Posted on 05/26/2014 8:05:05 AM PDT by US Navy Vet
...When someone says to you "Thank You for YOUR Service" and you know/think THEY were JUST TOO were JUST too DAMN GUTLESS and/or SPINELESS to Serve Themselves(especially "Men(boys)of Draft and/or Military Age)"?
No
Thank you for your service.
Think of me what you will.
Would you prefer the alternative?
No....the military isn’t cut out for everybody. and a Lot of people couldn’t join due to health reasons.
What Irks me is Fake Vets who plaster themselves with ribbons and medals and try to bash the military. Those jerks should be given life in front of a firing squad.
No. I do not know them or their history.
Nope, thought never enters my mind.
I’m not a vet, but I’ve told quite a few that I appreciate their service. If it’s offensive to many vets, then I guess I’ll stop doing it.
No it does not irk me. In fact, I will walk up to a service member who is traveling in uniform (I spend a lot of time in airports) and I will thank them for their service.
Some people were prevented from joining because of stupid stuff like colorblindness, and I downplay my service as a JAG officer because the fighting guys sneer at it—my job was cushy, part of the head shed.
So no, I don’t automatically think they are pussies for not doing it themselves. Besides the ones who are pussies wouldn’t be thanking you for your service.
Much as people at funerals tell survivors,"I'm sorry for your loss." People say to vets,"Thank you for your service." It's just what they do. Bothers me not...
Some of us served, some didn’t. Some were drafted, some joined, others didn’t. I know what I’m proud of. Well, one other thing too. My dad swore me in. That was cool. Course he was an O-6 and I was on my way to being an E-1. LOL!
I usually reply that the service did just as much or more for me as I did for it.
And I mean it. Wouldn’t be where I am without the lessons learned there.
I feel uncomfortable when someone says thanks to me for my service.
As I have gotten older I more and more realize that it is I who owe the thanks to the nation for giving me the opportunity and allowing me the privilege of serving.
So I would say, generally; “No America, thank you.”
Not the least bit...
Nope, never irks me. I enlisted back during the Vietnam war, and I don’t regret a minute of my service. My decision to serve was borne of a desire to help secure this grand experiment, and an effort to make the world a little safer for (then unborn) children.
Not everyone is physically, mentally, or emotionally suited to military service. I was scrawny and immature when I was younger but I did sign up with the selective service. (Reagan was president).
Now that I’m older (50ish) I wish that I had but what’s done can’t be undone.
What irks is the mistaken assumption that Memorial Day is about veterans in general, when it is about honoring our war dead.
Save it for Veterans Day.
Answering for my husband. So not really. We know many who would have liked to serve, even tried, but were injured in basic training, or who didn’t pass the tests, or who weren’t fit enough, etc. They would have given anything to do it, but couldn’t.
Not everyone is led to through their upbringing. Some just aren’t led. It’s a calling.
We also need those successful business men and women to make the money in the private sector which pays to run a good Army/Air Force, etc. Not everyone is meant to be a soldier.
And believe me, there are plenty of smelly, greasy, filthy mealy mouths out there who will NEVER utter a whisper of thanks to any vet or in the memory of anyone who has died for this country. They scorn us, regularly, because, well, you know ...they’d rather make love, not war, are die-hard commies, pinko leftists, etc.
So I feel the mention of thanks is always appreciated.
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