"Thank You For Your Service"

[High_Gravity]

Why ?...I do not disrespect them but why would I have any greater respect for them than the average joe ?

The other thing eots, is what is going on in the world. We are at war. When I was at prime age to enter the military it was real safe. We were not in any major conflicts and the reality is that I would have spent four years in the military and would almost certainly have never seen actual combat. That's not the case today. When someone enlists in the military now, they know good and god damn well they are probably going to be deployed into a combat situation. Yes it's a choice they make, but today they are making the choice to fight. When I was that age we were making the choice to get money for college and getting shot at was the last thing on our minds.

We are not at war...and there are more dangerous professions..try fishing the Bering sea in January

So the campaign in Afghanistan is what, a fishing expedition?

 

[eots]

the other thing eots, is what is going on in the world. We are at war. When i was at prime age to enter the military it was real safe. We were not in any major conflicts and the reality is that i would have spent four years in the military and would almost certainly have never seen actual combat. That's not the case today. When someone enlists in the military now, they know good and god damn well they are probably going to be deployed into a combat situation. Yes it's a choice they make, but today they are making the choice to fight. When i was that age we were making the choice to get money for college and getting shot at was the last thing on our minds.

we are not at war...and there are more dangerous professions..try fishing the bering sea in january

so the campaign in afghanistan is what, a fishing expedition?

for those running the show....pretty much

 

[Oddball]

The other thing eots, is what is going on in the world. We are at war. When I was at prime age to enter the military it was real safe. We were not in any major conflicts and the reality is that I would have spent four years in the military and would almost certainly have never seen actual combat. That's not the case today. When someone enlists in the military now, they know good and god damn well they are probably going to be deployed into a combat situation. Yes it's a choice they make, but today they are making the choice to fight. When I was that age we were making the choice to get money for college and getting shot at was the last thing on our minds.

We are not at war...and there are more dangerous professions..try fishing the Bering sea in January

So the campaign in Afghanistan is what, a fishing expedition?

Security for the poppy fields.

 

[eots]

It is an invasion to serve the military industrial complex..afghanistan is no threat to us

 

[eots]

We are not at war...and there are more dangerous professions..try fishing the Bering sea in January

So the campaign in Afghanistan is what, a fishing expedition?

Security for the poppy fields.

Indeed..

 

[BluePhantom]

Why ?...I do not disrespect them but why would I have any greater respect for them than the average joe ?

The other thing eots, is what is going on in the world. We are at war. When I was at prime age to enter the military it was real safe. We were not in any major conflicts and the reality is that I would have spent four years in the military and would almost certainly have never seen actual combat. That's not the case today. When someone enlists in the military now, they know good and god damn well they are probably going to be deployed into a combat situation. Yes it's a choice they make, but today they are making the choice to fight. When I was that age we were making the choice to get money for college and getting shot at was the last thing on our minds.

We are not at war...and there are more dangerous professions..try fishing the Bering sea in January

We are not at war?!?!?! Really?!?!? I know several thousand soldiers in the Middle East who might find that surprising. And yes, there are other professions that are very dangerous as well, granted. Fishing is certainly one of them, but again I come back to the point. Without fishermen, society eats more beef and chicken. Without a military we don't exist.

 

[High_Gravity]

It is an invasion to serve the military industrial complex..afghanistan is no threat to us

Again the Troops don't choose the war.

 

[uscitizen]

How about "Thanks for wearing the uniform"? I would never say such a thing if I wasn't sincere about it.

Even if I don't always agree with the frequency with which our Commander-in-Chief decides to use our militarily overseas, I greatly respect all those that served.

Why ?...I do not disrespect them but why would I have any greater respect for them than the average joe ?

So you don't think someone who serves in the Military deserves more respect than someone who works in Pizza Hut for example?

Some do, some don't for several reasons.
Why are they are serving or working at Pizza hut.

Some serve in the military for the same reason as someone works at Pizza hut. Making a living.

Those who do things like Abu Grabass deserve no thanks or respect.

Some serve in the military to genuinely serve the prople of their nation.

Many reasons and many levels of thanks and sometimes disdain.

I served because I did not want to go to leavenworth as a draft dodger.
I do not deserve nor expect any thanks for serving. I was not serving or protecting the people of the USA fighting in Nam.

Military service was a negative in my life not a positive and I feel no desire or need to celebrate it.

I did my time honorably, protected my men with and under me as best I could and made it home.

That is all.

And before you say a word Warbler, KISS MY ASS!

 

[Oddball]

The other thing eots, is what is going on in the world. We are at war. When I was at prime age to enter the military it was real safe. We were not in any major conflicts and the reality is that I would have spent four years in the military and would almost certainly have never seen actual combat. That's not the case today. When someone enlists in the military now, they know good and god damn well they are probably going to be deployed into a combat situation. Yes it's a choice they make, but today they are making the choice to fight. When I was that age we were making the choice to get money for college and getting shot at was the last thing on our minds.

We are not at war...and there are more dangerous professions..try fishing the Bering sea in January

We are not at war?!?!?! Really?!?!? I know several thousand soldiers in the Middle East who might find that surprising. And yes, there are other professions that are very dangerous as well, granted. Fishing is certainly one of them, but again I come back to the point. Without fishermen, society eats more beef and chicken. Without a military we don't exist.

I served a hitch -Strategic Air Command- and the intervention in Afghanistan is now officially a bug hunt.

No need to waste any more of our boys' lives...Time to declare victory and DD.

 

[Warrior102]

Its a job people do for a pay check and their own self interest for the most part

Dear God

 

[BluePhantom]

We are not at war...and there are more dangerous professions..try fishing the Bering sea in January

We are not at war?!?!?! Really?!?!? I know several thousand soldiers in the Middle East who might find that surprising. And yes, there are other professions that are very dangerous as well, granted. Fishing is certainly one of them, but again I come back to the point. Without fishermen, society eats more beef and chicken. Without a military we don't exist.

I served a hitch -Strategic Air Command- and the intervention in Afghanistan is now officially a bug hunt.

No need to waste any more of our boys' lives...Time to declare victory and DD.

oh i completely agree that it's time to get out of there, but that has to do with disdain for the politicians, not the soldiers. HG nailed it on the nose and I wish I could rep him again for saying it: "Troops don't choose the war"

 

[Liability]

I dunno. I have walked up to some guys and gals in uniform and made a point of offering my hand to them to let them hear from me, personally, that I appreciate their service. I have yet to see or hear any of them reject it as a platitude. Some are more surprised or shocked than others. But every one so far has seemed to appreciate the thought.

Or, perhaps, some of them did think it but were raised to be more polite than to show it.

 

[g5000]

I don't think that phrase was ever uttered before Dubya was president, am I right?

To me it always strikes me as a kind of begging for forgiveness for the waste that was the Iraq war.

Or an uber-nationalist meme designed to make others feel small.

I rarely say it. But I have given many a soldier a free cigarette.

I like that.

I like that, too. They can toss me a cigarette, a drink, a blowjo-, uh, a slap on the back. That all works.

.

 

[Mad Scientist]

Still not seeing the connection between Iraq, Afghanistan and my freedoms and until I do I won't thank them.

No, that doesn't mean I'm disrespecting them, it's just means until they start actually fighting Americas enemies (like the Federal Reserve System) I see no need to thank them.

The Military doesn't choose their own battles.

They swore an oath to Protect and Defend the Constitution. Refusing to go there will do just that.

 

[Caroljo]

My husband very seldom talks about his service in Viet Nam. Even tho he enlisted....it still wasn't the best time of his life! But i think deep down he's proud of what he did, and thanks God he came home!

My son also doesn't go around bragging about what he does. I probably do that more than he does! Because i am. But he's told me about times when he's wearing his uniform and gone into a store for something, and he's had people just come up to him and shake his hand. Maybe not saying a word, but just showing him some respect. Just that little thing makes him glad he's chosen the work he's doing....

 

[g5000]

Still not seeing the connection between Iraq, Afghanistan and my freedoms and until I do I won't thank them.

No, that doesn't mean I'm disrespecting them, it's just means until they start actually fighting Americas enemies (like the Federal Reserve System) I see no need to thank them.

I see no need for someone like yourself to thank me, either. It would be insincere, would it not?

I do not begrudge you your opinion at all.

In fact, for a long time after I retired from active duty, I felt like the world's biggest sucker. I was surprised to meet many other retirees who felt the same way.

But it wasn't because I felt like what we had accomplished was meaningless or serving some Military-Industrial Complex. I am actually very, very proud of the things we accomplished, and no one will ever be able to take that away.

What made me feel like a sucker was the discovery of just how shitty our lifestyle had been all that time I was in. I knew things sucked, but it never really sunk in just how bad they sucked until I retired and things stopped sucking. Sort of like being hit in the head for 20 years and not realizing how much that hurts until you stop getting hit in the head.

Retirement was like, "So THIS is what it feels like not to be hit in the head!"

Then you think about the low pay you got for being hit in the head...


That makes you feel like a sucker. Why'd I let them hit me in the head for low pay?


The pay is better now for our current crop of suckers, though. A fuck of a lot better. Jesus.


And I experienced the Military-Industrial Complex and all its fucked-upness up close and personal. Which is why I refused a six figure job with one of those fuckers when I retired. No paycheck was big enough to don a suit and turn around and ask the troops to start swallowing my cock.


Sorry. The bad language creeps back in when I go back to military mode.

.

 

[g5000]

My husband very seldom talks about his service in Viet Nam. Even tho he enlisted....it still wasn't the best time of his life! But i think deep down he's proud of what he did, and thanks God he came home!

My son also doesn't go around bragging about what he does. I probably do that more than he does! Because i am. But he's told me about times when he's wearing his uniform and gone into a store for something, and he's had people just come up to him and shake his hand. Maybe not saying a word, but just showing him some respect. Just that little thing makes him glad he's chosen the work he's doing....

You know, if you shake my hand and don't say a word, that means a lot. I've done the same to old vets I see in the store wearing their WWII hats. Sometimes I tell them I also served, but sometimes I just shake their hands. No words.

They know.

Good stuff.

.

 

[g5000]

It's interesting that you bring this up. I have been wondering about this myself because to me it's become cliche. I chose not to serve in the military, primarily because when I was at a prime age to do so there was no real conflict going on that required military service. However, I would havebeen proud to do so if the circumstances in the world had been different.

Anyhow, I honestly DO appreciate the sacrifice and service of those who have been in the military. My father was a Major in the army medical corps and it was that that allowed him to pursue a career as a specialist after he finished his service. So he always spoke highly of the military and taught my brothers and I great respect for those in uniform.

It's just the phrase "thank you for your service". It feels like it is said so easily these days that it has lost it's meaning. Like you said it's become a bit like "have a nice day". I have tried to think of a different way to express my gratitude. Thus far I haven't been terribly successful and that bothers me because I do sincerely wish to express that appreciation but neither do I want to come off as simply blowing smoke up their ass, you know?

Any suggestions?

Yes, per my previous post.

If it comes to your attention that someone has served, just look them in the eye, then reach out and shake their hand. Maybe a clap on the back at the same time.

No words. They'll get it.

.

 

[Two Thumbs]

I always felt awkward since I really didn't do that much.

Served during the Cold war and Desert Shield/Storm, but didn't do more than my duty

 

[Caroljo]

Still not seeing the connection between Iraq, Afghanistan and my freedoms and until I do I won't thank them.

No, that doesn't mean I'm disrespecting them, it's just means until they start actually fighting Americas enemies (like the Federal Reserve System) I see no need to thank them.

I see no need for someone like yourself to thank me, either. It would be insincere, would it not?

I do not begrudge you your opinion at all.

In fact, for a long time after I retired from active duty, I felt like the world's biggest sucker. I was surprised to meet many other retirees who felt the same way.

But it wasn't because I felt like what we had accomplished was meaningless or serving some Military-Industrial Complex. I am actually very, very proud of the things we accomplished, and no one will ever be able to take that away.

What made me feel like a sucker was the discovery of just how shitty our lifestyle had been all that time I was in. I knew things sucked, but it never really sunk in just how bad they sucked until I retired and things stopped sucking. Sort of like being hit in the head for 20 years and not realizing how much that hurts until you stop getting hit in the head.

Retirement was like, "So THIS is what it feels like not to be hit in the head!"

Then you think about the low pay you got for being hit in the head...


That makes you feel like a sucker. Why'd I let them hit me in the head for low pay?


The pay is better now for our current crop of suckers, though. A fuck of a lot better. Jesus.


And I experienced the Military-Industrial Complex and all its fucked-upness up close and personal. Which is why I refused a six figure job with one of those fuckers when I retired. No paycheck was big enough to don a suit and turn around and ask the troops to start swallowing my cock.


Sorry. The bad language creeps back in when I go back to military mode.

.

I think i understand what you're saying....
When your in the military, you give up a lot that is taken for granted by the rest of us.
That's why we need to support them as much as possible. Military families struggle...they don't have all the best of everything like some people think. My son loves the Army, he's training in Psy Ops right now. He likes what he's doing, but still sometimes thinks he may want to get out and get a "normal" job. They don't have it easy....but it is a steady check .