The thanks for your service slogan is now being used in banking and retail settings. People are trained to repeat this phrase on the job.

Filling out some sort of application online may generate the phrase.

 

Nov 09, 2017 Psychology Today

Should You Say “Thank You for Your Service”?

“Acknowledge Veterans for their service by saying a simple: “Thank you for your service.” Whether that’s on Facebook, a text message, a phone call, a letter, or an in-person greeting, a basic acknowledgment can go a long way.”

My take:

I respond in an outwardly pleasant way when I am presented with this phrase.

I would much rather that people reach for an honest understanding of US foreign policy, and skip the phrase. To me, the phrase is a reminder, that as a culture, we do not question undeclared/unwon wars that never end.

When do we get to vote on all this? The Psychology Today article avoids these questions and doesn’t show any hint of an Armistice Day vibe.

 

The Armed Forces are overemphasized in American culture.

Each November, school teachers across America host Veterans Day assemblies– and promote the idea that The Troops are in distant lands-fighting for American rights and freedoms.

Growing up in the 60s & 70s-veterans were all around-church, school, Boy Scout leaders, family, the neighborhood, etc. It was all just an average thing. These folks weren’t seen as a separate part of American society.

People weren’t stepping over to say “Thanks for your service” to my Dad-who did time in the Navy in the 50s-but looked just like anyone else out in public.

These guys weren’t lining up for free dinner promotions marketed by major restaurant chains, discounts, head of the line privileges at the airport, etc.

New traditions

Both major parties take turns in the White House. When it’s their turn to stage a State of the Union address, both parties will have veterans as guests at SOTU events. When did this tradition begin? Were WWII veterans invited as special guests to SOTU events in the 60s and 70s?

In the 60s and 70s, were WWII veterans invited to be honored at pregame ceremonies out at the ball park?

These days, WWII veterans are sought out to be guests of honor at ball games, parades, etc.

Some of these events seem to go off pretty well. In some cases, rather than honoring veterans, it looks like these guys are being used for marketing and promotional events, staged to benefit something other than veterans.

0:12 the man is barely conscious when greeted by team owner Jerry Jones:

Love to see the press get out & away from the special occasions and marketing events to interview WWII veterans on what they think of undeclared/unwon wars that never end.

The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.

 

Militarized parking lots are another new tradition.

This may all be some sort of post-Vietnam guilt at work. The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards shutting down failed wars that never end.

Sort of looks like dividing people up into groups. No such thing related to veterans and special parking spots when I was a kid.

Back in those days, there were probably enough veterans around to remove most of the mystique, or maybe those veterans thought it was all just an average thing and did not want to be seen as a separate part of American society, or get head of the line parking spots over at the grocery store.

Now this:

January 05, 2020 WDTV 5 News

New reserved parking spots for veterans

“The parking spaces are being called, “superhero parking” and are reserved for veterans, active duty members, and
first respondents.”

“Mall management was unable to give any comment as to why this new trend has begun.”

Well, thanks mall management. Your business and marketing efforts attract the attention of the local news media. It’s your chance to deliver a statement that would create a free advertisement for your retail location. You are caught completely off guard. You have nothing to say.

 

We’re back into a major election season.

The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.

It will take more than a thanks for your service for things to change.

Related:

A Formal Congressional Declaration of War

Unsustainable Military Spending

Port Townsend and the Sound of Freedom

What Stays The Same

Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?

Freedom Comes And Goes – Joint Chiefs of Staff Play No Part

Liberty And Justice For All?

Various states have recently sent National Guard troops to distant lands. Each one claims that military operations overseas are somehow linked to American rights and freedoms:

How did Rhode Island freedoms get over to the Middle East?

Maryland Freedoms Found In The Middle East?

West Virginia Freedom Found In The Middle East?

How did our freedom and liberties get over to Kosovo?

 

How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?

Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.

 

 

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Photo- Nordland Transit Center