Why do so many Americans show a complete lack of respect for Soldiers and Veterans?

I have lived and served all across the United States and the World, and I have never been disrespected (even by an enemy). To get respect you must give respect. When approached by our citizenry I am typically thanked for my service, but I don't just thank them and move on, I ask them what they do because it takes all of us to keep US great. Beyond that, I ask them to thank our Nation's teachers and nurses because they are the unsung heroes that ensure the well-being of our Homefront and have touched the lives of each of us. We all have our role to play for freedom and democracy to be maintained, and humility fosters gratitude.

SSG Toryn Green Simply the majority have not served, only 1% of all Americans have served. If they served they would respect the Freedom all Armed Forces that have sacrificed for freedom.

We don't have national service in this country. So most Americans don't have a clue. These same people complain about Firefighters sitting around the firehouse, and cops hanging out instead of "stopping crime". They just don't have a clue.

Also, the whole 9/11 thing has become kind of passe, and the entire country is burned out by 15 years of war in the ME. So a confluence of issues have contributed to this...

They have not served and don't know the price of freedom

Because they are ignorant...especially the younger generation

The people who don't respect the soldiers or veterans are the ones who worry about there self only. They have tunnel vision and only see what they want to see. I don't they respect anyone but there self.
Luckily I haven't ran in to any of them because the people I meet are greatful for the service we give our country.

I served from 1984-1987 and have seen the changes all to well. Before I had to retire in March of 2014 due to health issues I worked for Advance Auto Parts and tried (Most of the time) to wear my Air Force hat and a lot of people thanked me for my service and I would converse with them and tell them what a great time I had. As for the ones who could care less I won them over with the way I was brought up. That being "Brought up!" and showing respect being humble and even eating crow to make them happy to win them over. I stressed myself at times but my military training and discipline made a world of difference in most of the issues. People would say " I would not have taken that and we would have been fighting" but I told them after BMTS nothing but God puts fear in me.
Moral being. How where they raised plays a lot into how they treat others.

OMG it has nothing to do with being liberal... nothing... if anything its more of a conservative view since conservatives across party lines have voted down every single bill in congress to help vets in the last two years.

I will also make the argument that many civilians do not receive any respect back. There is a high prevalence among vets that civilians are beneath us.

It's how people are and will be. Education, ignorance, the lack of a desire to be educated, environment, up bringing and just straight out an individuals opinion and " because I don't ". Also you have to keep in mind that America is a melting pot now. We have someone from just about every country, nationality, race here in America. You have to apply critical thinking to those people. Where are they originally from, culture, environment, society back home, economic structure, government, up bringing, family history and so much more. Everybody in America won't be Baseball and Apple pie.