For decades, the phrase “thank you for your service” has been used by Americans to say thanks to Veterans and active-duty service members. But it’s also become one of those things that might make you feel good without actually doing anything. Veterans and the military community at large deserve our support and, in some cases, need it. We owe them a debt for our freedom, and now lawmakers are pushing a bill that would change the phrase to “thank you for our freedom” as a way to show appreciation. The response has been mixed… to put it nicely.
Read next: How To Apply for VA Disability & What You Need To Know
What To Say Instead of “Thank You for Your Service”
The cliché “thank you for your service” has inspired everything from film titles to slogans found throughout the country as a way to express thankfulness.
But all of that could change if lawmakers get their way with a proposed bill that would replace the phrase.
Instead of saying a Veterans Day thank you for your service, or a thank you like this at any time, the idea now is to say “thank you for our freedom.”
This small, yet supposedly meaningful, change is aimed at making a law to encourage people to show appreciation in a new way.
Never mind the fact that this would surely have to be symbolic because the U.S. government, in most cases, can’t exactly dictate what you say.
Either way, if H.Res.1405 — 117th Congress (2021-2022) were to pass, then our lawmakers would have successfully supported the troops… just not in a real, tangible manner.
When Did “Thank You for Your Service” Start?
It’s nearly impossible to pinpoint exactly when or how the phrase got started. Nevertheless, the late ‘90s was around the time it started to pop up.
However, thank you for your service became a notable slogan, call, and response during the War on Terror that began after the September 11th terrorist attacks.
Observing Military Holidays
Saying a Veterans Day thank you is like eating turkey on Thanksgiving or exchanging gifts during the holidays. They go together in many different ways.
There are countless promotions for just as many industries and businesses providing discounted or free goods and services to Veterans as a way to say thanks.
Different people have different feelings about such traditions because not everyone has had the same experience.
On one hand, these gestures, when honest, are a great way to show gratitude, even if it’s a small gesture.
Then again, the commercialization of the holiday that’s supposed to be remembering those who have served to keep our country free can also be a slap in the face to some.
Many Veterans continue to suffer. There are homeless Veterans stuck without the right resources for employment or support for mental health. There are also others who still struggle with many aspects of civilian life.
If you do say “thank you for your service” during any military holiday, it’s always best to present it with respect and dignity. You may also want to consider whether or not you know the person you’ll be thanking, as some Veterans may not take as kindly to the phrase.
How To Say Thank You for Your Service
So, giving the benefit of the doubt to both Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.) and Rep. J. Luis Correa (D-Calif.), the idea of saying “thank you for our freedom,” for whatever reason, seems harmless enough.
It also feels meaningless.
Especially because, all too often, saying thank you to Veterans can feel like something you do more than you actually mean.
This writer has never served. I’ve never had anyone in my household serve in the military, and I can easily admit that there are far more qualified people to talk about this subject than I. But it’s clear to see that there are still a variety of problems facing Veterans that our politicians, and we the people, should be focusing on instead.
America is free but has over 11,000 homeless Veterans. 22.5% of disabled Veterans face food insecurity. You don’t even need a statistic around PTSD, suicide, or mental health because of how widespread these issues unfortunately are.
We have ships getting troops sick, barracks in deplorable conditions, and we continue to see employment/transition hurdles for those entering back into civilian life. Sexual harassment persists, divorce is higher in military families, and so on and so forth, but this is all presented to ultimately say:
If this nation truly wants to say thank you, Veteran, for your service, we must do so through action.
“We need House and Senate members to not worry so much about changing the words that come out of people’s mouths, which may or may not be genuine, but to really put some meat behind the effort,” said Tom Porter, the man in charge of the office for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America in Washington, D.C.
“Right now, we’re trying to combat veterans’ homelessness, and we’ve got legislation called ‘Building Solutions to End Veterans’ Homelessness’ by Chairman (John) Tester (D-Mont.) that we need support for. These are all things that members of the House and Senate can do that genuinely help veterans and service members and improve their lives,” Porter continued.
It’s up to all of us to do our part by supporting Veterans and the entire military community with resources and a strong community and by voting for people who have their best interests at heart.
If America wants to really say “thank you for your service,” then America has to improve its treatment of those who defend its honor and freedom.
Suggested read: Veterans Food Assistance Near Me Searches Highlight Food Insecurity
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. | Photo by Member: 1149277| U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa
