I wouldn't say Finland is that far from that. I guess we feel a bit more... pressure... from certain direction, more than a country (NL) which is in the heart of Europe, far from any dangers.

After all, Sweden always sees us a buffer region against any aggressions. It was already that way back when we were part of Sweden.

Why not, it's 2017 not the 1800s, although I suppose riding America's coat tails into Iraq and Afganistan is imperialistic, 2 wars I was utterly against. I don't knock on my neighbour who's in the army and thank him for defending me. That'd be utterly bizzare.

*looks at the canned low-everything soup next to me*

Aye... *sigh*

This thread isn't for me but what the hell.

I served in the USAF and currently serve in the Air Guard. (Soon to be retired!)

Deployed multiple times overseas but I'm COMM so never fought in any wars although I have been in them. I just support those that do.

Usually when I'm in town I'm thanked for service and sometimes even bought a free meal depending on where I go.

None of us really like to be thanked for our service since to us it's our job and it's what we do to get paid, although just like anything I'm sure there are some people that get a kick out of it. I'm sure some people like to be appreciated for their job, me I just want money, time off and the resources to do my job....but those are hard, thanking someone is easy.

We also sometimes get our meals paid for by a random customer depending on where we go so that's nice, also veteran's day!

As a nation I don't think any of us with the minimal information we receive and brainwashed by the media can really make proper decisions. We can only make decisions on what little information we have which is mostly why things are so screwed up. :(

As a Brit who's spent a fair amount of time in the US, I think I can safely say we're nowhere near as proud of our armed forces as you chaps are.

Saying that, in recent years there's been a big resurgence in support for our warriors (as evidenced by the popularity of the Help for Heroes charity), even though the last couple of campaigns they fought (in Afghanistan and Iraq) weren't well supported by the public.

Don't fight your kinks, embrace them!

I've only been personally thanked a few times, since I never wore the uniform in public outside of a built-up military area. Okay, I guess a few times back in the 80s / 90s, when traveling on orders.

Getting the thanks, it makes me a bit uncomfortable. Like you, I served during wars but didn't actually participate. For one, the tip of the spear is pretty small and it's a low percentage of people doing the direct fighting and in-theater support. Second, these were conflicts where the regular Navy didn't have much direct action.

For me personally, I got a lot out of the experience as it led me to straightening up my act (mostly after I got out, to be honest), met my wife, and got edjumicated and experience-ified. The people put a lot of resources into giving me the head start that led to me being where I am today. That stuff isn't cheap, and I thank the people for helping me along.

Now, if people really want to give thanks for service, then I would ask that they do what they can to help veterans in need. There are a whole lot of vets out there, men and women both, who DID put their butts on the line - many not voluntarily - and have suffered consequences as a result. They did what the nation asked, and in many ways we have failed to take care of their needs that come as a direct result of their service.

Nope, we Europeans are rational people, so we only show our homages to football players and football teams.

I live near army base and most of soldiers are rude towards civilians.
My school was inside their base and I had to take 4 KM long route to go there because they never allowed me to go through the gate which was on route less than 500m (I could literally see my school from the bridge).

We do that to, even when they are in handcuffs.

How dare you not include Deli (spicy) Mustard. Can't understand why folks like that yellow watery crud....

Watched a mother with 3 kids stop a serviceman at the mall awhile back to sing his praises and show her kids what's important. The guy begged off after about 30 seconds of her one sided praise because he was trying to get to the bathroom....

I think it's a US thing but during my limited time in England, I watched folks buy the retired servicemen a cup of tea or a beer. They just didn't make a big thing about it.

It's not the same because service isn't mandatory, only enlistment, even factoring out medical conditions only a very small minority are ever called to serve. The only reason both my father and grandfather happened to serve was because of the time period they were in.

People tell me I oppose the draft because I'm scared of being drafted.

I'm 5'8", 130 pounds, near sided, I have a hole in my heart, and I've had cancer. Yeah, I'm not afraid of being drafted. :P

I wouldn't pass the physical for the Salvation Army.

I got a recognition of my conscious objections to learning to kill someone though I never did find a place as replacement service and anyway the mandatory service was close to being cancelled when I was eligible for conscription.

If I would have gotten into army, I probably would have broken down in the first week, maybe the second, but no longer. I don't think it's a healthy place for highly sensitive people with autism or other psychiatric vulnerabilities. But I didn't know my vulnerability yet when I was about to be conscripted.

That's why the comment about the Korean army (which Korea?) surprised me: what if the disabilities are mental, do you need to serve anyway? I don't think a soldier would be much good if he gets into mental breakdown, depression, catatonia, psychosis or whatever way a vulnerable psyche would react to being bullied by a sergeant, let alone the sound of guns firing on the practice range and the possibility of the stresses of actual combat to top it off.

I'd end up crying, shaking, angry, upset or very scared very soon by bullying sergeants, not having a place for your self to come to rest, over-exertion and the loud bangs of guns firing on a practice range.