Best way to show respect & courtesy to military?

[Chairboy]

I'm a civilian, and I respect the commitment and sacrifices that our armed forces make every day to defend my rights and defend our country.  Folks in the military can salute each other, but what can a civilian do to show respect and appreciation to these guys and gals? 

Some of you have figured out answers to this puzzle.  I'm sure there are extremes, ranging from walking up to them and thanking them for their service to the country all the way down to just a friendly smile and wave, but is there some spot in between that's not annoying (most of these people have places to go and probably don't want to deal with a bunch of fat computer nerds stopping them every hundred feet to talk to them) but clearly communicates the idea?  A bunch of y'all have served too, and I'm curious what your thoughts on it are. 

If this is dumb, strike me down in a fury of scorn and teasing, I can take it, but I don't have an easy answer to this conundrum and I throw myself on the mercy of the O'Court.

[Jackal1]

When I notice a vet license plate and the owner is near. I always give a thank you for your service. Same for those in uniform.
Never had anyone not appreciate it yet.
The best way I have found to honor those who have served is to join The Patriot Guard Riders.

[lasersailor184]

Booze.

[Hornet33]

You just did it Chairboy.

I never expected anyone to thank me for my service. I did it because it's what I wanted to do with my life. Reading what you wrote, well it makes me feel good to know that there are people like yourself out there that do appreciate the sacrifices that those of us that have served or are serving have and do endure on everyone elses behalf. There is no catch all thing you can do and personally I don't think you need to try and find one. Belive me on this, when you thank one soilder, sailor, airman, marine, or coast guardsman those folks tell their buddies about it. By doing it once your doing it many times over and not even realizing it, but it does makes a differance.

Thank you sir, and your welcome.

Jason Whiting
"Hornet33"
USCG Retired

[Toad]

If I see folks in uniform out and about I just thank them for their service with the offer of a handshake if I'm that close and everyone is not just rushing past one another.

If I see a couple of them having lunch, I'll get the waitress and pick up the tab, say nothing and go on about my day.

In a bar, I'll offer to buy them a drink.

That's generally what I try to do.

[Maverick]

When I notice a vet license plate and the owner is near. I always give a thank you for your service. Same for those in uniform.
Never had anyone not appreciate it yet.
The best way I have found to honor those who have served is to join The Patriot Guard Riders.

That's a pretty darn good way right there. Toad also has some nice ideas. When it comes down to it, no one puts on the uniform with the idea that it's going to gain them much in the way of thanks at all. Perhaps impress the ladies hell yeah but not thanks. Simply passing by and saying thanks for serving will make one heck of an impression.

One day I came back to my work bike while at a scene I was working. I found a card. It was a preprinted card but it said thanks for being there and doing the job I was doing. It did come from a local church but it also had a place for a signature of the person who gave it. That had never happened before or after. I kept that card until long after I retired. Small stuff like that goes a long way.

[ROX]

I see quite a few active service folks, especially at airports while traveling.  I say "Thank you for your service to our country".  I usually get a toothy smile and a handshake and we're both on our way.

On more than one ocassion, I've seen this...

I'm in line at a fast food joint at the airport and there is a serviceman in uniform in front of me.  The serviceman orders and when it comes time to pay--as he is pulling out his wallet...someone steps forward and says "This soldier's money is no good here" and hands the cashier a ten.

Sometimes the soldier will say "No....that's ok"...

But a quick pat on the back and "Hey, It's the least I can do...you are the one fighting the bad guys"...and the soldier smiles and accepts the tribute.

I think we're back to a WWII mentality over the Vietnam mentality when it comes to appreciating our servicemen & women's efforts.  

A couple of things are different now.  

I think Americans look back on how returning Vietnam vets were treated and feel horribly ashamed.

You can either agree or disagree with the War Against Terrorism, but either way we can still show respect & courtesy to our servicemen.



ROX

[LEDPIG]

I feel the same way, i don't know what to say to them, sometimes i feel i'd be bothering them. But i do, do it when the time is right.

My dad was in a nursing home recently next door was a fellow in his 80's, he couldn't hear to well. One day we found out he was in WW2 in the Pacific and was deafened when one of those, i believe, 5 inch or 8 inch guns went off while he was on the deck. He said the blast picked him up, threw him, and knocked him down.

When my dad left, i made a special stop to tell the man thank you for what he did. He gave a smile, thats all i wanted to do, make him feel better, he deserves it.

 

[Tango]

One way is to show support. Going around protesting doesn't.

I have a nephew on his second tour in Iraq and he gets VERY POed whenever he sees or hears anyone protesting the war. He usually asks them if they've been over there and when they say no, he simply says "Don't protest against something you don't know about".

[lutrel]

 I retired after 24 years in the military in 2006, I have had many people thank me for my service in passing or even buy my lunch with out me even seeing who it was.  I can tell you this it is a great feeling to know we are appreciated for what we do for our nation as a  military member. 

The most memorable incident for me was in 2002 when we were drawing down the forces from Afghanistan.  We caught a civillian flight from Tokyo to Houston Texas and when we exited the plane into the terminal in Houston the entire terminal applauded us as we walked off the plane.  It was the first time I had ever experianced that and it put a big lump in my throat and a tear in my eye to see how much the people we had gone to war to protect appreciated us.  That moment made all the sacrifices I had made to be a military member worth it in my book.

[apcampbell]

It's happened to me on several occasions. I've been in the Navy almost 16 years now. When my Individual Augmentee unit deployed to Iraq, we had a refueling stop in Shannon, Ireland. There happened to be an American woman there passing through on a different flight, and she made sure to give all 400 of us a hug. Was a pretty neat feeling. Same when I finally came home to San Diego. Lots of hand shaking and thank-you's. This actually suprised me, because when I first joined many years ago, the prevailing attitude was "How do I speprate that Sailor from his paycheck?" And "Sailors and Dogs keep off the Grass". Times have changed for the better.

But I will admit feeling downright humbled, and sometimes very embarrassed when people make a fuss over what I do. To me, it's just a job. I feel I don't deserve such praise. But it is very comforting to know that we are appreciated, and it does make life just a little bit better.

If perhaps you want to show that appreciation in other ways, I'd suggest checking out the USO, VFW, and the Relief Societies for all 4 branches, as all these non profit orgs always are in need of help in order to support the military and their families.

[nirvana]

If perhaps you want to show that appreciation in other ways, I'd suggest checking out the USO, VFW, and the Relief Societies for all 4 branches, as all these non profit orgs always are in need of help in order to support the military and their families.

5 branches.  I was in an Atlantic City buffet with my family after graduating boot camp this past Friday and an older man smiled and waved and asked if I was in the service.  He proceeded to walk over and ask what service I was in "Coast Guard, sir" I told him.  He shook my hand and said, "I was in WW2, I did a little bit."  It was a very humbling experience to say the least.

I'd say that a big way is to just support the military and not protest.  We are doing our job just like everyone else, whether you support what we do or not.  It freaks me out that we have to be especially watchful in uniform in AMERICA because there are extremists who ant to bomb us and kill us.  I don't expect anything from anyone else because like I said, it's just my job, but a handshake and a thank you is just fine as well.

[Chairboy]

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses, I think I have some plans that I can call on now when I next find myself in that position. 

For those of you who have served our country that wrote or read here, I extend an additional sincere thanks to you.

[Halo46]

A simple thanks goes a long way. I served before all this current business and feel guilty about not still being in since I have a niece, nephew and ex-wife going back and forth over there. Be sure to let our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines know they are appreciated.

[RTSigma]

I have my friend and neighbor shipping out to Afghanistan later this year. Usually once a month when we hit the bars I buy all the drinks for him and tell him that just him training and going to serve is enough of a payback.

That and hes going to try and get me an authentic Afghan burka or some other fun things from there, so its all equal.