As a Vietnam Veteran (Marines 67-68),”thank you for your service “ seems trite to me and I do not want it being said to me. On the other hand, most of the people using that phrase mean no harm (versus those who defamed us when we returned home).
I solved the dilemma by not telling people of my Marine Corp service.
When someone tells me “Thank you for your service”, I just smile and thank them, then reply “It was an honor and a privilege”...
The best thank you anyone can give a vet is to responsibly use the liberties we’ve secured for them, work to preserve our Constitution and Bill of Rights, and not be so quick to piss them away for a globalist collectivist future...IMHO...
As a Vietnam era vet I understand your feelings. Many vets from that era would probably agree with you. Since I was assigned to Korea,69-70, instead of Vietnam most of my family concur with me that I was “lucky” not having to go. But the fact remains that all vets gave up significant portions of their lives to serve whether they were in country or not. The transformation from civilian to soldier is a life long lesson that has positives and negatives. Suffice to say you are not the same person you were before induction. Perhaps a more appropriate sentiment would be “thank you for your sacrifice’.
Welcome Home, hug!