Have to tell you this. I met a Marine recruiter going into the local high school yesterday and thanked him. He looked puzzled and asked why he was being thanked. I said, "For your service. God bless you. The entire country is in your debt." (I was overwhelmed and almost in tears.) He grinned and nodded and said, "You're welcome". We both knew what we were talking about.
I thank the soldiers here when we get into conversations sometimes and they tend to go all "aw, shucks" on me and look down at the ground.
I think it's kind of cute. ;-)