First, thank you for all of you Dopers who appreciate what I do. I chose my job, and now my career, because of the benefits. Not because of any particular call to service. Here in Paris, Texas there is a training camp, and a unit is training up to deploy. I am getting a lot of praise and thanks from the residents of Paris. I thank you all. I am also proud of the men and women that wear the Uniform.
Here is my concern, when I took my R&R leave from Iraq, the thing to do at the time, in the airports was to clear a path and applaud the Soldier. I felt a little pride, and a lot of embarrassment at the attention given to me. I hadn’t done anything more than my job. I felt personal pride in that.
Now, there is a way to thank a Soldier without saying a word. This video shows you how. The video was supposed to be disseminated to the lowest level for Soldiers. So, a Soldier should know what the gesture means. (Basically, place your hand over your heart as you would for the Pledge of Allegiance, then bring it down with the palm open).
Look, thank me or not. I really appreciate the support, but if you can’t say thank you to the Soldier, don’t feel as though you have to. Most do what they do with pride. If you cannot approach the Soldier and say thank-you, I don’t think anyone will think any less of you. I didn’t when people kept walking beside me in the airport.
The vast majority of us appreciate the job you guys are doing. A lot of folks may not agree with the politics, but can separate that from your activities.
Hey, I may disagree with the job you’ve been sent there to do, but I sure as heck don’t hold you to blame, and I appreciate the determination and hard work y’all put forward everyday so far from home for such a tough cause. Keep it up- you do your job well.
You know I love you and all, (how’s the cabin coming?) but I’m sorry, I think this gesture/campaign is just…just indescribable. I’ve seen it before and my opinion hasn’t changed.
I couldn’t do it without feeling like an utter douchebag. I think the motivations are good, and the idea isn’t horrible, but no way.
If you are thankful, look them in the eyes or smile or nod your head, hell, flash them your tits. Any of those responses seem like a more positive and spontaneous reaction than this.
Do you think people would really do this? Do you think that people have such poor social skills, that they need to have a programmed response for gratitude? Not being snarky, serious question.
A lot of soldiers are just doing their job. It’s nothing special. You might as well thank the plumber.
I fixed the TOW missile system on the Bradley for a year in Iraq, then I fixed computers for another year there. I’m no hero. Not everybody is Rambo. No need to think up sign language. Just talk to them and see what their story is. That is about as nice a gesture as any. Soldiers are just people.
Also, a lot of soldiers aren’t exactly in harm’s way. For example: A friend of mine spends one weekend a month playing the trumpet for the Army. I’ve seen people walk up to him and thank him for his service as if he’s a big hero. He himself admits it’s absurd to assume that the guy wearing a military uniform is a Big Hero.
Don’t get me wrong: if you want to thank the random uniformed stranger, go for it. I won’t stop you. But I think it’s somewhat ignorant to assume that someone in a military uniform is a Big Hero who you owe a debt to, when in reality, the extent of his service is to occasionally be in a marching band.
Me personally, I do thank the public for their kind gesture, but believe me: I just want to get home. I just got off the Freedom Bird, am sleepy/jet lagged, and have to huck my bags from Point “A” to Point “B”. The last thing I want is to be the center of some impromptu dog-and-pony show. I don’t like the limelight anyway.
The best thing you can do for me? Just be polite, be normal, and speed me on my way. I swear, those first few hours in “the public” can make or break my vacation time after a deployment–less stress = more fun.
Oh, and Bear, I salute you brother! :: lifts shirt and flashes hairy man-pectorals ::
I’m with you Doc, but for those that don’t have the social skills to talk, and even to those that do, I will second fisha’s gesture suggestion. (BTW, fisha, cabin is coming along well, I am just waiting for the hot tub to arrive. )
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