A majority of younger veterans said they feel uncomfortable when they are told “thank you for your service,” a new poll found.
Ahead of Veterans Day on Saturday, a survey found disparities between young military members and their older counterparts in how they prefer to be recognized for their service.
Among younger military members and veterans — age 18 to 29 — 70 percent said they feel uncomfortable or awkward when they are thanked for their service. Only 24 percent of older members, 65 years and up, say the same, the Endeavor Analytics and YouGov poll found.
“This data shows that military service members and our veterans want Americans to go beyond small talk to connect with them on a deeper level, including learning more about their service, honoring each veteran’s service in ways in which they feel comfortable talking about it,” Robert F. Whittle Jr., retired Army major general and United Services Automobile Association (USAA) chief of staff, said in a statement.
Sure, and yet you tell us a group of people who routinely need government assistance are there just for the money…
There’s something here you’re not understanding.
The rest of the world hates it too when Americans say it to their veterans really…
Fortunately if there’s one thing I’m consistent about it’s that I will never thank a troop colonial enforcer for their service.
GenX continues to not exist.
I hate being thanked. It’s not why I put on a uniform. I did it because I believed in the need, even if not always how the military is used.
What threat requires the “need” for you to join the most powerful military force on the planet?
My grandfather and uncle both served in my countries military, and I didn’t know what else to do at the time. While yes, they are used in combat, the majority of what they do is not warfare.
During my time, we assisted in sandbagging villages from flooding, helped fight forest fires, protected civilians fleeing from a warlord, etc. I personally never participated in those missions, but it was part of why I signed up.
As I said, I don’t always support how our military is used, but the need is real. And that, unfortunately, sometimes includes fighting.
It’s a weird thing to do. The lionization of the military is unhealthy for a democracy.
Thank a teacher, doctor, scientist or firefighter instead.
Also sanitization workers. We shouldn’t underestimate the importance of keepings things clean, have the sewage running, or taking our trash.
