Thank Me For My Service
Most young vets think it’s time to retire ‘Thank you for your service’
By Jon Simkins
Veterans Day is fast approaching, and with it comes a gathering storm of American civilian “Thank you for your service” platitudes so relentless that they threaten the structural integrity of the very veteran eardrums receiving them.
For many who have donned the uniform, the phrase elicits myriad awkward responses. Some vets have no response chambered and instead offer nonsensical replies like “You too,” “Thanks for your support” or “The son of man did not come to be served, but to serve,” before launching into a “Stomp the Yard” dance routine.And while authentic sentiment and genuine gratitude no doubt have merit, “Thank you for your service” has lost its appeal to many who served in America’s 21st-century wars.
But precisely how much today’s veterans shun the phrase has remained largely unquantified — at least until now.
I appreciate the thought and understand it’s well-meaning, but I’ve never been comfortable with the statement. I’ll just smile and change the subject when so greeted. I didn’t join to gain anyone’s gratitude and besides, the sentiment didn’t seem really directed at my Cold War experience- the lion’s share of my time in.
It was here at TAH where I found my reply. I still smile and change the subject, but in my mind,
“Want to thank a Veteran? Be an American worth fighting for.”
Category: Veterans Issues
When I first got back from Iraq I was beat up with the “Thank you for your service, but we really shouldn’t be there.” I haven’t cared much for it since.
“I’m against the war but for the troops”
One old fellow I worked with had a t-shirt that said, “For the war but against the troops” instead. Always made me laugh.
And there’s always how left/libtards are:
Those little fleabag shits don’t have the balls to fly that banner in a small town.
If they did, (and actually have balls) we’d kick those balls so far up their scrotum they’ll have to look for them in their sinuses.
Someone should write a song about that.
I remember Cher donating a shit ton of money for helmet upgrade kits, because the original k-pots didn’t do much in a blast. She said something along the lines of “We were young and stupid in the 60’s, made a lot of noise, didn’t accomplish anything . I don’t want our Soldiers in Iraq, but they’re there and maybe I can help some get home”. Had just a smidgen of respect there for a minute.
My go to reply has always been “Thanks for allowing me to serve”. That’s a head scratcher for civilians and I like watching their confused looks.
That’s my line also
My response has always been: “did you serve?”
That pretty much ends it right there.
Always leave to Larry David to stop the insanity…
I’m retired, did the Iraq-Afghanistan, later-rinse-repeat drill, and I find it awkward too. If I’m feeling salty, I reply “Thank you for your tax dollars.” Normally I say “No need, it’s just what I did.”
A Devil Doc feeling salty. Say it ain’t so!
What is awkward is when someone thanks us for our service on Memorial Day….🫣
They mean well….
I had to have a serious discussion with our Church’s Music Director. He insisted on having the choir to sing the service hymns and have service members and veterans stand when their service hymn was sung on the Sunday near Memorial Day.
Different, but cool.
In an odd sort of way.
I get why. Love the originality. But understand the hesitation.
In the end, though, I would rather chow down at an old school-after a two-hour religion table (Catholic if you want to drink, Baptist, if you like to eat and do not mind a few pounds) than fucking Applebee’s with all of the soft shoes and posers.
That’s still not as bad as someone wishing you a “Happy Memorial Day.”
Don’t call me a “baby killer” and throw sh*t at me, you “woke” little hippie freaks! (I’ll settle for that.)
It used to bother me then I realized that was all on me. Now I just say thank you back and move on. No more hassle or stressing about it.
We have never been bothered by others thanking us for our service.
Our answer has always been “Thank You for supporting us.”
When we run into fellow Soldiers/Sailors/Airman/Marines/Coast Guard, we always say “Thank You for serving our Country.”
When we are greeted by Military personnel at gates of military installations, we always say either “Thank You for serving our Country” or “Thank You for serving in the Best Army/Air Force/Navy/Marine Corps/Coast Guard in the World.”
You will be surprised how alot of those young Military Members faces light up..and a smile is formed.
Captain Kangaroo taught us to say “Please” and “Thank You.” Magic words that makes a difference.
My usual greeting to the gate personnel is “Let’s be careful out there”. A couple of them won’t let me in unless I say it.
We both noticed that others started thanking us AFTER 9-11…We never heard the expression before that timeframe.
“Thank You” are magic words.
We need to learn to say those words more often, to include other words such as “Please”…
Bring Captain Kangaroo back…
I feel awkward and usually reply with a “thank you” in response. After all, I initially enlisted to fulfill a lifelong dream and family tradition, then stayed when I realized I lacked any other goals. The Army put me and generations of other Vets through the wringer, but I can’t act like everything was selfless service. I got my house using a VA-secured loan, used a combination of Tuition Assistance and the GI Bill to get my degree, and am now getting paid retirement and disability until the body and mind finally decide it’s time to go. Being 45, I might be collecting checks for another 45 years. The building may collapse on me today and the checks will end next month. Who knows?
The phrase is a feel-good way for Americans to acknowledge that we’ve done something that most cannot or will not do. “Honey, I saw a Soldier in uniform at the mall today and thanked him for his service! That must have been the highlight of his day, knowing that we care.”
My employer gave us what I call Vet Vests earlier this year. I wear mine into work because it’s got big pockets, I can even fit my gallon Yeti cooler in, but almost always take it off when I clock in. I don’t get paid to let people know I once served, and frankly, my previous occupation and all the various things I did mean nothing to the bottom line.
I don’t need any thanks for my service…I volunteered, knowing that the job could be dangerous. I only wish that those thanking me for my service become Patriotic American Citizens that are worthy of my service.
IMHO the only ones that truly deserve a Thank you for your Service are the families of those troops who came back with a CMH…Coffin, Metal Handles…or came back maimed…either physically, mentally, or both…or didn’t come back at all, still missing or unaccounted for. It is OUR responsibility, nay, OUR Sacred Duty, to care for those that made the Sacrifice of Life, Limb(s), and/or emotional stability…to say their names…to be their witness.
Sadly, over the last few years as the (s)elected politicians of our Republic sent our blood and treasure to “fight them over there so we don’t have to fight them here”, they have allowed our Republic to become overrun with foreign enemies that we will have to fight…here. Prepare
“I didn’t join to gain anyone’s gratitude”
Agreed. Sometimes I refrain from even mentioning that I served because I fear they’ll suspect I did so just to fish for the virtually mandatory “thank you for your service”. I mention it because it’s a part of my life history and a big part of me becoming the man that I am, not because I want or expect any thanks from anyone else.
“but in my mind, ‘Want to thank a Veteran? Be an American worth fighting for.'”
Damn straight.
I miss the country I served for 21 years, because it sure was different than the one I’m living in now.
Like ol’ Tom Hanks (as CPT Miller) said:
The first time someone thanked me for my service, I thought they might be mocking me. You know, Vietnam and all.
But she wasn’t, she told me her son was in the Army. She was probably just thinking of him.
I still don’t care for it. Usually I just say thanks. No need to go on a lecture, they mostly mean well I’m guessing.
I kinda prefer “Baby Killers” myself
I’m torn. During 86-2003, I got nothing and was fine with it—it’s easier to judge the nasty civilians that way. Immediately post Iraq, Iraq, Iraq, it was nice to see. Ten years down the line, it’s just my job. But… proud dad moment, when I attended my daughter’s USAF basic training graduation and went into San Antonio scruffy and unshaven with my daughter in her dress blues and someone told HER that? I thought they were talking to me out of habit, and they were looking at her. Yeah I was proud. (And later she’s like “I didn’t know what to say!”) I say just say “thank you.”
“Thank you for your service.”
It always means more to me coming from a fellow Veteran.
Jonn’s heartfelt “Welcome Home” was the best.
👍
After seeing John write that in this blog and him close out the emails he sent to me with “Welcome Home”, I began to say the same when I met a fellow vet.
I just say no need to thank me. It was an honor to serve my country and then change the subject.
For a long time I didn’t have a response. Now I usually say, “I took my turn when it was my turn.”
Older vets sometimes reply, “My turn was . . . a long time ago.”
Only one young twenty-something caught on that I was gently reminding him that it’s his turn now.
I just respond that it was my privilege. As they are still doing hands on ID checks at the military installations I frequent I’ve taken to thanking the active duty Security Forces and Military Police individuals I encounter for their service.
I just say “Appreciate it. A long time ago it was” and move out.
Ain’t worth the argument or further discussion.
My thoughts are that most people who thank us, have good intentions and generally appreciate our service to our wonderful country. I too thank every veteran that I see, because I want them to know my gratitude for serving our country when most won’t do it. I take it as a sign of support. There are those out there (the snow-flake, leftist freaks) who hate us and then there are the patriots among us who appreciate that we served. I don’t need to be thanked for my service, but I do appreciate it when someone takes the time to do so.
I always say “it is a privilege to be allowed to serve”
Most people are just trying to be nice about it and it makes them feel like they are helping you feel appreciated or honoring you.
They don’t have a clue, and that is good.
You know why this bugs me? Because it’s insincere. Most people have no idea what I did during my time, or what it means to wear the uniform. It’s an attempt to sooth their conscience because they know we got shit on, by the military, by the government, by the dirt bag politicians they elected. Most times I want to say, ” if you are really grateful I know some good military charities where you can put your gratitude into action.” Of course I just toss out a thank you and move on.
When I see a veteran hat or jacket, or talk with someone I know who is a vet, I thank them for their service, because I legit appreciate that they went through a lot of shit that I did not. I appreciate all y’all here just like I appreciate my dad (MM3 on the Big E, early 70s)
I bought both my vet coworkers and my dad a box of Skilcraft pens – thanks to you all for letting me know about them.