Thank You For Your Service

“Thank you for your service!”

On many occasions I’ve been offered this dollop of gratitude when someone learns that I served in the U.S. Army as an officer during the war on Vietnam. My “service” was without real distinction, although I earned my commission through a grueling year of basic training, Advanced Individual Training in the Infantry arts, and 6 months of Officer Candidate School (OCS). 

I did not volunteer for any of it, except OCS, because I thought being an officer justified the extra year I signed up for. 

Because I was (and am) anti-war, I used to decline the gestures of gratitude, not wishing to further the knee-jerk, mindless patriotism implicit in “Thank you for your service.” More recently I smile and say, “Thank you.” 

My shift is not because I’ve grown more enthusiastic about violence or think, “By god, I deserve it. I gave up three years of my life.” The shift is because my perspective on both service and the thanks for it have evolved.

As to service, the vast majority of women and men who serve in the military or a branch of first responding do so for salutary reasons. I am confident that very few sign up because they have a strong desire to kill anyone. They may have a romanticized view of valor and heroism or enlist because it is the best life option they see. Military service offers a life of purpose, constantly reinforced by civic and political rhetoric about keeping us safe. 

If each member of the military forces was, in fact, keeping us safe, thanks are very much deserved. Although the military adventures of the last 80 years have not, by and large, kept anyone safe, the intent has merit.

It is the decisions made by politicians that give lie to the mythology of selfless service in defense of the rest of us. In Vietnam and nearly every subsequent military excursion, sincere women and men were sacrificed to the poor or malicious choices made by political leaders, most of whom have never worn a uniform. Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan . . . wars built on misinformation and misjudgment, placed honorable women and men in dishonorable circumstances.

The extent to which our bloated military is a deterrent is unknowable. I know that peace on Earth does not flow from threats of violence, so our aggressive posture seems escalatory, not conciliatory. But these ethical and philosophical considerations are not front of mind for America’s young recruits, nor should they be. 

When passersby say, “Thanks for your service” to a person in uniform, I believe they are recognizing the choice made to offer oneself, not the manipulation of that choice by others. Especially in those cases where a high price was paid, it is unfair - cruel - to withdraw gratitude and empathy just because the “cause” for which they sacrificed was corrupt. 

A disabled veteran of the immoral and dishonest war in Vietnam deserves no less gratitude than the disabled veteran of WWII, who served a more necessary cause.

The saying, often attributed to St.Augustine, “Hate the sin and love the sinner,” has an applicable paraphrase: “Hate the war, and honor the warrior.”

Which brings me to current relevance.

Right now, Pew Research reports that voters who served in the active military or reserves prefer Trump to Harris by a margin of 61% - 37%.

This lopsided support for a man who faked a medical disability to avoid service - like mine.

This lopsided support for a man who has called dead soldiers “suckers and losers.”

This lopsided support from a man who insulted Gold Star families.

This lopsided support for a man who denigrated John McCain for being a prisoner of war.

This lopsided support for a man called a fascist by the Generals closest to him.

This lopsided support for a convicted felon who has stolen classified documents and carelessly shared top secret information with our geopolitical rivals.

Many - most -Republicans claim the mantle of patriotism. They salute the flag, They pledge allegiance and ask God to bless America. They paste “Support Our Troops” stickers on bumpers.

I don’t share their exuberant and demonstrative version of patriotism or their religion. (I love the irony of their bitching about virtue signaling!) But I can and have found common ground with them. Not if they support Donald Trump.

I have challenged the more conservative candidates for election in Erie to disavow Trump. None has done so. They are evidently afraid to alienate the MAGA base. 

They are Andrew Moore, Andrew Sawusch Travis Pinz, John Mortellaro, Brian O’Conner, Brandon Bell and Dan Maloit.

If they will not disavow Trump they don’t deserve your vote. They don’t deserve anyone’s vote.

And don’t thank me for my service. I’ve learned to graciously accept “thanks” even though I don’t particularly care. 

But any person who supports Trump does not have the moral standing to thank any American for their service.