If you get a genuine "thanks for your service" from a random community member, what is an appropriate reply?

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 23:31:15 -0500

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2014 11:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 23:37:47 -0500

I believe that the appropriate response is "it's my honor".

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2014 11:41 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 23:41:42 -0500

It always happens to me in restaurants.  It's really awkward when somebody pays for my meal.  I just say "no problem."

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2014 11:48 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 23:48:17 -0500

"It is a pleasure to serve. Thank you for the support."

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2014 11:49 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 23:49:43 -0500

Seeing that we were routinely reminded of how stupid we are and being called all other manner of stuff,  I think we just say,  'thank you'.  

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2014 1:10 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 01:10:25 -0500

I feel more awkward when a vet pays something for me. I guess for the fact that we earn more benefits then they did for serving where they did. During a reunion, I explained to one of the vets he doesn't have to pay my meal (which was about $30) because I get a reimbursement, but he paid anyway being stubborn lol.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2014 1:21 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 01:21:16 -0500

I don't think there is an appropriate reply, just whatever you feel is what I would say.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Feb 5 at 2014 1:29 AM

SSG Gerhard S. — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 01:29:42 -0500

<p>My response is that "It is my honor to have served."</p>

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2014 3:04 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 03:04:44 -0500

Its awkward for me since I dont feel like what I do has deserved any kind of recognition, but I usually reply with "thank you for the support, it is much appreciated"

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2014 8:58 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 08:58:17 -0500

The person (s) should get a warm thank you in response.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2014 9:07 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 09:07:07 -0500

When I am feeling fun and adventurous I like to respond with a loud and drawn out "Ammmmmmmmmerica!!!"...

But for the most part I stand up, look them in the eye, shake their hand, smile real big and say I really appreciate that and I thank you for your support ma'am/sir.

I love how sneaky people are when they pay for your meal! You don't even know it and then the waiter/waitress tells you that you are good to go when you try to ask for the check. =O

Response by CPT Mike M. made Feb 5 at 2014 9:09 AM

CPT Mike M. — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 09:09:42 -0500

I always go with "I'm happy to have the opportunity to serve, thank you."

Response by SFC Robert Putzer made Feb 5 at 2014 10:27 AM

SFC Robert Putzer — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 10:27:38 -0500

I always smile and warmly reply, Thank you for your support!

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Feb 5 at 2014 11:25 AM

SFC Stephen P. — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 11:25:23 -0500

Normally respond with, "You're welcome".

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2014 8:47 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 20:47:43 -0500

"Thank you for your support!" - with a smile.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2014 8:52 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 20:52:47 -0500

I usually reposed with either -

Thank you - I do it because of fine citizens like yourself.

It's my pleasure - I do it because of fine citizens like yourself.

Response by SSG Zachery Mitchell made Feb 5 at 2014 9:08 PM

SSG Zachery Mitchell — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 21:08:07 -0500

I usually use one of these two statements.

"I'm just doing what I love, thank you"

"Thank you, It's my honor"

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2014 2:34 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 14:34:35 -0500

I usually respond with "It's an honor to serve."

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2014 12:13 AM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 00:13:49 -0500

"You're welcome."

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2014 1:37 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 01:37:10 -0400

"You're welcome. You, too!"

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2014 2:22 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 02:22:36 -0400

I always feel a bit embarrassed when people thank my for my service. I feel that accepting such thanks sort of flies in the face of humility. I like to turn the table a bit and thank people who thank me for thanking servicemen as it shows they care.

Response by Sgt Randy Novak made Sep 18 at 2014 2:48 PM

Sgt Randy Novak — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 14:48:09 -0400

I respond with "You are Welcome and Thank You for your Support"

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2014 7:03 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 19:03:55 -0400

I typically respond with "Thank you Sir/Ma'am/Gentlemen/Ladies". One time though, I was at the airport in Atlanta, and some private straight out of basic training was in front of me. Some old vet wearing his Korean War hat came up to him and told him thank you. The private said "You're welcome". That PVT sounded like a pompous ass. I told him that if he encounters that situation again, say "thank you" instead of "you're welcome".

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 10 at 2014 8:21 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 08:21:44 -0500

"Thank you for your support."

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2014 9:27 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 09:27:19 -0500

Depending on the situation I like to reply with, "thanks but I'm really not that good ;)" which usually makes them smile. Sometimes they will say something like "oh I'm sure you are" to which I usually say "the folks I serve with are pretty awesome"

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Dec 10 at 2014 10:29 AM

SSG Tim Everett — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 10:29:54 -0500

I make eye contact, shake their hand, and say "Thank you for your support". Because it costs me exactly nothing to be civil to someone.

Response by CW3 Michael Bodnar made Oct 25 at 2018 10:39 AM

CW3 Michael Bodnar — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 10:39:04 -0400

I say: "You're quite welcome and thank you for your support, we really appreciate it."

Response by PO2 Whitney Mulberry-Chaplin made Dec 16 at 2018 1:56 PM

PO2 Whitney Mulberry-Chaplin — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 13:56:23 -0500

At first it was very awkward. Now I reply Thank you for your support. It then returns that show of support back to the community who we all need while away on deployment.

Response by LTC James McElreath made Feb 20 at 2019 11:06 PM

LTC James McElreath — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 23:06:55 -0500

Thank them for acknowledging your service and have a good day!