Veterans from Vietnam & earlier
 

What goes through your mind when a stranger says to you - “thanks for your service” ?

No disrespect intended - just curious.

From the other side, I never served but I am very thankful for those that did, and when I get the chance I will thank them. I am going to watch the replies, in case my thank you is being misinterpreted.

Sometimes I wondered where were these people when I rotated back to the world. Most of the time lately I wonder if people actually mean it or are just being polite. I probably should not feel this way but I do.

Repeat-"It was an honor to serve"--no matter what I did , my time in the submarine service was the most rewarding time of my life, it was the only "job" and or since I was self employed prior to retirement--that I actually enjoyed--never had such a sense of camaraderie

For those who were met at the airport, with things thrown at them, spit on, no one would hire you because you were in that war. Its a different respect today.

While at Shades, a little girl about 5 or 6 came running up to me, and asked if she could hug me. Her father smiles, I said yes. She whispered my daddy said nobody thanked you when you came home. I just want to hug you and tell you thanks for protecting my family.

Nam Vets are finally getting some honor for defending their country. Most were drafted, some didn’t come home, some are homeless, and then some who came home, but are dying from effect of the war. Those children whose parents serve are taught what our generation returned to.

You rarely hear a Nam Vet speak about the war. But we still believe it was an honor to serve.

Welcome home Brother

Always appreciate the comment even though I know that those that didn't serve felt differently, and may participated, in the protests in some form. I believe that attitudes can change and maybe reflection has changed their perspective. When I hear it from the Millennial's, Gen Z's and even Gen Alpha's I feel their sincerity since their attitudes didn't need to be changed and hopefully had parents that appreciates the military. If I see active military in restaurants I will usually pick up their tabs as a thank you for their service. A comment that may cause some controversy but I believe there should be mandatory service in our Country, not always military, but something to serve the Country and appreciate the opportunities that are here.....JMO

Not everyone felt differently. There were those such as myself that wanted to serve but for many different reasons could not. I talked my dad into signing for me when I graduated as I was still only 17 at the time. The recruiter drove 6 of us down to Pittsburg for our physicals, and two of us were not accepted, I was classified 1Y for a heart murmur. It was a sad quiet ride home for the two of us as we were all prepared to leave that day in 1964 and it still bothers me today, a feeling that I wasn't good enough and that I missed a part of life that was common to all of us at that time. The other 4 all made it back safely but I had several friends that did not come home. Even though I respect freedom of speech, I disliked protests back then and still do today. And yes, I thank you all for your service.

It hear that a lot, yet I landed at one of the most liberal cities in America, Seattle on December 22, 1971. It was a Friday afternoon, about 3pm I arrived at Sea-Tac Airport and the place was swamped. I found out I could get to Chicago that night or wait until Sunday night, 9pm for an Eastern Flight to Tampa. So I decided to buy a ticket and wait Friday night, all day Saturday and most of the day of Sunday inside the airport.

We had a real menagerie of people. Two planes from Vietnam, two planes from Korea and all of the college students of the state of Washington were there for Christmas break. The guys from Nam were wearing Khakis, no jacket and had a tan, the guys from Korea were wearing winter greens and overcoats and the college students were long hair wearing jeans and sandals and a bunch of pretty college girls added to the mix.

I never heard anyone say anything negative or saw anything. The only contact I had was I went the first night to the USO area and got donuts and a coffee and tried to find a place to sleep but it was packed with guys sleeping everywhere. I basically hung out in the airport of Seattle and I more in amazement of all the people, especially the ladies and even looking at American dollars instead of MPC's was odd.

When I got out of the Army in Savannah, me and friend applied for a switchman's job with Southern Railroad. Out of 80 people applying that day, only myself and my Army friend and two others were hired. I'm not saying that stuff didn't go on, it just never happened where I was. I don't think everyone should be a bad rap, especially when I returned home to St. Petersburg. It was a very conservative city back then, and veterans were treated very fairly.

If I have to show my VA ID for a discount, such as at Walgreens and they say "Thank you for your service", I say "Your Welcome".

If there a better way to express gratitude with words to anyone who served our country at anytime and their families other than Thank You For Your Service speak up I'm all ears if it's something nice & respectful I'll change what I say.

What goes thru my mind is that I'm in awe of the person I'm thanking. Amazing people who are to be respected.

The Spitting Image (click here)

8th Radio Research Field Station - Phu Bai 1970

VVA Chapter 1036 - Home

as a Vietnam Vet, i appreciate it very much because rather than being honored for threes combat tours of combat duty, was treated very disrespectfully for years. so its very nice to be appreciated for a change. Capt. USAF Navigator

YES I LIKE TO HEAR IT :coolsmiley::MOJE_whot:

Captain, 347th Tactical Fighter Wing, Yokohama AB, Japan, 1970.

Served in the Navy 61 to 65, although serving on two aircraft carries I never went to Vietnam, proud of the men and women who did so I try to thank the people who thank me for my service in their honor.

Marines - 9th Engineer Bn, 1968, Viet Nam

I went into the Navy through NAS Jacksonville in February of 1969. I never had to go to Nam but instead flew in P3C anti-submarine aircraft. I do not regret not going into combat. I spent 10 years active and another 15 years in the Reserves.

When I hear the "Thank you for your service" line, I feel somewhat not deserving since I got lucky and did not go to Vietnam. My experience in the Navy was one that I will always cherish. I honor all those that were in "Harms Way" from the war. I have a friend in AZ that lost a leg in the war and is one of the finest men that I have ever met. Thank you for the subject.

I hear it alot.
Usually just nod and smile. Often tempted to say: ..Hey Pal....I am not a hero , we went where we were told to go and did .what we were told to do when we got there.
Jack Thorne
1262nd A.S.U.
US ARMY

agreed

Isn’t that what most military heroes do? :)

As a veteran of three combat tours in Vietnam it is always great to hear someone express their gratitude for my service. What I found difficult over the years was how to respond. Most often I just said "Your Welcome". However, a few years ago my wife suggested that I say "Your Worth It". I have found it quite interesting to see the reactions of those who thanked me. I do believe everyone living in this great nation, past and present, are worth my service.

Where it really shines, and never seems like a cliche', is when it's said by young people to the veterans on Villages Honor Flight in airports or in Washington, DC. I volunteer an Honor Flight guardian, and it brings tears to my eyes when a young person, or a group of teenagers, comes up to my veteran and one by one shakes his/her hand and express their appreciation. Truly heartwarming. Personally, I'm always a little bit uncomfortable with it when directed toward me, but it's a lot better than it was in the 70's.

:bigbow

:bigbow:

:bigbow:

I enjoy being thanked for the year I served in Viet Nam. When I was drafted I was mad that I left a good paying job, but felt honor in serving at my country's request. Looking back, I am proud that I served in the Army for a cause my country felt (at the time) was necessary. I have no regrets, but still get emotional when I visit the Viet Nam Memorial and view the names of the young men and women that were KIA or MIA.

Semper Fi. Always happy to hear thank you for your service.

Another thought
 

I appreciate the thoughtfulness of the person who says that to me. Another way of saying it is to say "I appreciate your service". Sounds almost the same but it also makes it a bit more personal, a one on one.

"With age comes wisdom if one pays attention to learning it."

Dear Sir,
I was of the Vietnam era and had friends drafted. I hated what you all had to go through, and admired what you did. Myself and many others stood in awe of your service. I felt so useless being home as a girl, while you al suffered terrible things over there. To this day I get teary-eyed when seeing a Vietnam Veteran, or hear stories of the trials you endured. Please know we are not all like this folks you speak of. Thank you with our whole beings for serving our country.

I appreciate the comment very much, especially since I served during VietNam and we did not get much respect at the time. As a retired Navy Veteran my reply is always "It was my pleasure to serve"--and I mean it.

I too as of the Vietnam era and so many of my classmates were drafted, killed and came home missing limbs and/or with tremendous physical and mental problems. My heart still hurts for each of them and what they went through. I have much respect for each who served but always more for the Vietnam Veterans. It was such a turbulent time and they were in the middle of all of it. I graduated HS in 1967 and went on with my life , while so many friends who went to Vietnam missed that part. I feel the utmost respect for you and any documentary, book or news item about Vietnam still makes me weep for them. Bless them.

I was just wondering how anybody would know that you were a veteran if they just met you. Or if they just saw you somewhere did you have a hat or a shirt informing the public that you were a veteran. Just wondering as there are many professions and also have put their lives on the line example Police Department fire department border patrol. There are also many professions that save lives like doctors Etc. I usually don't see many of them wearing their hats and shirts although are some. I know this is not true for all veterans. Is it go as a young person I was in a VFW Post with my father and ask him a question about one of the people there. I asked about the guy who is sitting by himself and not involved with the rest of the fellows talk to you about politics and things. My father told me that the guy who sat there by himself not getting involved was one of the fellows that hit the beach at Normandy. Never talked about it never wanted recognition just did his job. Some of the loudmouths we're the guys who handed out underwear at Fort Dix. This is not true for everybody but this is my personal experience I like to thank everybody that served and did their time

What I think: "I didn't do it for you."

What I usually say: "It was mostly fun, except for those few moments of stark terror."

What I want to say: "Where was this when I came home."

Each & everytime I am fortunate enough to hear, "thank you for your service", I am both humbled AND proud to have served . I served four tours of duty in Southeast Asia (SEA) as a B-52 pilot flying over 260 combat missions over South and North Vietnam.

I had a difficult time knowing what to say when the phrase, "thank you for your service" was first used to show appreciation for our men & women who have served this great country. Most of us never expected to have people recognize us in any special way, because we never felt as if we had done anything special......nothing that any other true American would not have done. We were never concerned about the draft because we all felt that we needed to serve this great country in anyway we could for the honor of living in the good ole' US of A.

For those of you who still make the effort of thanking us for our service, please keep it up and know that we appreciate and cherish your kind thoughts.

I believe that the original question that started this post was, What goes through your mind when a stranger says to you - “thanks for your service” ? I don't think that is the question, the question is, "what goes through your mind AFTER a "fellow American" says thanks for serving your country. It makes this ole' body stand a couple of inches taller and puts a big smile on my face. :)

I always appreciate it and thank them. What I think about is how things have changed. Thanking the military and law enforcement is a recent phenomena. I can remember getting frowns and harassment 50 years ago just because I had the give away short haircut.

As a Korean War Veteran, I did not endure the negative reaction that Vietnam veterans received when they returned to the U.S. The solders did not start that war or any other war, it's the politicians that are willing to send our young men to fight and die. Many of those same politicians avoided the service by family connections or other various means. One of my proudest days was my trip to Arlington Cemetery on a Honor Flight. Every where we went, people clapped and shook our hands when they learned who we were. Even young school children on field trips stood and applauded as we passed by in wheel chairs. I spent 16 months in Korea, and it " Was an honor to serve".

Always appreciated and always respond with a thank you back. Had a couple negative remarks, but nothing that really bothered me as I was just thankful to be back in a first world country with running water and electricity. I was in the boonies most of the time. Don’t even hold any animosity towards those hundreds of thousands that used the system to not have to serve. Great respect for those that went to jail or Canada because of their objections to the war. Peace.

I really appreciate reading the postings on this. I am female and was married to an Air Force guy who flew RF-4's over North Viet Nam in 1969. Because he was based in up country Thailand I went over as a civilian and got a job teaching children in an Air America school. It was the most influential year of my life........ seeing guys who made it back to the base every day and never knowing if my husband would return after his flight of the day/night. Anytime I see a Vet I always feel that appreciation for what they did. Folks who don't get out of this country and have to be in hardship places/circumstances miss something.......just my opinion. And thanks with a big hug to each of you who did your share to make this a better planet for all of us.

Why would anyone want thanks for their service?
No one ever thanks me for my service.
Why? Because I and most Brits never make a show of it.
Proud of it? You bet!
But. We did our service because that was what was expected of us.
No one thanks my friends who put it all on the line as firefighters. or my cousin who was a policeman.
What is this obsession with all this 'thanks?'
It's rapidly entering the realms of 'Have a nice day,' with in 99.9% of cases, the same insincerity!
JMO.

Who said anything about the service folks wanting thanks? I think it’s more that other folks want to offer it.

I’m not so sure those offering the ‘thanks’ would agree with you.