Brian, thank you for this video. Hearing directly from a person who served in both Vietnam and the Gulf, is very illuminating to me. I also appreciate him sharing his difficult moments in service, as well as his frank assessments of both conflicts, at the end of the interview.
Thank you for your service question.
- Thread starter Rob Allen
- Start date
Brian, thank you for this video. Hearing directly from a person who served in both Vietnam and the Gulf, is very illuminating to me. I also appreciate him sharing his difficult moments in service, as well as his frank assessments of both conflicts, at the end of the interview.
USN 68-72. I thank vets for their service when they're wearing a hat, shirt, jacket or something that identifies their military veteran status. Invariably they nod or say thanks. Not many people were thanking veterans for their service in '72 when Dean and I were separated from active duty. @Rob Allen, I don't think you're being trite when you thank a vet for his service, I think you are being respectful.
That’s terrible. Some people just lack basic respect for others. That’s one reason I like fish more than humans! Present company excepted!
When I'm thanked for my service, I simply reply with, "Thank you for your support."
I watched a presentation by a veteran's group about this subject, and one combat veteran said he hated being thanked. He saw the horrible aftereffects of his actions in the war and did not want to be thanked for what he felt responsible for. Every time someone thanked him, it brought back all those images.
I watched a presentation by a veteran's group about this subject, and one combat veteran said he hated being thanked. He saw the horrible aftereffects of his actions in the war and did not want to be thanked for what he felt responsible for. Every time someone thanked him, it brought back all those images.
wanderingrichard
Life of the Party
@RobAllen;
Heres David Bellavia on YouTube. (X2) It might help understand why those of us who are veterans have mixed reactions.
And
Heres David Bellavia on YouTube. (X2) It might help understand why those of us who are veterans have mixed reactions.
And
Rob Allen
Life of the Party
Those horrible things were done in my place. I am at fault for the things they had to do and see. Veterans have no responsibility at all for what they do. The blame goes of those who they represent, that's me. I imagine that's small to no comfort but it's the truth.
Thank You for that perspective. The trauma each individual suffered is unique, as is the path for healing.
I don't know a damned thing about combat. I know nothing about being in the military really. I don't know where any particular veteran comes from, why they served, how they served, where they served, or how they feel about it. I do not know if they want to talk about it, or have it brought up. Veterans are not a homogenous block of people.
I know that people who I have spoken to and have served, have communicated a wide range of feelings towards serving and their experience. I've come to the conclusion that it is not for me to bring it up. It's an experience that I have no right to. If a veteran chooses to bring up their experience, I am always interested for sure but I try to show some respect by understanding that they get to choose if they want to initiate any discussion about their experiences.
Having never seen any sort of combat, I assume that here is no way that I could really empathize with those that have. Combat seems to be too intense/ massive of an event for me to comprehend. Simply I have not gone through it. I am not willing to bring it up for my own curiosity or my own interest.
It's a difficult line. I choose to be deferential with regards to bringing it up.
I know that people who I have spoken to and have served, have communicated a wide range of feelings towards serving and their experience. I've come to the conclusion that it is not for me to bring it up. It's an experience that I have no right to. If a veteran chooses to bring up their experience, I am always interested for sure but I try to show some respect by understanding that they get to choose if they want to initiate any discussion about their experiences.
Having never seen any sort of combat, I assume that here is no way that I could really empathize with those that have. Combat seems to be too intense/ massive of an event for me to comprehend. Simply I have not gone through it. I am not willing to bring it up for my own curiosity or my own interest.
It's a difficult line. I choose to be deferential with regards to bringing it up.
USAF 68'-72', never served in harm's way, never bring it up unless asked, was just doing a job to help my country.
For my friends who served in combat, however, I find it is either the last thing they want to take about, or something they were proud as hell of doing, mostly because of the bond they formed with their fellow soldiers.
They want to talk, I'm glad to listen.
For my friends who served in combat, however, I find it is either the last thing they want to take about, or something they were proud as hell of doing, mostly because of the bond they formed with their fellow soldiers.
They want to talk, I'm glad to listen.
Zak
Legend
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Most young vets think it’s time to retire ‘Thank you for your service’
Veteran’s Day is fast approaching, and with it, a gathering storm of “Thank you for your service" dispatches.
www.militarytimes.com
I'm not a veteran, so what do I know? But I found this article interesting.
I don't display anything that would suggest I served, and I think all I have left of that time is my DD214, but it seems to me if someone openly identifies as an active duty member or a veteran, they're proud of what they did and it's fine to thank them. And not just at this time of year.
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Theron
Keeper of the bees
I was drafted
I agree with you, if someone is wearing a hat or shirt showing their service, I thank them. Otherwise, how would I know. My DD214(N) is all I have left.
I'm a technodinosaur so not sure how to send a link here but there is an organization called Healing Waters for fly fisher veterans. A local fly fishing club known as Salmon Creek Flyfishers (to which I admit I'm not a member but I have good intentions to begin attending meetings) is involved with this. I am thankful for the service of all veterans although I am not one. I was drafted in 65 but failed my induction physical. Two of my close friends and fishing buddies served in Vietnam but are reluctant to talk about it. I respect that.
Uptonogood
PNW raised
If someone wants to thank me for my military service, I just respond with “Well thank you for saying that, it was my honor To serve..” It was different back in the late 60’s and early 70’s. We veterans took a lot of shit for serving in or during the Vietnam debacle. Our short hair set us out in a crowd, that’s for sure. Our non serving age cohort called us .”baby killers” and the “Greatest Generation” that sent is into that mess called us “cry babies”. It was an awful time for sure.
I was in a big meeting and training session in 2002 or so. There were about 200 people in attendance and the chairperson told the veterans in the group to stand up. There was a very loud applause and cheering from the audience which caught me by surprise. My high school buddy, an Army infantry RTO, combat wounded in Vietnam, was standing next to me. It stunned him. My response (an Air Force, foreign language instructor in Vietnam) was similar. It got to both of us, I guess. Some national healing perhaps?
I was in a big meeting and training session in 2002 or so. There were about 200 people in attendance and the chairperson told the veterans in the group to stand up. There was a very loud applause and cheering from the audience which caught me by surprise. My high school buddy, an Army infantry RTO, combat wounded in Vietnam, was standing next to me. It stunned him. My response (an Air Force, foreign language instructor in Vietnam) was similar. It got to both of us, I guess. Some national healing perhaps?
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