How do you feel when you are thanked for your service?

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

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Location
The Sticks, Northeast PA.
When someone says, "Thank you for your service", I feel uncomfortable. I spent 4 years as a Corpsman in the US Navy, and I'm proud of what I did. I was a good Corpsman. Yet, when I think of what other guys have done, and gave up............. I was never in danger, never missed a meal, never even slept on dirty sheets. Yeah, I understand we all did our part in a large military scheme, we all gave something. But I think the guys, who gave up their limbs and lives really are the men we owe a huge unrepayable debt. I think the "thanks" should go to those men. How do you feel when you are thanked for your service?
 
Right Now said:
Every single person who served our country played, and still plays, an integral part in keeping us safe and our democracy strong. Never doubt however small you believe your part was, it counts and should be acknowledged.
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I understand the sentiment, and I am grateful for the thanks. But say, you've just had lifesaving surgery, who do you think deserves thanks more- your doctor, or the guy , who mopped the OR floor?
 
fuzzybuddy said:
I understand the sentiment, and I am grateful for the thanks. But say, you've just had lifesaving surgery, who do you think deserves thanks more- your doctor, or the guy , who mopped the OR floor?
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Both! The guy who mopped the OR floor keeps folks having surgery safer from bacteria and infections from germs. If he wasn't doing job, the surgeon could have performed a perfect surgery, only to have the patient get a serious infection and perhaps die from it. See? Everyone involved counts.
 
I served in the Canadian Forces, but no one outside of my family knows that because I don't wear any military items like a baseball cap or a lapel pin. Once a year on November the 11th, I attend the Remembrance Day service at our City Hall memorial. Military service in Canada is not the "big deal " that it is in the USA. I cannot ever remember any Canadian running for public office here making mention that they were a military veteran, while in the USA is seems to be a standard part of their resume. JimB.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
When someone says, "Thank you for your service", I feel uncomfortable. I spent 4 years as a Corpsman in the US Navy, and I'm proud of what I did. I was a good Corpsman. Yet, when I think of what other guys have done, and gave up............. I was never in danger, never missed a meal, never even slept on dirty sheets. Yeah, I understand we all did our part in a large military scheme, we all gave something. But I think the guys, who gave up their limbs and lives really are the men we owe a huge unrepayable debt. I think the "thanks" should go to those men. How do you feel when you are thanked for your service?
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Everyone who goes into the Military is signing on to the possibility of having to fight and die for us. When I thank folks that is what I am thinking of.

Not that those who actually faced combat are not different, they are and deserve special recognition. However all, you included knowingly took that risk. For us!
 
IKE said:
Not that I don't appreciate the thought but it makes me feel uncomfortable also......don't feel that I need a thank you for doing my job.
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Good to know. What, if anything, do you think folks should say? @Nathan too.

For me it probably goes back to memories of the Vietnam era when many people took out their political views on the war on vets. That was very wrong. In my mind its an even higher level of commitment to give up or risk life and limb for some political cause you may or may not believe in.
 
One of my brothers served in Nam and it became a family thing not to ever talk about it, because he didn't want to. I am unapologetically patriotic to this country, and have respect beyond measure for those who have served....yet, I am uncomfortable thanking veterans for their service. I will shake their hand, I will give their shoulder a squeeze, but I remain silent.
 
ManjaroKDE said:
I remember an analogy that was going around in '67.

'When they came from WWII everyone bought them a beer'
'When they came from Korea, they had to buy their own beer'
'When they came home from Vietnam, they were lucky to get in the bar'
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At one time the VFW rejected Vietnam vets, that has stuck with me. A friend from the gym is married to the head of the local VFW, she assures me that no longer the case. I've visited several times, but probably will not join, I'm not a "joiner" anyway.
 
“How do you feel when you are thanked for your service?”

Knowing this question is posed for Veterans, makes me appreciate the answers given by our veteran-members.

It’s interesting to note their reaction to the question, and listen to what they think, which allows great opportunity to dwell and ponder upon their thoughts.

Often does our society’s-gratitude overshadow the individual voice, and personal sentiment of the man, woman, who’s self-talk been neglected, dimmed, behind the uniform worn in service to our country.

Making these allowances and opportunities to hear what they have to say is important, as their voices lend hint and insight of deep emotion echoed among other vets who’ve served our society, many of which have gone disregarded; or unstated.

As for society’s gratitude, or display of being thankful to our veterans; well, that’s another conversation… as is the subject of, “What it means to be Gracious.”

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses.”—A. Karr
 
Nathan said:
At one time the VFW rejected Vietnam vets, that has stuck with me. A friend from the gym is married to the head of the local VFW, she assures me that no longer the case. I've visited several times, but probably will not join, I'm not a "joiner" anyway.
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I belong to the American Legion, only because my dad was a member and when he was killed, they kept calling and asking if they could help in anyway.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
When someone says, "Thank you for your service", I feel uncomfortable. I spent 4 years as a Corpsman in the US Navy, and I'm proud of what I did. I was a good Corpsman. Yet, when I think of what other guys have done, and gave up............. I was never in danger, never missed a meal, never even slept on dirty sheets. Yeah, I understand we all did our part in a large military scheme, we all gave something. But I think the guys, who gave up their limbs and lives really are the men we owe a huge unrepayable debt. I think the "thanks" should go to those men. How do you feel when you are thanked for your service?
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The only time I am thanked for my service is I have my cap on that has this on it.

ARMY SECURITY AGENCY
Europe Veteran

Sometimes it does lead to an interesting discussion.
 
In the U S Navy for 10 years & do think that what I did had value I've never thought about being thanked for my service until this thread question was asked. I don't wear any clothing or way to show that I served, the only recognition I get is at Lowes where I signed up for the veteran 10% military discount. The older clerks seem to be genuine in there thanking me. The younger ones seem to be saying it's something they are supposed to say.

Either way I just smile & thank them for the recognition.
 
Some members of all forums will thank veterans generally online. Tis simple and easy. But thanking service members in person is uncommon even if people know you were in the service. The one genuine thanks I ever got personally was indirect. After an HD from the USAF during the Viet Nam War in which I didn't ever serve in the immediate combat arena, two appreciative of all those that served, engineers at a Palo Alto start-up when technical jobs were somewhat tight, chose to hire me over others as a junior tech for $2.76 per hour. All I needed just like many others, was that initial foot in the door to make a career. A door that often never opens for numbers of young otherwise trained qualified people. Sad.

Thanks Mel and Ken!
 
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