I’ve been pondering why the phrase “thank you for your service” to veterans makes me so uncomfortable. I think it would have made my father uncomfortable, too, although I don’t think it became so prevalent before he died. He served in the Coast Guard during WWII, and had three battle stars on his service ribbons, and stayed in the Reserve for thirty years, during the Cold War (he was on one-hour alert during the Cuban missile crisis--I don’t think my parents knew that I knew that), and his service was gladly and freely given. I grew up expecting to spend some years in some branch of the military, like him, and then stay in the reserve, and I probably would have if I’d ever been able to pass the physical on my healthiest day in my twenties.
I honor those who serve, but thanks from me seem inappropriate in some way. I've failed to pin it down. The portable road sign at the county line flashing "Welcome home, Spc. Gore" seemed entirely and delightfully appropriate.
I look at it as thanking them for the lifestyle and freedoms I have. If they hadn't chosen to serve, our lives would be so different than they are. I am proud that my dad chose to serve.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that thanks is in order but I also get your uneasiness with it. It's not enough. It's an inadequate expression of gratitude and yet, it must be felt... shown... said.
ReplyDeleteYes, we can't thank them enough. My husband's brother-in-law served on the front lines for years. He would barely ever spoke about his experiences.
ReplyDeleteMy, working seven days a week makes it hard to keep up with the blog. I can, without hesitation, thank you all for your comments!
ReplyDeleteMy husband is a veteran who is uncomfortable with those thank-yous. I understand (at least partially) both view points.
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