"Thank you for your service."

[Callmecrazy]

As a veteran, that's what I hear whenever someone finds out that I served our country in uniform. It sounds like they said "Gesundheit" after I sneeze. It's polite, but not really sincere.
I never say anything back because "you're welcome" just doesn't seem adequate. I stand there and try to think of something meaningful but it doesn't come and the moment has passed.
I saw a video on facebook today that brought a tear to my eye. A young, (thiyrtyish) woman was at the Post Office with her three year old daughter and she was checking a post office box that she had set up for a veteran that had helped her when she was a homeless single mom. He had very little to give, but he gave all. Now, years later, she is on her feet and paying it forward. She set up those boxes to receive letters and packages for this old man who basically saved her life. She showed us how excited her little girl was to open the box and pull out all the envelopes; and the keys to open the large parcel boxes. Four keys. Four boxes full of Amazon packages for this man who never stopped serving. She was crying as she filled her trunk with all of this stuff sent by people she didn't know and would never meet to help a veteran they didn't know and would never meet.
I am constantly amazed at the generosity of the human spirit. Especially from those that received help when they least expected it.
It got me thinking.
Whenever someone thanks me for my service, I am going to hold them to it and say something like this: " You can thank me by helping another human being that you are able to help. You see someone on the street in the cold, a cup of coffee would be nice, but a warm coat would help more. A safe place to sleep, even in your car or shed could mean everything to that person. It's not a hand out, it's hand up. Because you owe."
It's a call to action.
I hope the many veterans here at DU read this and say something like this when they're given the limp handshake and their "thank you" while they're looking at their shoes.
The Oath we took when we raised our hand in the MEPS never expires.
Neither does the Pledge of Allegiance.

[underpants]

1. 🇺🇸

[GusBob]

2. Non veteran here, so grain of salt

I sat next to a vet on a plane, he was chatty. So when I found out he served, instead of the "TYFYS" comment I asked him where and what he did. Thats always interesting, and he was very, very interesting. After awhile I did thank him for his service.

Then he started asking about what I did (I work for the IHS as a health care provider) he actually turned the tables and said: I should be thanking you for your service as well!
I thought that was cool

[Dunc]

3. I agree it's a hollow saying.

Then I’ll reply and ask who did you vote for.

[PCB66]

4. As a Vietnam Veteran

I never respond when someone says that. However, in my mind I think "where in the hell were you when I came home in 1970?"

On the other hand, my son, an Iraq War veteran, loves that acknowledgement.

[BidenRocks]

8. 9th grade.

I enlisted Feb. 1973.
I was spat at on Katella in 74.
Near the Bob Hope USO.
Long gone.

[HeartsCanHope]

5. Thank you for your service.

In your honor I accept your call to action and I will start today by donating to World Kitchen. Thank you once again!

[AllaN01Bear]

6. please note .

my late mom once said to me to say thank u to drs. nurses .police /fire men. emts and soldiers . this is my way of paying it foreward.

[usedtobedemgurl]

7. I help when I can.

In January, I rented a movie theater, showed The Never-ending Story and provided popcorn and drinks for area struggling families.

In February, I took struggling families out to a pizza buffet.

Last week I cooked up hotdogs and Smores and provided sundaes go area struggling families.

Next month I will do a cookie walk for the kids. The month after that, if a fundraiser works out, I will take the families out to Outback around Mother's Day.

Veterans can ask me to do for others. I can thank them. I am trying.