Thank you but in all honesty, it was a pleasure to have served... I would do it again in a heart beat. It goes both ways, we also appreciated the support from friends, families and strangers that are state side.
Originally Posted by Zurrock
That's true. My father in law spoke about how he was treated after 'Nam. And I'll never forget the strangers who greeted us as we deplaned for a stop in Maine of all places as we returned from Iraq after Storm. I still get choked up remembering the old WWII vet that hugged me and thanked me for my service. All I wanted to do was thank him as he surely had it rougher than I. And the stranger in Massachusetts who sent our unit books so we'd have something to read. Or the school kids from all over the country that sent letters and care packages... even if just part of an assignment, it warmed our hearts and our CO insured every letter got an individual response from someone in our unit.
Now a days with Skype and such it must be so different I guess.... but I won't forget standing in line for hours outside a makeshift phone tent for a 5 min call home using a calling card mailed to us from perfect strangers that I'd never be able to thank or let them know how much it was appreciated.
Vets day is more than thanking us or remembering our "sacrifices" but also should be a chance to remember the collective effort. Especially since it feels our country is more internally divided than ever in recent history. A good day (among others of course) to be thankful and proud to be an American.
Not to say if any particularly generous Canadian provider wanted to give me a more personal thanks that I'd turn her down! Lol After all I served side by side with a few of our allies over there Canadians included! ;-)