Why Some Veterans Hate it When You Say 'Thank You'

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/features/view/feature/Why-Some-Veterans-Hate-it-When-You-Say-Thank-You-2738

by harscoat • 16 years ago

14 5 16 years ago

nhangen2• 16 years ago

I served from 2006-2010, spent 8 months in Afghanistan.

I do agree that seeing a thank you on a billboard, or box store promo is an insult. Don't use the troops as leverage to hold a sale or promotion.

However, having been in hundreds of those "thank you" situations, I can honestly say that I've never been upset or agitated. Embarrassed? Yeah. Humbled and Honored? Definitely. Pissy? Never.

It's not my job to question someone's reasoning for thanking me...I much prefer that to the opposite.

Empty gestures are certainly a topic for debate, but I can't get in your head any more than I can get in that of my fellow Soldier's heads.

Lastly...I can guarantee you that 99% of the Soldiers I served with are honored to be thanked.

To be honest, we find it a little uncomfortable, because to us, we're just doing our job.

btilly• 16 years ago

Lastly...I can guarantee you that 99% of the Soldiers I served with are honored to be thanked.

I'd be willing to bet you serious money on that.

Estimates are that one veteran in 8 from Iraq has PTSD. A significant fraction of those will have trouble with this type of verbal reminder. Therefore I believe that there is no way that the rate of people who would have issues with the thank yous is below 1%.

That said, I do not doubt your reaction. Or that your reaction is common among veterans. But even if 9 out of 20 veterans are not bothered by the thank you, the pain caused to the remaining ones is bad enough that I think it unwise for people to randomly thank veterans they don't know.

nhangen2• 16 years ago

Sorry, what I meant was that I can only speak for the Soldiers I served with in Afghanistan or in my company. From our conversations, they've always felt it was an honor. Perhaps it's different in other places.

Edit: btw, I'd estimate that more than 1/8 at this point. Most Soldiers these days spend more time overseas than at home. My friends deploy every 6 months. Friends from the old unit, every 18 months for 12 at a time. It wears on the soul, and the family.

TNO• 16 years ago

I've been called both baby killer and hero.....whatever.

leed25d• 16 years ago

I was in the US Army from 1968-1971. It happens occasionally that someone will say something like 'Thank you for your service' or words to that effect. My response is usually along the lines of 'If you really want to thank me then put some effort into ending wars.'

Why Some Veterans Hate it When You Say 'Thank You'

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