Follow me... 1. It was their duty. 2. You paid your taxes (so he could shoot shit, shoot people, fuck foreigners, do it all for free and get paid). He should be thanking you. 3. 70% of most units are filled with the sick, the lame, and the lazy. They don't show up for PT, working parties, or extra duty. 4. You will never really know who the 30% are who broke their backs for the worthless 70% 5. Most "veterans" are fakes. I said "Semper Fi" to this old dude at the store last week and he replied, "thank you". Fake mo fo. 6. Of those that actually served, most embellished their service. For instance, every dude I meet that served just happened to be infantry. Well, who drove the trucks, cooked the food, did payroll, pulled teeth, issued boots? 7. Last and most important: those who really deserve your thanks, CRINGE and hate you when you tell them "thank you for your service". If you really want to thank them, don't make them cringe, hate you, or inspire people to lie. IF you meet someone that likes hearing thank you, remember he's a snake liar. Don't have business dealings with him, let him marry your daughter, or take your beer.