Younger veterans feel uncomfortable when told thank you for service: Poll
Younger veterans feel uncomfortable when told thank you for service: Poll
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 …
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.
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I'm not in the military but I've always felt this way the case. It's so empty and meaningless.
It seems like it's more for the people saying it. "I did something nice today to make me feel good about myself. I thanked a person for doing something they signed up for under their own free will. "
I was at a party given by my neighbor last year and I met his brother-in-law, an Army vet. I chatted with him for a while but I gradually got the impression he had taken an instant dislike to me so I moved on. The next day I was talking to my neighbor and asked him what was up, and he told me that his BIL was highly offended that I hadn't said "thank you for your service". I thought this was bullshit and so did my neighbor - apparently this guy had never left the country, never saw combat, and just worked in an office building doing IT stuff.
Assholes are everywhere.
As the kid of two veterans who worked at the VA for a decade: the less they've done the more they crave the praise. The more humble they are the more they tend to deserve it.
You would be amazed at the number of "navy seals" that go to your local VA wearing hats.