause of freedom."
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SSgt (Join to see)
Thank you Colonel Harding and by the way, we have a lot of Hardings in our family.
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Col Phillip Harding
Glad to hear, SSgt Olson. What part of the country does your family call home? My family is from SE Ohio. I'm living in South Mississippi now. My son is dating a young lady whose mom just remarried her HS sweetheart--an Olson!
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SSgt (Join to see)
Oh wow, that is rather uncanny. My family is from NY/PA but have relatives in Ohio but I have no idea where. I used to do weather in Meridian, MS.
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There are folks who would have loved to have heard those simple words when they came home. I just smile and thank them for their support. The only one that did catch me off guard was the little old lady that jumped off the handicap cart at the airport to hug me. It would have been okay had she waited for the cart to stop.
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As someone who has never served, but as a son of a Vietnam Vet and grandson of two WWII Vets- I give my thanks to all who have ever taken up arms for the cause of freedom. I see the sacrifices years later and the wounds both mental and physical that haunt you all. I see the unwavering love of country and ideals that drove many of you and countless others throughout our history to put yourselves in such a perilous position. I thank you for doing something I did not do. My gratitude I give you all and most importantly to my soldier, my father as long as I live. Thank you.
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