This Must-Read Essay Explains The Military's Discomfort With 'Thank You For Your Service'

SPC Michael Stedman I struggled at first many years ago, but now I just say: "Thank you, it was a pleasure to serve!"

I reply with a simple "You're welcome" and if they served I thank them as well. Do you thank your Dr for his services, the person who serves your food, the mechanic that fixes your car? They are just doing their job, and they deserve to be thanked. So do we :-)

My life is/was so much bigger than it would have been, had I not served. I feel like I'm being thanked for eating a big warm slice of blueberry pie, with French vanilla ice cream (the kind with the teeny pieces of vanilla beans... and I got paid to eat it.