It really drives me bat shit crazy when someone says “Thank you for your service”. Really crazy, anybody thanks me for my service I have flags and aren’t afraid to use them. Part of the problem is I don’t know how to answer. I didn’t join the Air Force (tomorrow will be 38 years) for you so you’re welcome isn’t appropriate however polite. Fuck off seems a bit harsh. One memorable long escalator ride Sky Harbor terminal 4 I explained to a lady in no uncertain terms why she shouldn’t thank veterans out of some sense of shame and how before 9/11 I had never been thanked for my service. The lady hurried away as my wife calmly explained I had shown my ass and should probably rethink my response. The reason I’m taking a few minutes to write what one or two of you might read is that lately the gate guards at Hickam and Tripler have been thanking me for my service. At Hickam I usually say “No. Thank you”. At Tripler I’ve been saying “One team, one fight”. I’m working of that response but thankfully I don’t have to go to Tripler on a regular basis.
I’ve come up with a new answer when people off the street thank me for my service. Don’t vote Trump! I think that works. After the election I might change it to Don’t vote Republican. I think you could also use Don’t vote McCain in Az. Insert the republican candidate of your choice and all of a sudden you could have a national movement. I have to spend some time in Phoenix in July and I’m going to use Trump, McCain, and Arpaio (mostly McCain). Sometimes all three would be appropriate.
I think this could also be an effective web or even tv ad.
Title: How to thank a veteran!
Various veterans talking: You want to thank me for my service?
Collision dialogue: Don’t vote Trump!
