What is your usual reply? Every time I reply to someone, I feel like I sound like a jackass. How do you reply?

quote:

Originally posted by DerekCollier:
How do you reply?

It makes me very uncomfortable when people make a big deal about it...like it does a lot of people. The same thing happened with law enforcement and firefighters I know since 9/11. All the fuss really isn't necessary. A simple thanks doesn't really bother me. I tell it to Vietnam vets when I get the chance. They didn't get to hear it as much as other generations. I've had people thank me for my military and civilian occupations.

I say,"No problem."

It makes me feel a little uncomfortable mainly because there are those who have done so much more then I but I know they mean well and I appreciate it.

If I see some old vet and we manage a conversation usually if I think it is appropriate I will thank them.

"no problem" is one of the ones that makes me feel like a jackass. lol.

And why is it you can walk into a walmart or something in uniform and no one says anything, but you go to the airport and EVERYONE says it?

If I see someone in uniform by and large I leave them alone, they don't need a rush of people looking to shake hands everytime they stop for groceries on the way home. If the opportunity presents itself I may engage in a conversation.

A good example was last year I saw a guy in a local diner wearing a 101st hat. We talked for a while and I found out he was home on leave. When I went to pay for my breakfast I paid for his as well. But I would never put him on the spot by asking to let me pay for it. I like to just do it quietly. I've done it for troops in airports, I'll quietly take care of their bill and then slip out.. just my way of saying thanks.


I'm a firm believer that doing a good deed doesn't require recognition for it.

I say you are welcome when someone says thank you.
That being said let me give you my thoughts on people thanking our servicemembers. As a Viet Nam era, Cold War era, and Gulf War era Vet, who didn't hear the thanks, I try and THANK as many servicemembers as I can. In my job I have the chance to speak to servicemembers and I always make it a POINT to say THANK YOU for the SACRIFICES and the JOBS that they do for our country. As far as I know these members don't get to here the THANK YOU'S they deserve. I feel even better if I can THANK the family members for there SACRIFICES and allowing the servicemember to do the jobs that they have been trained to do. For picking up the slack, and taking care of business while the member is deployed. While I am out and about I look for people who look like service members and will ask to shake their hand and THANK them for their service. Have been wrong a few times but thats okay as when I do have a servicemember you can tell that it means something to them,and so far everyone has been HUMBLE.
Everyone who has served needs to be told THANK YOU for the SACRIFICES and the JOBS that they did for our country.
Just an old mans thoughts.

"Thank you. Try the veal next time".

After thinking about this a little more, I thought of something. The thanks that mean the most to me are with the eyes.

Once in a while...out at a restaurant or about town shopping, I'll notice a unit hat or a miniature CIB or a Purple Heart license plate or something. I always try to make eye contact and give a little nod. I've had people do it to me. It's usually an old WW-II vet or a Vietnam vet. They'll just see my unit T-shirt or something and give a little nod and a thanks with their eyes. You can read it without a word.

Those mean a lot to me.

One thing that happened that was really strange to me was at work doing annual training. I was wearing a Navy hat. I was in the USNR after I got out of the Army. I was washing my hands in the bathroom and one of our Lieutenants saw the hat while we were washing our hands. He was SF in Vietnam. Other people told me. I never heard a word about it out of his mouth, but other people told me. I work in a prison, and people always share who you want around you in a fight. He was the guy. The guy was a 100% BTDT. He nodded at my hat in the mirror and said,"Thanks."

That was strange to me, but it meant a lot. I just nodded back and said,"Thanks to you, too." He smiled and we went back to training.

Most people get the same "no problem" I usually say to a thanks, though.

Try out some of these:

"Your wife already thanked me last night"

"Do you happen to know what are the symptoms of Swine Flu?...then cough a little.

"You know in Europe they buy Soldiers a Beer to show appreciation?"

"Who said I am in the Army?"....then speak some Arabic as you walk away, shaking your head from side to side.

"If you appreciate me so much why did you just try to cut in front of me?"

Of course before you try the above you might want to swap nametapes with someone.

quote:

Originally posted by Wolfhoundgrunt:
If I see someone in uniform by and large I leave them alone, they don't need a rush of people looking to shake hands everytime they stop for groceries on the way home. If the opportunity presents itself I may engage in a conversation.

Same here and I am fairly happy I never had to deal with this myself in the airports way back when I was in.

I just want to get from point A to point B when I am in the airport and get out of the airport as fast as possible.

I usually respond with "Thank you for your support."

Pepe, I know what you mean about the eye contact acknowledgement. Most of the time it's an older gentleman and you know by the look in his eyes that he recognizes that you're in the service because you look how he used to look 30+ years ago. It's a cool feeling. As for the people who say thanks, I usually say "no problem" because that's what I usually say when anyone thanks me for anything, or I'll say "oh, it's my pleasure" because it really is.

Thank you, it was what I was born to do.

I agree with the look.
Happens all the time.
Especially at the VA clinic.

Either "Thank YOU" or "It's my privilege to serve" - or both.

As a vet, father of active duty soldier & just plain American I do thank troops. Nothing overt..., & for the recipient? Please, just accept, makes me feel better about my easy life here while you go there!

I normally smile and mumble a quick "thanks". After that, I try and change the subject. I know people mean well, but the "thank you for your service" bit creeps me out.

I was wearing a baseball hat with 338th Tactical Fighter Wing while visiting a casino several months ago.
I was approached by a gentleman who said, "thank you for serving."
It reminded me when a person purchases an item, and the cashier says, “thank you."
I did not respond to the individual immediately, so my wife says, he doesn’t hear so well."
The gentleman says can you use sign language to express my thanks?
I finally responded by telling him that I heard him. I stated there is more than he can do for veterans than just saying thank you for his service. In my case over 22 years.
I won't get into the numerous categories one can choose from to assist veterans. In my case I was exposed to the injustice WWII, Cold War veterans, and next of kin have been experiencing an untold number of years. I am referring to the lack of recognition contrary to guidelines. It involves primarily for their combat service. That is my way of saying thank you for their sacrifice, and service.

Robert

Got to remember- society scrwd over the Vietnam Vets- damn near a generation were treated like scum. It bothers me sometimes when I'm thanked, cause I did what I thought was right and wanted to do. I always try to thank the vets I see, particulairly the Viet Vets. I normally just answer "Thank you- it was my priviledge". It's better to be thanked and remembered than mistreated or ignored!

I was shopping this morning, a older guy and his wife walked past. She was talking his ear off. He touched my arm & gave me a thumbs up when he saw my 82nd Airborne hat. I just nodded to him.

Something I will always remember was when I came back from Vietnam in 1969, We flew into Seattle -Tacoma Apt. They had to reroute us thropugh the Terminal because some lady took offense to the troops coming home and her son didn't. I think she shot one of them.
On a pleasanter note,I flew from there to St Louis on the way to Florida. This gentleman walks up to me shakes my hand and said"Welcome home Sgt" That always stuck with me.