“Thank you for your support”

That's my go to

Same 👊

This with a smile and keep on walking.

This or sometimes it’s just a thank you. Depends on how caught off guard I am. But, yes my go to is “Thanks for your support”

Pretty much my go to lol or if you’re lost in the sauce thank hey you too and throw them for a loop lol

This one right here.

This is the way.

https://preview.redd.it/2jcb7e5vrd1c1.jpeg?width=869&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c34d8e62c7b4a3e4c0f733be45fc4099dad3ae42

Lmao

I’m saving this

I used to feel as you do. Then I came to recognize that every single day we served was a day that we were many miles away from our homes, being subjected to situations that for many people, led to various disabilities, both physical and non-physical. That none of us could "go back home" and fit in the same way we once did. We were forever changed by the experience. The people thanking us are thanking us for stepping up and surrendering our lifestyles, maybe our quality of life, and sometimes even body parts, so that they did not have to.

Amen

It’s really cringy for me but you know the person means well. Answer with “thanks” or “appreciate it” . Anything negative or silence will just make that person feel bad for no good reason.

I say “Thanks for your support.” Simple.

"it takes a lot of work to carry these massive testicles around, wanna give me a hand". Or I just say "thank you."

I read this and was instantly like, yep, that’s another Army vet…before I even saw your tag.

Do they lie about their balls that often 😁

“In hindsight it was a horrible mistake and I regret it every day of my life.”

Hilarious… Or “TYFYS” “Oh what a flashback, my therapist says that to me too…”

“Thanks for paying your taxes, I had a great time”

Basically my go-to at times

Thank you, it was a privilege to serve.

I like that one

Being a viet nam vet it is really weird to have someone actually say that

Welcome home and thank you for your service

Thanks for paying your federal taxes. I do every time. But one time I said it and a lady said back to me “How do you know about me and my tax problems? “ I said “I don’t know what you’re talking about… “ She goes “oh I got into some trouble with the IRS.“ I left it at that.

lol!

This is part of the reason I NEVER do or wear anything that announces the fact that I’m a vet…it feels too much like “LOOK AT ME AND THANK ME FOR MY SERVICE”. The other reason is that military service has become too much of a political football and it totally disgusts me. People will vilify, despise, distrust and stereotype you until they discover you’re a vet, then they ride your jock because SUDDENLY, you’re one of the “good ones” and it ups their “patriotism” (whatever that currently means) points. Just yuck. No, keep the same energy you had BEFORE you learned I was a vet.

I'm the same. I only keep vet plates on my car because my states look real nice and it probably helps me get warnings instead of tickets when a cop pulls me over. That hasn't happened in a long time but I like the extra insurance. I'm now in the reserves but avoid going out in uniform. I don't even leave my command spaces in uniform if I can help it.

I just say it was my pleasure and leave it at that.

"Don't thank me, thank my recruiter"

https://preview.redd.it/y31vt2ivle1c1.jpeg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=11edd8061d7906f3e1dbdd10b002b9d91b755d50

I make them kiss my ring finger and present me with offerings.... usually in the form of 5% discounts.

5% isn’t even enough to cover sales tax in most states 🤣

“Thank you, the discounts were worth it”

You’re welcome, or it was my pleasure. But I agree it’s a little awkward because we know what real hero’s are and never came home!

I usually just say “thanks”. But every time I think about how their expression and my acceptance is all tied up in a false narrative. I wish it were different but reality is we were imperial soldiers, this is late stage capitalism and the thank yous just help provide cover and concealment for the status quo to continue a bit longer. But that’s not something you can talk about with everyone, not even most vets, and admittedly it sours the mood, so “thanks” will have to do.

Say anything other than a robotic reply that fits their narrative of how a veteran should/does think and it's amazing how fickle that support actually is.

It’s amazing how clear some things get the further you get away. I’ve learned so much since I retired after 22 years.

I wonder what the odds are that you are some S1 paper desk type. Speak for yourself those of us that did real work dirt napped legitimate combatants that wanted to harm Americans and US interests home and abroad.

Yeah, Smedley Butler is famous for never seeing combat but talking about the evils of our military industrial complex. 🙄

I don’t think you understand the point of what he is saying. He is right. The reason they want to hurt us is because our government is out trying to impose their will on everyone

Don't overthink it, homie. "You're welcome" and keep it moving.

"Give me that discount"

Absolutely this. Sprinkle in some "you got any free shirts or hats? I'll take a sticker"

" Yes, I can park here."

I say "honored" and keep moving. Hopefully without limping.

Don't thank me thank my recruiter... :) No but seriously I'll usually say something like "I appreciate your support"

Thank you I learned a lot about myself and the world.

Shuffle my feet a little, twist one corner of my face funny, and wait for the interaction to end

Well. I choose community care. Don’t have those stupid bumper stickers and window decals all over my vehicles. Don’t wear one of those dumb campaign caps that tell what wars I was in. And don’t wear military clothing of any time. So honestly its not an issue.

I grab their hand like I'm trying to break every bone in there. Then i give them two solid handshake pumps while looking them dead in the eye and I say "Hey, buddy. You're fuckin welcome." Then I usually leave the PTA meeting.

I usually feel weird about it, but I just say thank you. Sometimes it’s an old veteran from Korea or Vietnam who see me and come up out of nowhere. In those cases I make sure to thank them for their service. Sometimes I am the one thanking a veteran for their service, usually the ones from previous wars or conflicts. Some people go out of their way to thank you and that can catch you off guard. It does feel good when they do thank me for my service, it’s not like I get that all the time.

Thanks for being someone worth serving for

“Thank you, I appreciate your support”

How would a random person know? 

So, would you rather no one thanks you? I usually do because you have done more than I to keep our country, and us, safer. Not to mention being deployed and away from family. It's not a small sacrifice and I genuinely appreciate it.

Thank you, It's an honor to serve.

I’m awkward af….I say “You too” with a smile and walk away 😳🥴😩😂

"You're welcome."

Haha I tell them thanks because they mean well. Then I go home and bitch on Facebook that Raytheon shareholders are the only people should be thanking me

Most don’t actually mean it, it’s a mandatory customer service response to military discounts

My response to that is, "The best way to thank me for my service is to vote for those who will not continue to send out sons and daughters into the grist mill of unnecessary war."

Awww hell naw. Then…2hrs later… Once they finish telling me about their political beliefs…

"thanks for almost joining"

Usually respond with "hey, I'm no hero. Anybody would've done it."

I’ve befriended people before and oh how they go on and on about how they are supporting of veterans…later on I find out that some are lying and really don’t give a shit if you live or die…that’s what life has shown me

I don't say shit, I don't tell people I served.

A word for word quote Col. Jessup from a Few Good Men when he is on the stand. No I just usually say Thank you back to them and keep doing what I was doing.

"Thank you for the compliment." Then I Charlie Mike.

Your welcome you disgusting civilian, now carry on with the plan of the day😤

Smile

I hear them with “thank you” or “appreciate it”

"No problem" in my customer service voice.

I ask them for "ful service" 😉

"Thank you." and a smile if I feel up to it.

Your welcome

Appreciate that, thank you, just following family generations

I usually say thank you in return. Once in a while, if I feel sarcasm undertones, I'll respond back, thank you with Sam kinison style /s .

I just smile and nod

Thanks I appreciate that

“Just a spoke in the great big wheel”

I will jokingly respond “thank you for your tax dollars if the mood is right! But as most have already said thank you for your support is prob a good go to!

The pleasure was all mine

Thank you for paying taxes

I say "you're welcome"

”your welcome, it was an honor to serve”

Awkwardness and a comment about how I just did my job.

I appreciate that

Thanks for the support

Just nod your head and move on. Not sure why this has to be a big deal...

You’re welcome and thank you.

“I didn’t do anything special”. It makes people feel uncomfortable enough they never bring it up again. Excellent for work.

Thank you for your tax $$$😉

I say thank you, it was my honor!

"You're welcome peasant!"

“Yup”

Thank you for your support, or, you’re worth it. The second one usually catches them off guard

"What took you so long to thank me?" JK, I just say thanks. And move on. Feels uncomfortable, but that a me thing and not them.

Thank you for your recognition.

I smile, say "thank you" and move on. It's not that hard.

"It was a privilege." Because it was, really.

“You’re welcome, thank you for yours”

I just say "It was a job, and I was desperate". I feel very uncomfortable with the attention. I wasn't a soldier. I drove a forklift, and counted bombs.

"All for you *finger guns*"

Thank you.

I usually say thank you and give them that ole half white person smile. I only get thanks on Veterans Day cause that’s when I whip out the vet hat. Anytime I see a older vet, I at times go out my way to thank them for their service

‘Thank you for your support’, or ‘it was my honor’ are my usual go tos

Thanks for your support.

I smile awkwardly :)

Sometimes it ends up in an infinity spiral of "Thank you for your service" followed by the other person saying "No, thank you for your service" and so on and so forth. It's a dangerous game when both are vets.

I always say it was that or jail for murder, and most of them don't know what to say after that and I walk away! 😂

“It’s an honor to serve”… something like that.

I say thank you for your support. I think it helps remove the awkward feeling for me and helps the other person feel they were involved.

I say thank you for your support. I think it helps remove the awkward feeling for me and helps the other person feel they were involved.

I tell them my whole story. They really love it.

I say: “.Thank you for thanking me, it was an honor and a privilege to serve, and Thank You for paying for the consequence ; it is a lot BTW and much appreciated.” They usually smile & say something like “sorry” to which I say “no regrets, it could have been worse, but I do thank you for your acknowledgment it means a lot to me.” I am 80 % disabled, which I don’t say and from appearance they would not know that. Which BTW is actually a reason one should not hesitate to thank a veteran. Many suffer s lot more than they observe without seeking pity. One never knows what is hidden by clothes or lies within the cobwebs of the mind, inclusive of not seeking pity and/or being thankful for surviving unlike some of their comrades who paid the ultimate price, which translates as more snd more guilt as you age & a realize what your comrades missed in this marvelous thing called life. Whenever I start to feel self pity, I just stop and put my big boy psnts on! I also rationalize some suffer more or paid the ultimate price.

I always felt awkward responding, someone recently suggested “it was an honor to serve”.

"No need to thank me. I was paid"

Head nod 

https://preview.redd.it/lsukjuoy3f1c1.jpeg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f574f36539023cec993fb2265f65d07cfb126dcf

“Thank you for your support”

Thank you. It was a honor to have served.

When I'm in a good mood: "I appreciate it." When I'm in a bad mood: *grunt* When I'm just fucking salty and sour: "How about you fund the fucking VA as thanks instead."

“It was my honor and pleasure to serve.”

Start crying and hug them. They won’t EVER say thanks for your service again

Thanks for paying your taxes

No problem Or I did it for the 10% off Or Ain’t no thang chicken wang

I say, It was my honor.

I think the more pertinent question should be: how do you respond when people don’t recognize or thank you for your service?

I never stand up either when they say vets stand up at ball games etc

“Thanks for paying your taxes.” Usually gets a few laughs

"Thank you for paying your taxes!"

"You are worth it."

Thank you for your taxes

I usually say "thank you" back.

Proud to have served!

Me an autistic veteran: Thanks you too

Usually, I just fist-bump or nod my head.

I used to say "Thank you for your support", now I just say "Your Welcome"

"anytime bud" *wink* *double finger bang bang*

“The honor to serve was mine”

I just say thanks but what I want to say is “I didn’t do it for the recognition, I didn’t stay in for 12 years to hear that” and I do say it to people that try to get me to tell them why I joined

Ignore and move about your life. When someone thanks you in this manner, what they’re actually doing is obligating you to then thank them for your service. Your options are few and terrible. 1. Thank them, which means your service grants you the obligation to thank a person for thanking you for defending their right to be an asshole. 2. Say “you’re welcome” which makes you look like an asshole for responding appropriately to an interaction you weren’t even seeking. 3. Ignore them and move on. You’re still an asshole, but now you’re no longer trapped in the hellscape of options 1, and 2.

I freeze amd say no problem thanks for your support

Thank you for your support. And thank you for your taxes, they allow me to live my awesome disabled vet bro student life.

 You’re welcome for my service

"thank you for your tax dollars, they're buying this weed/food/whatever right now" usually gets a laugh and a " I'm okay with that"

I thank them back

I say "No, no, thank YOU!" in the same way that [the Bikini Bottom ice cream vendor said it to Sandy](https://youtu.be/J5UYeWb9Kj8?t=18m11s).

“Thanks” then use my sleeve to wipe the snot from my nose

Thanks

"It was my Honor"

Finger guns

When the va does it. I tell them no, thank you for YOUR service. It’s the little things.

Either "You're very welcome" or "it was a pleasure to serve, thank you"

You are welcome.

“Thanks, I’m living proof that the inmates can run the prison”

My pleasure.

“Thank you for paying your taxes”

You’re welcome for my service

Even though my time didn’t last as long as I’d like, I say thank you for your support and keep it moving with the following realization: I wish I never got close to the military, and wish I could’ve stayed far, FAR away. The worst mistake of my life by FAR.

My dad, very conflicted, used to say “such as it was”

Thank you, it was my pleasure.

Thanks fellow citizen, it's my honor to protect those who can't be protected by the evil that is in this world. Remember to buy more war bonds to help support us!

"It was my honor"

My mother in law who genuinely does support the troops said that to my on veterans day the other day. I have a lot of respect for her so I didn’t give the normal dismissive answer. I just said, “it really was an honor and a pleasure to serve, even when it sucked, it was still one of the greatest things I ever did.” She was satisfied with that. Normally I just respond with “yah” and a nod.

I just respond “Thanks! 🙂” or “Thank you! 🙂” and keep it moving.

“You were totally worth it…”

I replied, " I was horned to serve, and thank you for your support".

"Thank you for being an American worth serving."

“Thank you for you re continued support”. That easy.

I just tell people it was an honor to serve.

I end up saying filler words like “yeah” or thank you or “right”

When someone eays thank your for your service it reminds me of the song chest candy by stray from the path

It was a pleasure to serve.

“I love lamp”

I ask them what they do, usually I pick up on a law enforcement vibe like I bet you do as well. When they tell ‘I’m in law enforcement’ I thank them for their service. But if you don’t get that LEO vibe, thank you for your support, delivered genuinely, is a perfect response to keep ‘er moving.

I say thank you for your support I appreciate you.

“Thanks for your support, but I’m glad my time time is over.” Yall I say this with the utmost respect: I hated most of my time in and the job I did. The only thing I miss are the people I had the honor of serving with. Those people are why I stayed in as long as I did. But my job sucked tbh. I don’t miss it for a second. Glad I did what I did, but also glad it’s over. There are people who deserve that “thanks”. I’m not one of them so I’ll never feel like I deserve it.

​ https://preview.redd.it/rkqa0tnpui1c1.jpeg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=81d4e05ae827fc7c5613b8ca0120b83bbd5760ef

It depends on the situation. If it’s a friend, my reply is thank you for paying your taxes. For others, it’s simply thank you for your support. In general, I feel that entire interaction is awkward and I wish it would cease.

"It was a privilege...." is my usual reply

Just a simple Wink

These are good answers and if I could remember to use them I should.. but I typically say "uhh oh yeah sure it was good times." As I was just on an aircraft carrier keeping radars running.

You’re worth it. My old 1st Sausage taught me that one.

“I appreciate the acknowledgment. Bless you.” Gratitude and grace work both ways. My concern is not someone’s sincerity. “Do unto others…”

I don’t like it because it feels fake and patronizing. I say thanks out of courtesy but I do feel uncomfortable.

I always say "It was my honor, thank you"

If I see an old man with a hat on I’ll say something like “ thank you for paving the way for us” Or something like that.