I can speak for this one, and it does make a difference. Tell a member of the armed forces or a Veteran, thank you and just watch their face light up.

I'm so grateful for the troops but often feel awkward for telling them "Thank You" because I know I'll become a ball of tears. I'm sure that's the last thing troops want is a weeping female on their hands. I know they can handle terrorists but can they handle a woman who gets emotional about her country?

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I am sure soldiers have that covered to some degree. After all they do have smoke gernades and they could be useful to beat a hasty retreat when confronted with such a dangerous foe as a crying woman.. on the other hand dark chocolate works wonders for stoping some girls from crying and is much cheaper.

I did sound for a USO event this summer (which was tons of fun) along with my 9 year-old daughter. I was tearing down after the show when one of the soldiers came up to me to thank me for what I (and more importantly, the USO) did for him and his family. Although I did feel a bit awkward (seriously, a soldier thanking me for taking a few hours out of one day to do the same thing I usually do for work?), it was incredibly gratifying, especially to have my daughter witness it. I explained how much it meant to me, and I think she understood….well, as much as a child can. If someone like that can say thank you to me, then the least I (and all of us) can do is say thank you to other soldiers, even if it makes me feel a little awkward to do so to a stranger.

I personally find the Thank You for your service to be somewhat jarring and not the right thing to say. What would be better would be a personal chat, offer any small help that you can etc. Once when I was traveling I ran into a couple of sodiers in Japan at the airport looking confused. I helped them find the US Military desk at the airport and got them sorted out. A thank you from a stranger might be nice but has no meaning, help or even conversation mean a lot more. My own opinion.

It's great to do something to show your gratitude, but often it's not possible at a moment's notice. Saying "Thank you" is always possible. It's important to let our men and women know that we appreciate what they're doing for us–offering their lives for ours; a small thank you lets them know that they are not forgotten nor unloved.

As do I. On the occasion I'm hanging out with my military friend and his buddies, I buy them all a round at the bar. When I worked at a convenience store I once paid for a soldier's hot dogs after he presented his military ID for an alcohol purchase.

That's the least I can do, really.

I am not American and live in a beautiful city that attracts much convention business. One fall day, after finishing up at the office, I decided to treat myself to supper at a world famous festival market that attracts many tourists. While waiting to pay for food, a man and his wife stood in front of me browsing. The man, smaller than his wife, was in his seventies, maybe, in his early eighties. The couple, who were not paying particular attention to anything, stood in the line I was in. When he turned I saw his Tuskegee Air Men jacket with real patches and dates. Being a history buff, I put my hand on his shoulder and when he turned said, “I’d like to thank you, not just your war service, but for all you have done.” In a quiet way it was the warmest meeting between strangers I have ever experienced, and a memory I will treasure always. To this day, I still can’t believe that I touched history and bravery all at the same time. Memories fade and the Tuskegee Air Men are all for the most part dead, but their gift shines on.

Always always always. It may be considered kinda selfish, but I consider it my privilege to be honored with the chance to thank one of Our Brave Fighting Men & Women. Just a few months ago I discovered one of my neighbors was a Korean War vet. I immediately went to go knock on his door and thank him for his Service. He looked at me pretty funny(how does this young punk know about a war fought before he was born) then very humbly replied 'Well..uhh..that was a long time ago'. I told him that didn't matter. Thank you for your Service. We shook hands and he closed the door with a bemused almost dazed look on his face.

Our Warriors are Knights of the Round Table. They battle evil-doers and protect the weak(us, me especially) and the innocent(us, and me kinda). They are the rough men and women(See Lioness!) who stand ready to do violence on our behalf so that we may sleep peacefully. Have no doubts, they are the Forces of Good, Light and Life fighting against Evil, Darkness and Death. (Yea, so what if I'm an atheist, I still 'believe' in Evil)

So never ever ever let an opportunity pass by to thank one of these Brave Men and Women. It is not only a privilege and an honor to be able to do so, it is also your Duty.

Not mention unless you are female it is a little confusing to have a guy who looks like myself come up and start talking to them out of the blue, long hair, all in black and a leather jacket. lol

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