How do you respond when civilians question you about your military service and don't like your answer

In May and June each year, people who don't usually talk about the military seem more interested. Personally I enlisted at the end of the Vietnam War hoping to be sent over; but, additional Combat Engineers weren't needed at that point. Throughout my career I submitted periodic requests for assignments - 1st one to Germany an a young Infantry officer during the cold war was the only request that was agreed to by the Army. Later on I realized I was going to be serving primarily to meet Army requirements - if my desires matched great if not I learned to live with it and do the best i could in every assignment to meet the requirements of those over me and train and protect those serving alongside and serving under me.
SFC Mark Merino, Capt (Join to see), MSG (Join to see), SFC Jason Bautista,CPT Bruce Beattie, CPT (Join to see), SFC Ron Chelsy, MSG Tom Earley, Capt Christian D. Orr, SSG VNicia Young, [~459598-cpl-jay-freeman], SFC (Join to see), PFC Chris Hemingway, MSG Wade Huffman, SGT Felicia King, SPC Nate Lamphier, LTC Bink Romanick, SSG Paul Setterholm, CW5 Charlie Poulton