To Our Veterans

I asked my readers, "What would you say to a veteran today?" Even though Veterans Day has passed, I still want to post this in honor of those who have served the good ol' USA. Here is a sample of the responses I received:

Thank you for being willing to fight for our freedom! Your sacrifice means a lot. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

I would say Thankyou for our freedom I will never forget. Heather Swanson

Today, as every day, I tell them thank you. Viet Nam vets, I tell them they often didn't know how many of us Did support them. Pen pals, gift boxes, cards.  All were sent.

To our Marine Vets, they all get a Marine Mom hug. Yes, it's a real tradition. 

To all who served and do, we thank them.

I would say thank you for your service and for fighting for our right to be able to freely express ourselves.

To all Vietnam vets, heartfelt welcome home and thank you for your service and sacrifice.

I would say to a veteran, "Thank you for selflessly serving our country. You are an inspiration to me!"

If my Dad were still here, I’d tell him how much I appreciate and love him for serving in Korea in the Marine Corps. My oldest son, I’d tell thank you, he served in Bosnia in the Army. My youngest son I would thank for serving in the Air Force in Afghanistan, and currently is serving in the Navy in Hawaii. 

What I would say to a veteran today, and in fact do so every day, is "thank you for your service." Every time is see a veteran or a current soldier I thank them. Some of them want to stop and talk, and I gratefully listen to them. What still surprises me is that many of them seem totally surprised that a stranger is thanking them. That should not be so. I go out of my way to thank each and every one and if I can help them in any way, I do so, whether it is paying for their meal or giving them a ride or whatever. Each and every American should do so and should go out of their way to thank a veteran or serviceman or woman.  And I might add, if anyone knows of a family of someone who is serving - reach out to them as well. The family is in service to our country too.

I would thank a veteran for his/her service and ask God to bless them.

Of course, “Thank you for your service” says it all, but I’m never uncomfortable hugging a vet or squeezing their arm!

Thank you for caring enough about this country to fight for it!

I would say thank you for your service. I know you sacrificed a lot to serve.

What I would say to my Veteran:

Happy Veterans' Day.  Thank you, my dear husband, for everything you did for our country.  I know you had no idea what you would face when you signed up, but God brought you through it.    He knows every moment you faced because He was there too.  I am so thankful that He protected you and for every moment we have had together.  I love you for always. 

May I never forget that freedom is not free. Thank you for your service

I have said this to my husband a Navy veteran, you were going towards war when I did not even know what war was.  Thank you to all our veterans 

I'd say what I always say. Thank you for your service.   At 81, I've known a lot of veterans, some of which were honored on their return, some which weren't.  That breaks my heart. I also try to thank their spouses for also serving, as backup, support, help. 

Good morning, I would Thank the Veteran for their Service and Thank them for Protecting our Country and I would say God Bless you and your Family. 

  I would say to a vet, “I salute you, and thank God for saving your life….my uncle was killed 2 weeks before WWII ended. Thank you for your sacrificial service for our country.”

I would love to tell the veterans and current people that are serving A BIG THANK YOU!!

I would say--thank you, both to those who have already served (including myself, my husband, my brother, my uncles and cousins, my grandson-in-law and ancestors going back to the Revolutionary War) and those who have currently joined 'the club'.  Some of us were 'support' (nurses, etc.), some saw combat, some survived and some didn't, others were in during  so-called periods of peace, but we all saw it as a way to pay back and serve our country.

My words to our veterans - Many people have given their hearts, and their lives, for a belief in peace in their own little corner of the world as well as the entirety of the world.  Praise and goodwill should be voiced by many of us who decided not to participate in the battle, or were unable to do so.  There are the strong people and those who lean on them.  Our GOD will be with you as you go to battle, providing you ask HIM into your heart and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.  Our battles are God's battles. Thank you to all who have fought for freedom, for one and all.  GOD bless you today and every day. 

I would say, "I appreciate all of the sacrifices that you have made/do to protect us. Thank you for your service.".

What would I say to a veteran? 

 I would say that I do my best to honor their sacrifice to protect my freedom. 

I would say something like this,

I want you to know that your service to our country inspires me to remember, that whether you fought in a war or were one who was prepared to dive in and do whatever was called upon  from you, that I am indebted to you and I appreciate you.

Thank you for your service, and may God bless you and your family. May I buy your lunch today? Do you need anything? Thank you, again, for your service. And thank your family, too. They also made a sacrifice for our country.

To a veteran today, I would say, "Thank you so much for your service and the sacrifices you made to protect our country. May God bless you and your family." Feel free to use if you would like. Still praying for you and your son, and please tell him thank you for his service. 

To all veterans I sat Thank you for your service and may God bless you abundantly for your service. My husband was a veteran 

Thank you for your service! 

I would tell a Veteran Thank You for Your Services

My father was a veteran, and if he were still with us I would tell him I love him and thank him for serving our country. 

When my Daddy died in June, he was the oldest living veteran in our county.  On his 100th birthday, he was escorted to his party at church by a procession of the armed services, police, firemen, etc.  It was a great occasion.  We did not grow up knowing he was in the Navy.  In fact, most people did not know.   He didn't think it was anything to be proud of; maybe because he was drafted at age 18, and had never been out of his county.  I can not imagine what he went through.  His Dad needed him on the farm since he was the oldest. Dad was trained as a telegrapher.  (not in combat)  He was only enlisted for 2 years, so he returned to his farm and later married Mom.  When he told us of his experiences, we were so proud of him.  He had his paperwork, Navy hats, and several other items to show us.  I always let him know how proud I was of him!  I tell every Veteran that I'm proud of their service and God Bless America.  

Today is my 1st Veteran's Day without my Dad.  We had a senior's meeting at church this morning and I was able to tell the men there these same words.  GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!

Thank you for your sacrfice!

Thank you for your service!

Thank you for your service. I have veterans in my family from the Army and the Navy, so it is something that I think about. My grandson is in the Navy now.

Today I would say to a veteran: Thank you for your service to our country!

Thank you   my brother served all through WWIIm my husband served in AF or 21 yrs. One son in AF  one in Marines. Nephew that retired from the army   to these and all other Bless you and may our country be saved

What I’d say to a veteran: thank you for your sacrifice.  My husband, two brothers and other relatives are veterans.

My family has a long history in the military, and I always thank a service member for their service. They leave behind family and friends for boot camp and for their assignments. They're put with others they do not know, but need to be able to trust their lives with...not many people want to do that. 

For the contest...my husband is a veteran.  I would thank them for giving their all to protect our country or to fight/protect in another country.  I know one young man who has to leave his family for three months at a time to serve in another country, and he cannot let his family know exactly where he is.  That is sacrifice!

I would say, Thank you for your service

To a veteran, which 2 of my sons are, I would say thank you for all you did, all you sacrificed and know there are many people who pray for you everyday. 

Thank you for serving our country so that we may live free.

I would say Thank you for your service to our country!

There’s not much else to say except Thank You I am so grateful for what you’ve done in protecting our country.  I am a Vietnam Air Force veteran. My husband and 2 of our sons are veterans and I appreciate every one who says thank you for your service 

I would tell my brothers, who were both Marines, my Dad who was a Medic in the Army, and I did tell a fella today at TX Roadhouse, Thank you for your service and giving us freedom of this country we live in, whether you fought on the battlefield, had an office job, or marched for the big wigs, you all played a part in keeping us free!

I would thank them for their service as well as tell them to thank their family for their sacrifice as well. 

To the Vietnam veterans:  I know some of you didn't want to go but went anyway when your country called. Thank you for serving. Thank you for setting the example of submitting to authority even when you disagree but still serving well.

A simple thank you.

Words can’t express how grateful I am to you! Thank you!

I would thank him for his/her service and also thank him for his families service.

Thank you!  For they bravery, dedication strength and  in believing in America.  There are truly hero's and deserve our respect for all there sacrifice.

You're an amazing person. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'll keep you in my prayers.

And so many more! Thank you, veterans!