A Simple ‘Thank You’ Will Suffice

Nov. 11 is Veteran’s Day

Like most of us, I like to occasionally receive a simple “thank you” for something I have done. I think during this holiday season we should turn the tables a bit and bestow a hearty thanks to a segment of our population that at times does not receive enough “thank yous.” I’m speaking of the men and women in our Armed Forces.

November 11 marks Veteran’s Day—a day that honors the brave men and women who have defended our liberties. There will be gatherings on this day as we, as a nation, celebrate the dedication of our troops in battles long ago and from recent battles. If you have an opportunity it will brighten your day to attend one of these events and shake the hand of one of our heroes.

In addition, over the next couple of months many of the current men and women in the Armed Forces will be returning home to their families for the holidays. So if you encounter any of these brave soldiers, take a moment and thank them for their dedication to our country. It will put a smile on their face, and you will know that you are acknowledging a person who is devoting his or her life to protecting our way of life.

…

Want to continue?

By logging in you agree to receive communication from Quality Digest. Privacy Policy.

Create a FREE account

Forgot My Password

Comments

"Cheap Grace"

Dear Mr. Kalmar,

I beg to differ with your message. A simple "Thank You" will not suffice. American citizens have lost touch with the American military. And, service men and women will not be charmed through false expressions of gratitude.

Andrew Bacevich, current Professor of International Relations and History at Boston University and former Colonel in the US Army, argues that such expressions have less to do with showing real gratitude and more to do with aquitting us of the responsibility of citizenship (http://billmoyers.com/segment/andrew-bacevich-on-taking-action-in-syria/). We say "Thank You" in person or collectively at a ball game, but then we move on with our individual lives. We don't actually do or sacrifice anything.

So let's not perpetuate a charade that both we, the private citizen, and they, the professional soldiers, know is going on. It does nothing to build or enhance ties, but quite likely fuels further disconnect. Let's instead use Veteran's Day & every other day to reflect on how we are serving the country and each other. The "Thank You" will reveal itself in our collective prosperity.

PS: You can find Prof. Bacevich's book "Breach of Trust: How Americans Failed Their Soldiers and Their Country" here.

Sincerely, Shrikant Kalegaonkar (Twitter: @shrikale, LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shrikale/)

I disagree

I disagree Shrikant. Or at least I disagree on my behalf. Whether a "thank you" is "false" or not is a personal thing. It might be sincere for some, not for others. But what would the alternative be? Say nothing? Just jostle past the service man or woman and not acknowledge them?

If what you are saying is that we should do MORE that JUST say thank you. I would agree. A thank you is just a small thing. But again, when you meet a military person in a casual setting, perhaps get into a conversation with them, there is nothing wrong with thanking them. They are, in many cases, putting their lives on the line. Why not acknowledge it, even in that one small way?

Dirk Dusharme

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Dear Mr. Dusharme,

You, perhaps, were the closest in understanding my point which was that the veterans of this country deserve more than just "A Simple 'Thank You'..."

A simple 'Thank You'

will not help with processing a veteran's claim with the VA where the backlog is greater than a year
will not help a veteran get a job so he can transition back into civilian life
will do nothing for a veteran suffering from PTSD and contemplating suicide
will do nothing for the veteran who repeatedly suffers from sexual assault with no where to turn
will not stop for-profit colleges from scamming veterans
will not provide the soldier with the equipment he needs
...

If anything, I'm saying when a soldier is risking his life on the frontline, the citizen should be in the back asking "What can I do to support you?". Among other things, we should be calling our Senators and Congressmen and pressing them for action. We should get to know veterans and help them translate their frontline experience into resumes that will get them jobs. We should sit and listen to them and help them transition back to normal life. And, after taking action, offer a more meaningful 'Thank You'.

To say that a simple 'Thank You' will suffice is to trivialize the sacrifice veterans have made and continue to make. You can call those veterans who accept a simple 'Thank You' magnanimous. But, we shouldn't take that to mean it is enough. That is all.

Best regards, Shrikant Kalegaonkar (Twitter: @shrikale, LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shrikale/)

Thanks

Thanks Shrikant for expanding on your meaning. I figured that was where you were coming from, and I agree.

I was trying to make the point that, while we should do more... everything you say above... that is something that goes on behind the scenes. But in day-to-day life, in casual encounters, recognition on a personal level is also good. I think service people understand (as those who weighed in above do) that it's just a recognition, nothing deep, just an acknowledgement that someone notices what they are doing. On an interpersonal level that kind of recognition is almost always welcome. It isn't trivial at all.

Remember that during Viet Nam too many people had a hard time separating service people from politics. If you felt the war was wrong, then the soldier was the bad guy, reviled, (not the politicians who got us into the war). Which is a bit odd when you consider that many were drafted and had no choice. I think there has been a deliberate effort on the part of all Americans to not let that kind of attitude toward our service people happen again. So there is a deliberate attempt to reinforce that we respect what they are doing.

I think that is my sticking point with what you are saying. A thank you is trivial, perhaps, in the big picture. Agreed. But not trivial on the personal level. See the difference?

Thanks
Dirk

Veterans Day

Shrikant - I always respond to "comments" about my columns but frankly was hesitant to respond to your diatribe until I calmed down! Your comments, as offensive and ill-conceived as they are can be expressed because the brave men and women in our armed forces have fought over the years so that we have freedom of speech in our country! And thus you have a right to your opinion as myopic as it is because of our armed forces. I would hope that as you mature, you will gain a better understanding of the meaning of Veterans Day and that everyday is an opportunity to applaud and thank our troops for their dedication. Yes, in our country we have a right to express our opinion but you obviously chose the wrong topic and the wrong person to disclose your splinter group ideology to! And no thanks - I have no interest in what Professor Andrew Bacevich has to expound on. Other than that thanks for taking the time to read my column.

Thank You

As a veteran I can say that a heartfelt thank you whether currently serving or not means a lot. The thank you’s I have received whether in uniform, or years later, have all been heartfelt. So if you do feel so, please say so, it will lift the spirits of that person by letting them know that their service and the sacrifices they and their families have made are appreciated. Bill, your thank you is appreciated.

A Simple Thank You

Being a Veteran and a woman, I find that a simple thank you is very meaningful... and very much appreciated. Our fighting men and women deserve our utmost respect and understanding... I found the negative comments about this article not only a disgusting affront to all we truly stand for, but also a sad truth that we do not show our appreciation of these wonderful people enough and in truly meaningful ways. I for one would have been thrilled for an ordinary person to come up to me and say thankyou... but I truly think we as a nation should be doing more for the families of our military and for the individuals that are putting their lives on the line so we can speak freely, have the opportunities to find the happiness and freedoms we so often take for granted. God Bless each and every one of you...