Posted on 11/12/2020 2:56:15 PM PST by Hulka
A humble observation about the “thanks for your service” greeting.
This Veterans Day I’ve found myself responding to the many “thanks for your service” statements. After responding countless times, I decided to crunch the gist of my many replies into a single statement wherein I attempt to describe what drives vets to become vets and who truly should be thanked.
I'm a former jarhead and cop, with my share of welcomed "thanks for your service" over the years...but also the father of my late sixteen year old son, born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. After I lost him, I went on to have six books published on bereavement support...and dedicated my first book, "Sometimes I Cry in the Shower" to NURSES.
My son went through three open-hearts before the age of three. He made it sixteen years, and not only because of a miraculous surgeon, BUT MORE because of the amazing nurses I found as true heroes along the way....nurses that calmed me, taught me, chastised me, sent me home after spending weeks living in the hospital...nurses, each one along the way, who truly cared for the life and health of my child...all with so little thanks.
I thank you...from the bottom of my heart...and my son's half heart. What you do is truly a special calling as well!!!!
“I enjoyed every minute of it!” He spent 8 years in submarines.
Well. . .sounds a little off-balanced. . .HAH!
Just kidding. The Silent Service is a place few enjoy and less are good it it.
Pass my well done to the hubby.
Sad, but true.
By the way, it is the NURSES that define the quality of your medical care. Fact.
Beautiful post.
A simple thank you and you’re welcome works.
I simply say, “It was a privilege to serve.”
= = = = = = = = = = =
I respond with, “My pleasure, THANK YOU!!” and keep moving.
The women seem more sincere and the VETs usually just nod and the VN age give the ‘Welcome home’ salute.
Probably just me but sort of figure the average ‘Joe’ that thanks probably didn’t serve (draft rescinded in 1973)
I used to ‘do poppies’ and the best ‘customers’ were women who mostly would smile and say they remember their Dad(or Grandfather) doing it.
Thank you and your family. God bless.
Thanks for acknowledging the families of the military. I was happy to serve also, albeit at home.
“Thank you. It was my privilege”.
I didn’t come any where close to what you guys did to for our country but did I volunteered at Walter Reed on Ward 52, the amputation ward during the Afghan war.
My respect for you guys went through the roof. From the bottom of my heart I say “Thank You”
Been volunteering at W.R. ever since then until the Whu Flu hit.
For me it’s been a privilege ( and the only good thing about living in D.C.).
My new hobby is telling cops “Thank You’’. The look of joy on their faces surprises me. Shouldn’t be that way.
I was at the very end of Vietnam.
I was crawling around and repairing
bombers loaded with nukes
at age 18 I went in at age 17.
I remember the lack of respect we were shown
even though we never went “in country”.
I always thank anybody that gives the
Standard line. I usually don’t say you are welcome.
I see people in the Va clinic all the time that are way
more disabled than I am. That is the real thanks
taking care of the guys that are hurting.
I saw my service as a job and I did it well.
I never saw it as a calling, but as a duty I agreed
to perform when others would not, a duty that
had to be done.
I was a professional soldier as were my comrades.
It took many years but America has finally
stepped up.
Aloha.
Well, let me say, my plan had been to serve after I finished high school. And then, in late 1989, I watched on TV as the Wall fell...and by the time I graduated, so had the need for my future plans.
God bless you. Welcome home.
Didn’t hear it the first 30 yrs I was out. Now it’s just a fad.It’s irritating and not worth a reply.
I have always been uncomfortable with that phrase, and frankly, would prefer to never hear it again. Perhaps I would feel differently if I had ever heard it within the first 20 years after I got home, but that NEVER happened. It only became popular to recognize military service, let alone
give thanks for it, after the First Gulf War, Bush the Elder’s Conclusive Victory Interruptus.
I bear no ill will against those who speak the phrase whether in a sincere or perfunctory manner. My reply has always been, “It was the honor of my life.” I wish my countrymen had felt the same way when I returned home
over half a century ago. It pains my heart to this very day.
As for the sacrifices of my family, I was single and unattached then, but my Mother, G-D bless her, suffered greatly, as Mothers always do. I don’t think that anyone else even knew how long I was gone. When I walked down the stairs from the plane my mother was the only one there to meet me.
Thank Almighty G-D for the love in the heart of a man’s Mother, and may G-D forgive me for every tear I made her shed.
“I understand that the saying “Thank you for your service” can get stale.”
I say ‘thanks for being a soldier’ when the opportunity occasionally arises.
Very touching and true.
When I started my career my wife dropped me off at OTS. Over 20-yrs later when I retired I didn’t do the retirement party and hail and fair well retirement ceremony. One day I was in the office, the next day I wasn’t. And who greeted me when I walked out the door for the last time?
My wife.
She was there when I started and she was there when I ended my career. A real angel.
Bump for a great thread.
“I watched on TV as the Wall fell.”
Was there when the Wall fell.
Watching families reunited at the Brandenburg Gate. Cried a lot.
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