"Thank You For Your Service"

g5000

Diamond Member
Nov 26, 2011
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Speaking to the vets right now because I want to know if I am the only one who feels the way I feel whenever someone says that. "Thank you for your service."

I can't even explain the feeling, really. But when someone says, "Thank you for your service", it feels about as sincere to me as when a grocery story cashier says, "Have a nice day."

Don't get me wrong. I'm sure some of the people thanking me for our service experience some real emotional gratitude whenever they stop to think about the men and women serving out there in some great, mystical, unknown otherwhere. But it's all foggy, Hollywood shit in their heads, for the most part.

But at the moment they are saying the phrase, it is just a reflex. At least it feels that way to me.

I'd rather they said nothing at all, and I guess that is what I am wondering. If any other vets feel that way when they hear it.

I draw as little attention to my service in the real world as possible. I did joing the VFW, but have never gone to the meetings. I did let myself get talked into going to some Veteran's Day thing some pseudo hero worshipping organization put on a few years ago. Well, actually I signed up to go, and they told me they were making some pseudo-medal thingamabob to hang around my neck that would be presented in a special ceremony to all of my state's vets who signed up to go.

I didn't go. I skipped it. Somewhere out there is a medal on a ribbon with my name on it.

Every year, at Veteran's Day, that same group puts up a bunch of flags in an empty field, and they set up a trailer welcoming vets, and they try to get them to come the ceremony.

Every year.

And some go.

And whenever we drive by that setup, I am asked why I don't go. And I am unable to verbalize why I don't.

Am I the only one?

I never mention I'm a vet in public. But if someone who knows me mentions it to someone, they invariably say, "Thank you for your service." It's automatic.

For those who are not vets who might be one of those people who says, "Thank you for your service", it's okay. I'm not one of those guys who looks down on people who have not served. I don't demand to know when and where someone served if they voice an opinion about the military or our wars. I do not think less of others for being smart enough to avoid serving. :)

Anyway. That's it.

Veteran's Day is coming up and I am keeping a low profile. I'm not taking a proferred poppy and putting it on. I would not be able to take all the thank you's. Know what I mean?

But it would be nice to know I am not the only one.

And if anyone knows the word for the feeling I feel, I would like to know what it is.

.
 
Speaking to the vets right now because I want to know if I am the only one who feels the way I feel whenever someone says that. "Thank you for your service."

I can't even explain the feeling, really. But when someone says, "Thank you for your service", it feels about as sincere to me as when a grocery story cashier says, "Have a nice day."

Don't get me wrong. I'm sure some of the people thanking me for our service experience some real emotional gratitude whenever they stop to think about the men and women serving out there in some great, mystical, unknown otherwhere. But it's all foggy, Hollywood shit in their heads, for the most part.

But at the moment they are saying the phrase, it is just a reflex. At least it feels that way to me.

I'd rather they said nothing at all, and I guess that is what I am wondering. If any other vets feel that way when they hear it.

I draw as little attention to my service in the real world as possible. I did joing the VFW, but have never gone to the meetings. I did let myself get talked into going to some Veteran's Day thing some pseudo hero worshipping organization put on a few years ago. Well, actually I signed up to go, and they told me they were making some pseudo-medal thingamabob to hang around my neck that would be presented in a special ceremony to all of my state's vets who signed up to go.

I didn't go. I skipped it. Somewhere out there is a medal on a ribbon with my name on it.

Every year, at Veteran's Day, that same group puts up a bunch of flags in an empty field, and they set up a trailer welcoming vets, and they try to get them to come the ceremony.

Every year.

And some go.

And whenever we drive by that setup, I am asked why I don't go. And I am unable to verbalize why I don't.

Am I the only one?

I never mention I'm a vet in public. But if someone who knows me mentions it to someone, they invariably say, "Thank you for your service." It's automatic.

For those who are not vets who might be one of those people who says, "Thank you for your service", it's okay. I'm not one of those guys who looks down on people who have not served. I don't demand to know when and where someone served if they voice an opinion about the military or our wars. I do not think less of others for being smart enough to avoid serving. :)

Anyway. That's it.

Veteran's Day is coming up and I am keeping a low profile. I'm not taking a proferred poppy and putting it on. I would not be able to take all the thank you's. Know what I mean?

But it would be nice to know I am not the only one.

And if anyone knows the word for the feeling I feel, I would like to know what it is.

.

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?
 
This was instructive.

I never served and there are some Libs here who make a big deal of their service and think that makes them better than me, so my response has always been, "Thank you for your service. Go fuck yourself"

From now on, I'll drop the first sentence.
 
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.
 
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. :)
 
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.

That's not bad. Lately what I do is ask them if they are willing to talk about what they experienced. I will ask questions and listen for the most part. I have learned a lot frankly from having those discussion about what is really happening and what is media driven bullshit.
 
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 ?
 
I think that the disconnect between the Military and private sector is so big now that many civilians don't know very much about the service besides what they see on tv and play on their XBOX, the Military institution is a very foreign one to many people unless you have served yourself or have a loved one that did. Its not like before during WW2, Korea and Vietnam when there was a draft and pretty much everyone had skin in the game, either served themselves or had a loved one that did, in that situation alot more people were familiar with the Military. Now its nothing like that, and people tend to just say "Thank you for your service" because they don't know what else to say, don't get me wrong I am sure alot of them mean it.
 
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.:eusa_angel:
 
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 ?

Because I find honor in the idea of defending this country.

As a libertarian, I stand for less military intervention but if we were threatened by an invading force, I'd run to the front line.
 
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 ?

I understand your point. Basically, it's a volunteer military and they freely choose to enter into a profession that is one of defense and danger. I got it. And granted no matter what one chooses to do as a profession it all contributes to the betterment of society (for the most part at least) whether it be military or a garbage collecter. BUT...the difference is that garbage collectors don't have bullets flying past their heads all the time (unless they are in Detroit ;) ) and if we didn't have a military we would have been conquored by now. You can't say that about a lawyer, or a chef, or most other professions.

Without chefs society would learn to cook for themselves. Without garbage collectors society would learn to go do the dump themselves. Without lawyers...well...the world might be a better place. ;) Without military we don't exist as a nation. THAT'S why.
 
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 ?

Because I find honor in the idea of defending this country.

As a libertarian, I stand for less military intervention but if we were threatened by an invading force, I'd run to the front line.

I'd run to the front line too.but we are not being threatened by an invading force and the country is not being defended .. corporate interest are being defended and the most soldiers motivation is a pay check thats why so many come from low income backgrounds

Reality


 
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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?
 
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 ?

I understand your point. Basically, it's a volunteer military and they freely choose to enter into a profession that is one of defense and danger. I got it. And granted no matter what one chooses to do as a profession it all contributes to the betterment of society (for the most part at least) whether it be military or a garbage collecter. BUT...the difference is that garbage collectors don't have bullets flying past their heads all the time (unless they are in Detroit ;) ) and if we didn't have a military we would have been conquored by now. You can't say that about a lawyer, or a chef, or most other professions.

Without chefs society would learn to cook for themselves. Without garbage collectors society would learn to go do the dump themselves. Without lawyers...well...the world might be a better place. ;) Without military we don't exist as a nation. THAT'S why.

:clap2::clap2:
 
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 ?

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.
 
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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.
 
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.
 
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 ?

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
 

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