Vet doesn't like 'thank you'

[GregW]

I appreciate the thought. It beats being asked if I was a baby killer. I answered that one with a "Not yet."

[lowrimol]

I can relate to not liking the compliments. When I joined I was a very naive 18 year old. As I grew up and realized what was going on/why it was going on, I became disenchanted. My husband is the same way. We both hold the belief that none of what we did helped to preserve or protect American citizens and their freedoms. However, I do not get offended in anyway when someone thanks me for my service. They have good intentions with their thank you. I always give a pleasant reply, that's what people with manners do.

[TamaraSavannah]

Originally Posted by purplepeach

Just read an article on MSN about a vet that is offended when people tell him "thanks for your service."
Claims it is empty, thoughtless because anyone who wasn't there doesn't understand, etc.

I say- don't be offended by people who didn't share in that experience. He VOLUNTEERED; it was his choice.

It even says within military groups some militants make fun of the phrase with each other.

Cripes! What the h***do they want us to say to them?? Nothing??

Think of the Vietnam vets- I'm sure they would have loved to hear people thank them for their service.

Perhaps somewhat understandable. It's like what my father said back in the time when people people were wearing yellow ribbons (tying them?), I think during the Iranian Hostage Crisis.......as if the yellow ribbon was sufficient action to do.

Ie, if "you" really want to thank me for my service, then get more politically active in seeing that Vets are taken care of, that the military is not used as the mercenary force for this or that political party, that even at the local level, the military aren't required by local businesses to have a banking account in that town.

If "you" think that saying "thank you for my service" is good enough...............yes, I can see how a Vet can be upset with that.

[JWEvergreen]

When and where did we Americans lose our manners on the giving and receiving end of a simple "Thank you"? If a person holds a door open for me I say thank you and smile. If I drop something and someone picks it up for me I say thank you.

Did either of these fine people do anything brave or dangerous for me?? NO. But they deserve the politeness.. don't you think?

We don't know the stories about the two nice people I just defined either, do we...

[KathrynAragon]

I don't think anyone is saying that RUDENESS is justified. Most people on this thread (maybe all) who are discussing the "thank you for your service" scenario are just discussing how that makes individual veterans FEEL. I haven't seen anyone try to justify a rude response.