Should You Say "Thank You for Your Service"?

I am not a big fan of being thanked for my service. I volunteered to serve and was compensated for my service. I agreed to the contract and fulfilled it to the best of my abilities. I was thanked once a month by Uncle Sam and the taxpayers.

It doesn't bother me that people say it as I know it has become in vogue to do so and there is a desire to be appreciative. I served in an era where being thanked for military service did not happen. That didn't bother me either. I could be in full dress uniform and people would mostly steer clear.

My answer is that "it depends" on the group, the situation, etc.

My service duty in the USAF was during the Vietnam War, when anyone in the military was treated poorly, worst than dirt in some cases... That said, in my view, when anyone takes the oath of allegiance to the United States Military and to our Country, they are basically placing themselves in a position of sacrifice up to and including their very life! And during that unfavorable war in Vietnam, many never came home... in WWII, many thousands of Military soldiers, sailors, Marines, Army Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen died in the performance of their duty... And the Military, at least today, represents about 1% of the population... Again in my view, anyone who makes the decision to wear the uniform of the United States Military, deserves all the thanks that they receive... God Bless the United States of America!