Both my son and I, veterans of multiple Infantry deployments to Iraq, felt (him more than me) embarrassed (or maybe humbled) to be the recipient of “Thank you for your service”. It took a good bit of adjustment, and finally started responding “and thank you very much for your support”. We didn’t feel like we had done anything special.
Late one night, well into a bottle of Jamesons, we talked through what our elder brothers from Vietnam experienced, and while we were a bit uncomfortable, it was far better than they got.
To this day, we make it a point to thank every Vietnam Vet we meet for guiding and assisting us through this generation’s war and after-effects.
If you are a Vietnam Vet and read this, THANK YOU!
If they really are objecting - or is it just the anti military NYT trying to cause doubt in the minds of the American people?