Posted on 11/12/2020 2:56:15 PM PST by Hulka
People want soldiers and vets to know that they are appreciated.
It’s sure better than getting spat on and having bags of feces thrown at you. I remember when soldiers and vets were treated like absolute crap for their service and I am ashamed of how some of my fellow Americans treated returning soldiers.
Take it for how it’s meant, as sincere gratitude, and don’t discourage someone from trying to do something nice. There’s enough of that going around these days.
We can’t know that.
Why not say, “It was an honor.”?
And besides, nobody expected or required you to serve. You didn’t have to do it but we appreciate that you did.
Back in the 80’s, I worked with a man who did a tour of duty in Nam and we got to talking about the attitude that was displayed to the returning soldiers.
I told him that I was disgusted with that attitude and I never felt that way but really appreciated his service.
I never saw a grown man so close to tears in my entire life.
Another incident that had a profound impact on me was when I was helping arrange a color guard for a Fourth of July celebration at a local Christian camp. The music person and I went to the local DAV and made the arrangements.
We had the service, the color guard was at the front of the sanctuary, we sang a bunch of patriotic songs, and while they exited down the aisle, everyone spontaneously stood to their feet and gave them a HUGE standing ovation.
The oldest guy there, a vet who was probably in his 70’s at that time, just leaned against the door in the back and bawled his eyes out like a little kid.
It really made me realize the damage done to our vets during that era when they were so despised and treated with such contempt. I’m so glad we were able to be a blessing to that man.
You know, it's awkward to go up to a total stranger and say that, even when they are wearing a uniform.
I remember every time I have done it and I really do mean it because it really takes me out of my comfort zone.
If they mean it-terrific, but if said with no heart or meaning, rather nothing said.
See Post 29 for a terrible guy mocking vets and mostly mocking those good people thanking a vet.
Please see Post 29 for a truly awful post bragging about being a slacker in service and laughing at the good people that thank him for his service.
Post 29 is reprehensible.
It was more than an honor - it was a privilege.
And - Thank you for your support.
Same. I think this is simple and to the point. Although the word “privilege” has been twisted into a negative context these days. Those who choose not to serve probably can’t quite comprehend the notion anyhow.
That is a truly awful post and I have no idea why he would say something like that other than to besmirch the military and dishonor those that served in it.
I was in the Marine Corps during the 1980s and back then "slackers" were referred to as "skates". They would do only the minimum required and would find ways to stretch two-hour tasks into an all-day affair if they could get away with it. Nobody respected them because they only made more work for everybody else and they would eventually get re-assigned to just scut work, so they only really hurt themselves. But then again, we still needed Marines to sweep floors, clean bathrooms and empty trash cans, so I thank them for "volunteering" for those tasks so that the rest of us could focus on the important things.
As for marijuana, at least during my time on active duty, there was random drug testing going on so not very many took that kind of risk - except maybe the skates, who were E-3 or lower, with nothing to lose.
Yes, seen those slackers/skaters and it always astounded me that they would spend more time avoiding work than actually doing the job correctly.
Then they whine about how the system is unfair.
People don’t know what to say and how to say it on ANY DIFFICULT OCCASION. Just accept it with gratitude and move on. I have kids with special needs, disabled or dying relatives. And people want to show they care but they can get it so very wrong. It’s ok. Educate when feasible (like having dinner with someone) and just thanks and move on to the rest (in public).
I have heard these comments before from people who’ve served and I really often don’t say anything because I am afraid they will take it wrong, unless I know them. I just pray for those I know in harms way, and generically for those I don’t.
I have learned long ago that people say it wrong and I just smile and deal with it, or softly say it right. (Example for adopted child: “who’s their real mother?” I might softly say “me.”) I take people as they are, they don’t mean it in a bad way.
Apparently you missed the point. If you mean it, say it. If you don’t, don’t bother.
I used to say the standard “Thank you” before I really knew what it meant. I put just three short years in the Army, and it seemed like it was over way too soon for me. One thing the Army did do for me was give me a whole different view of the “Thank you”. Each soldier is different and so each of my “Thank you’s” is different . I usually ask their branch, and I have never met anyone that isn’t proud to share. I always work in the thank you for their family’s sacrifice and for missed birthdays and/or holidays. I never share my own service, unless they ask. Some want to talk, other’s don’t. I don’t mind the standard “Thank you” but after being a soldier, I kinda want the other soldier to know the appreciation behind it. Sometimes there are tears for us both, most times, not. But there is always gratitude.
Thank you for letting me droll on...
Well said.
“Thanks for watching our six”
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