Yes, it does; but maybe for a surprising reason. I didn’t volunteer; in fact, I had grave misgivings about the war (specifically, our chances for success) because I was misled and confused the left wing lie that it was a popular “saar of liberation”. But, I went because I also believed that when my country calls it is my DUTY to go. Its what I owe my country, and I should be humble enough to admit that, as a youngster, I really am not wise enough to understand everything.
I don’t blame those who were afraid to go. I understand their fear because I shared it. I am eternally pissed that they hide their real motivations behind a false mask of idealism. And they failed to meet their duty.
I guess that I am turning into a “Curmudgeon(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curmudgeon)";
I’m a former Commie-Lib, Viet Nam war protestor, who was not drafted. I try to thank vets when the opportunity arises as a way of saying I’m sorry.
Maybe I should stop picking up the tab for the visiting service men and women I have the pleasure of meeting overseas.
I guess being a pussy and all, I wouldn’t want to insult them. Here I thought I was a friendly face in a foreign country.
Dickhead.
Consider that maybe you don’t want spineless, gutless people in the military anyway, maybe that will take some of the sting out of it.
No, it doesn’t irk me (although I always blush a little because I am very shy about getting attention drawn to me). But I’m always very appreciative, from whatever source it comes from.
No, Not all people have the right mindset. They can serve their community and still be a service to our nation.
I don’t get offended. Sometimes we don’t know where folks were in their life’s journey when they were young. Not everybody has that spark of Patriotism to serve. Fortunately for me, my late father and two older brothers are veterans. I knew what I wanted to do.
By they way, when a civilian or other veteran thanks you for your service, respond with “And Thank You For Your Support.” That’s what I do and it usually brings a smile to the person face.
>>I guess I get “irked” too easy.
I served in the “post-Vietnam, but pre-Desert Storm” where enlisted people were assumed to be vandals, drunks, rapists, and thieves—and that was on-base! Off-base, the civilians thought even less of us.
So, I don’t mind being thanked for my service, unless it is by some sneering liberal who is saying it out of a sense of duty or by someone who feels the need to explain why he didn’t serve as part of the thanks. I really don’t care about their heart murmur, flat feet, or that arrow to the knee that ruined their career as an adventurer.
We have an all-volunteer military force. That is exceedingly rare.
To think that in the US we actually get to choose whether to serve is amazing and wonderful.
Being thanked is just a ‘symptom’ of that phenomenon.
I think it a blessing for the country that we get to choose, and get to thank those that served.
No. I think its fine. What does irk me is that people say they owe their rights to vets.
When I’m on the checkout line and I’m getting dissed by everyone clamoring to serve some guy whose foreign credit card won’t work and my family waits without a wave off - nothing - and I get a bit ticked and start speaking my mind and all the citizens around me give me the evil eye The rule is, we kiss butt on these people and also the store managers. When I’m thinking the store mgr works for me
People depend too much on people in uniform to maintain their rights when it’s the opposite. Back home it’s the civilians’ responsibility. And it’s their responsibility to take care of vets as in the hospital The press is so confused over the hospital deal. Vets don’t pay people to fight for their rights against the government and citizens who won’t take care of them medically They don’t take it personally. They know that civilians’ make the choice on how they treat the military.
A schoolboy can’t threaten a bully. The only ones who are allowed to fight are soldiers in uniform on foreign soil. A guy can’t tell his neighbor to get his dogs in the house at midnight, they’re barking All the other neighbors whistle and look at the sky next day. The code is ‘don’t fight’. NOT ‘don’t disturb the peace’.
It’s getting wearisome
Not a vet here.
When someone thanks a person in uniform for their service, exactly how does the person in uniform know the person thanking them didn’t serve as well?
In life, take thanks for what it is. In this instance:
It is one human being building up the courage to address another person they do not know in public, to thank them.
I’m not sure how any aspect of that is worthy of judgment.
The person saying thank you is expressing a love of nation, a love of it’s defense, and a great deal of respect for the person in uniform.
The few times I’ve been thanked for my military service I knew it was a sincere gesture. My MOM always told me to accept a compliment with kindness and humility without attribution of motive.
Of all the things that could irritate me, that is No. 799 on my list.
I served and I also thank others for serving. Just be appreciative that you are not at SFO in the 70's and getting spit on.
What a stupid question. You know precisely nothing of other’s lives. Further, it is every American’s right to decide for himself how he will or won’t serve his country. In fact THAT is one of the very reasons that many soldiers DO choose to serve, to defend those very rights. Your “irk” should be spelled “jerk.”
Jeez I served in expeditionary campaigns but I say “Thank you for your service” to other vets all the time.
I find that many who thank me, kinda wish they were able get in. I usually answer; “And I thank you, since you are paying for my retirement.” :)
3 Tours overseas (2 Deployments, 1 Duty Station). As a Vet, no, it does not irk me. It means something more when it comes from a fellow vet though.
I do become irritated when people who have never served trash the military, veterans, or run their mouth in other ways.
The first thing that springs to mind when I think of anything I took with me from Lackland is a different view on our freedoms.
Just curious. What did you get banned for back in the day.
And no I don’t take affront to someone saying “thank you for your service”.