O-Trap;1881592 wrote:This brings up something my grandfather said.
He said he actually doesn't like it when people thank him for his service. He says something to the effect of, "When I got into the service, it was just something you were supposed to do. It wasn't going above and beyond or anything. When people thank me for doing something I just think I was supposed to do, it makes me uncomfortable."
I first heard him say this when he was in the hospital, and a man came around to thank any veterans who were currently patients. After the guy left, and it was just him and me, he said it made him uncomfortable to be thanked for just doing what he was already supposed to do.
So, anytime there's a reason to acknowledge service, I just thank him for demonstrating humility, and he knows what it means. Still, each time I think about it, it resonates with me more and more. Is it strange to thank a person for just doing what their convictions tell them they should do anyway? And would it not seem odd if we took that into other parts of life (thank you for not getting arrested, being a good parent to your kids, etc.)?
Make no mistake, I'm very thankful that people are willing and able to volunteer to defend the country, but as in the above example, I'm also thankful that people live as law-abiding citizens. Is it odd to thank someone for just following their own convictions?
Agreed. My sister in law in the Army and a few friends I have in the service are the same way. They think the "thank you for your service" line is lazy and often just a throwaway line and conversation ender. My sister in law would rather engage in an actual conversation with her about her time in Colorado, Missouri, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc and just listen.
My friends are the same way.
That's why I usually give time and money to actual legit causes like TAPS, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, and Project Rubicon. It's easy to say thank you. They deserve so much more.
