I'll make sure to tell the guys over at NASA to personally come by and thank you for the 12 cents you gave to their project.
BTW, I'm a soldier, I'd like to thank you for the 55 cents worth of your taxes I used. Oh! I almost forgot President Bush wanted me to pass on to you his thanks for the 3 cents of your money he used for a White House electric bill......I'll get on the phone now and call the rest of the government and tell them to report their appreciation to you immediately. Get ready for some phone calls!
If you are a service member, then I would never begrudge the money a greatful nation spends to pay you for your service, and to keep you as well-equiped and as well-cared for as is possible.
But I still expect even the DOD to spend the nation's money wisely and well, not to waste it. I'm not going to hold NASA to a lesser standard.