when I talk to strangers and let slip that I served in the us military, so many say "thank you for your service". at which point I tell them it is more insulting to me than appreciated. when I got out in '85, I got nothing for having spent four years in the service. there were no benefits to having spent four years in the military as opposed to having gone to college and partied with frat brothers. there were no jobs reserved for people like me. there were no prior service people in senior positions looking out for recently discharged battle buddies and shipmates like there is for the old boy college frat boys. and that is mild compared to how vietnam vets were treated. now look how desert shield and iraqi freedom vets are treated. do these people that never served think a simple "thank you for your service" actually makes up for the poor treatment so many vets are getting?

thanks for listening to my rant even though I might not be able to convey the true feeling behind what I am trying to express. you really want to thank a vet? treat the less fortunate ones with a little bit more dignity.