Dear Readers: I was so touched by all of the feedback from military families. Thank you for your service, and thank you for sharing some of the responses that you have felt most comfortable with. Below are some examples.
Dear Annie: I absolutely loved your response to “Wondering Vet.” As a former military member myself, I also found it challenging to respond when people thanked me for my service. Eventually, I settled on saying, “Thank you, it was an honor and a privilege to serve,” and now it feels so natural and comfortable to reply this way.
—Navy Vet
Dear Navy Vet: Thank you for sharing your approach. It’s wonderful to hear that you found a response that feels both natural and sincere to you. It’s important for veterans to feel comfortable and valued when acknowledging their service.
Dear Annie: Thank you for addressing this topic. As a veteran, I also used to wonder how to respond when thanked for my service, especially when I was traveling in uniform or pressed for time. I eventually found a simple, effective reply: “Thank you for your support.”
—A Veteran
Dear Veteran: I appreciate you sharing your experience. A concise and heartfelt response like “Thank you for your support” can be both effective and meaningful, especially in situations where time is limited.
Dear Annie: The best response I ever received when thanking someone for their service was: “Thank you, you were worth it.” It was such a powerful and touching response. Whenever I meet a Vietnam veteran, I always thank them for their service and say, “Welcome home.”
—USN Veteran
Dear USN Veteran: That is indeed a powerful response. The phrase “you were worth it” conveys deep gratitude and recognition of the value of their service. Also, welcoming Vietnam veterans home is a beautiful and necessary gesture.
Dear Annie: I loved your response to the veteran who struggled with how to reply when thanked for their service. I spent years trying to figure this out, too. Eventually, I started saying, “Thank you for your taxes that allowed me to serve.” It began as a lighthearted comment but gradually became sincere. Without the support from those at home, our service wouldn’t have been possible.
—A Grateful Veteran
Dear Grateful Veteran: Your response is both humorous and heartfelt, acknowledging the contributions of civilians in a unique way. It’s a reminder that military service is interconnected with the support from the entire nation.
Dear Annie: I’ve been retired from the Navy Seabees for 24 years now, and like many others, I also struggled with how to respond when thanked for my service. About 18 years ago, one of my brothers (who also served in the Navy) shared a response he had heard from a Marine: “It was an honor to serve you.” That simple phrase captured everything I wanted to express, and I’ve been using it ever since. The heartfelt reactions I receive when I say this are priceless.
—Vet
Dear Vet: “It was an honor to serve you” is a beautifully succinct and deeply respectful response. It personalizes the service and highlights the dedication of those who have served.
Dear Annie: My husband, a veteran, used to feel awkward when responding to “Thank you for your service.” But a few years ago, we learned that some veterans respond with “I appreciate it.” He adopted that phrase, and it has made all the difference.
—A Veteran’s Wife
Dear Veteran’s Wife: “I appreciate it” is a simple and effective response that conveys gratitude without being overly elaborate. It’s great to hear that this phrase has made your husband more comfortable.
Dear Annie: As someone who has worked at a VA hospital for many years, I often say, “Thank you for your service” to the veterans I meet. While some reply with a simple “You’re welcome” or say they were just doing their job, the best response I’ve ever heard was, “You were worth it.” It struck me deeply and served as a powerful reminder of the sacrifice our military personnel make for people they don’t even know.
—A Grateful VA Worker
Dear Grateful VA Worker: It’s touching to hear about the impact of the response “You were worth it.” This phrase underscores the profound appreciation for the sacrifices made by military personnel and serves as a heartfelt acknowledgment of their service.
Dear Annie: I also struggled with this for a long time, especially as a Vietnam veteran who didn’t receive thanks after the war. It was hard to respond when people began thanking me years later. But when I reflected on why I enlisted in the first place, I realized it was all about honor. Now, when someone thanks me, I simply reply, “It truly was my honor. Thank you.”
—A Vietnam Veteran
Dear Vietnam Veteran: Your response is a powerful reminder of the honor and dedication that comes with military service. It’s a fitting and dignified way to acknowledge the gratitude of others while also expressing your own sense of pride and purpose.
“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.
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