MOTOR31
New member
Navy dad, Stop for a moment here. There is no reason for you to apologise for starting the thread nor for the sentiment you expressed. It was not and is not "controversial".
I respect and accept Tom's opinion regarding the terms service and military service. He has that option to have that opinion because of his service and I will not deride him for it, because of his service to the country. He earned it including the right to decline the thanks of his peers and society. On the other hand do not take his refusal to include the wishes of the rest of his Brothers and Sisters in Arms. It is an individual thing.
The term "service" has been in use and in correct form, IMO, as related to time spent in the Military, placing one's self in harms way for the benefit of the country, population or our society if you will, from before WW1.
I do not equate the concept of working on some one's vehicle to the same level of commitment of a service member in the Armed Forces. While the term can be loosely applied to both situations the connotation for many of us, again IMO, is far different unless you decide to accede to the PC position. The English language has many words that can have multiple meanings depending on the connotation of their use. It does not make the term incorrect by itself.
I started my Military career, such as it was, in the early 70s. I did so for my own reasons and do not regret that choice. I watched and also experienced a bit of the disdain some of the "enlightened" folks of the time had for those of us who either by choice or circumstances were placed in the service. My time spanned that era into the beginning of society's recognition of what the folks in the Military were doing and sacrificing in order to serve. It really did follow along with Kipling's poem describing society and "Tommy".
My sig line sums up my feelings regarding Service in the Military and also for those who place themselves in harms way for strangers in the first responder role. While my own personal contributions may not merit the thanks of the those who did not serve I will gladly receive them in honor of those who's actions did deserve them and never got them. I didn't earn them, they did.
In short, please do not allow yourself to feel bad because one of us doesn't want the recognition. There are always others who did earn it and never got it and who would be grateful for it. Pass it on to them.
I respect and accept Tom's opinion regarding the terms service and military service. He has that option to have that opinion because of his service and I will not deride him for it, because of his service to the country. He earned it including the right to decline the thanks of his peers and society. On the other hand do not take his refusal to include the wishes of the rest of his Brothers and Sisters in Arms. It is an individual thing.
The term "service" has been in use and in correct form, IMO, as related to time spent in the Military, placing one's self in harms way for the benefit of the country, population or our society if you will, from before WW1.
I do not equate the concept of working on some one's vehicle to the same level of commitment of a service member in the Armed Forces. While the term can be loosely applied to both situations the connotation for many of us, again IMO, is far different unless you decide to accede to the PC position. The English language has many words that can have multiple meanings depending on the connotation of their use. It does not make the term incorrect by itself.
I started my Military career, such as it was, in the early 70s. I did so for my own reasons and do not regret that choice. I watched and also experienced a bit of the disdain some of the "enlightened" folks of the time had for those of us who either by choice or circumstances were placed in the service. My time spanned that era into the beginning of society's recognition of what the folks in the Military were doing and sacrificing in order to serve. It really did follow along with Kipling's poem describing society and "Tommy".
My sig line sums up my feelings regarding Service in the Military and also for those who place themselves in harms way for strangers in the first responder role. While my own personal contributions may not merit the thanks of the those who did not serve I will gladly receive them in honor of those who's actions did deserve them and never got them. I didn't earn them, they did.
In short, please do not allow yourself to feel bad because one of us doesn't want the recognition. There are always others who did earn it and never got it and who would be grateful for it. Pass it on to them.