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

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My Dad (on left) was part of the Greatest Generation. Pic from Army Air Corp in San Antonio. No idea who the other 2 guys are.
There were two stories floating around about his service during WWII. One, he blew out his knee in training and never got sent overseas, instead put into the office that typed up orders for everyone else to be sent overseas. The other story was he volunteered for some program that figured out artillery charts to allow troops to hit the correct targets, again, never going overseas. Not sure which one is true.

He always thanked anyone that he recognized as a Vet. He felt he didn't deserve the thanks, only those that actually went to war... although he always thanked his 3 children who were in the service each Nov 11th.

I spent 7 years in U.S. Army. No wars. I wear a hat that states U.S. Army, but it's my reminder that my Daughter-in-Law is out there serving right now, putting her life on the line. I send any "thank you for your service" on to her.
 
I have mixed emotions about it. I thank young service people when the opportunity presents itself, but as others have said, it makes me somewhat uncomortable when it is directed to me. I have to say I ran into very little derision returning from Vietnam. I also felt by the time I was discharged that I had participated in an unjust war, and still feel that way to this day. Who ever said that "war is hell" certainly got it right, and it is my most fervent hope that some day, the ignorance, greed, and arrogance of the men who start them will forever fade from the earth.
 
Nathan said:
I feel a bit uncomfortable, after being villainized coming back from Vietnam now being "thanked" for that service just seems hollow.
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Yes, this. My husband has always said the same thing... it's just been a relatively short time that people have started saying that to be in vogue (at least it seems that way.) Anyhow, he's always mentions how ya'll were treated coming back from 'Nam, and a thank you now after being spit on (literally) back then absolutey rings hollow. @Nathan
 
I try not to wear any military apparel and I don't have a military (retired) license plate on my vehicles or any decals or stickers on any of my personal property. Even when we go to our HOA's Veterans Day celebration, I never stand when they ask for all Veterans to stand and people applaud them.

I used to look for guys that were in the Navy and wore a cap from the USS Enterprise, a Forestall, Ford, Nimitz, Vincennes and a few others. Those men had plenty of stories to tell.
 
fuzzybuddy said:

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

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I feel uncomfortable because I am ashamed of what we did in Vietnam so I only reply, "Thank you" and hope he/she doesn't dwell on the subject because I don't think he/she needs to know what I am feeling.
 
Verisure said:
I feel uncomfortable because I am ashamed of what we did in Vietnam so I only reply, "Thank you" and hope he/she doesn't dwell on the subject because I don't think he/she needs to know what I am feeling.
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While I'm not ashamed of what I did in Vietnam, (Well... I am a little concerned how it'll affect me in the afterlife), I too hope nobody dwells on the subject because I don't think they would believe what a grunt went through and had to endure.
 
squatting dog said:
While I'm not ashamed of what I did in Vietnam, (Well... I am a little concerned how it'll affect me in the afterlife), I too hope nobody dwells on the subject because I don't think they would believe what a grunt went through and had to endure.
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I agree with that but for me, it's more that I don't want "to get started". I don't know if I am considered a tolerant person but certain subjects I need to avoid because my emotions are too strong for me to keep silent. I just don't think getting into a(nother) confrontation is such a good idea. Anyway, the person who says, "Thank you for your service" is trying to be nice. What sort of an ass would I be to bully him into a corner? :giggle:
 
I used to have people thanking me for being a cop. I would tell them, you know I get paid to do my job? The Pennsylvania State Police will change a flat tire on an interstate or turnpike, if help is needed. I have changed oodles of tires. I have also been offered money and tips for doing it. I tell them that I’m not allowed to accept any money or gifts for favors.
 
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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My son Grant feels exactly that way too. He gave the Navy 23 years, but not his life. He was a Seabee metals worker, engineer, and eventually Chief Petty Officer. Sure, he'd come under fire, especially when he had to go out into the desert to repair armored vehicles and such, but he was always under the protection of at least several, sometimes a dozen Marines who'd form an armed circle around him no matter how long the repair took....because those vehicles were extremely valuable.

Grant values his service for what it taught him and what it made him. It taught him to appreciate life and to be himself 100% even if it makes others a bit uncomfortable. It made him a person who sets goals for the sake of his own personal happiness, and who knows how to achieve them. Sounds selfish, but his friends, *customers, and fellow bike-club members admire him, his wife adores him, and I'm very proud of him.

*his fairly profitable hobby is designing & building custom bicycles and bicycle parts.
 
911 said:
I used to have people thanking me for being a cop. I would tell them, you know I get paid to do my job? The Pennsylvania State Police will change a flat tire on an interstate or turnpike, if help is needed. I have changed oodles of tires. I have also been offered money and tips for doing it. I tell them that I’m not allowed to accept any money or gifts for favors.
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It is quite the opposite here in Canada, where Police are told NOT to change tires, for liability reasons, plus the chance of the officer being injured on duty while doing such a thing. The Police will attend, stay to provide a safe situation, and call a contract tow truck or service vehicle to help the motorist on scene. JimB.
 
I was a "brown-water" sailor on a small ship in Viet Nam (1969-70), mostly in the Mekong Delta, but also occasionally in Cam Ranh Bay and Da Nang. Though never went up the rivers, we were certainly in the thick of the action. As the ship's storekeeper, I was responsible for ordering and maintaining the ship's food supplies and materials in addition to my combat duties during general quarters;

Without you guys' support, we never could have carried out our mission. So, though most of us share your discomfort when folks thank us, please allow me, who depended on you doing your duty, thank you for your service.
 
grNadpa said:
I was a "brown-water" sailor on a small ship in Viet Nam (1969-70), mostly in the Mekong Delta, but also occasionally in Cam Ranh Bay and Da Nang. Though never went up the rivers, we were certainly in the thick of the action. As the ship's storekeeper, I was responsible for ordering and maintaining the ship's food supplies and materials in addition to my combat duties during general quarters;

Without you guys' support, we never could have carried out our mission. So, though most of us share your discomfort when folks thank us, please allow me, who depended on you doing your duty, thank you for your service.
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I've been Cam Rahn Bay 66 67.
 
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