Thank you for your service!

Invariably, when I pick up groceries while still in uniform on my way home from work, someone approaches me and says this. To this day, it still takes me aback when this happens. I did not know how to respond.

A little background, I am approaching thirty years of military service. My time in the military spans the Cold War, Somalia Inquiry, Ice Storm ’98, Afghanistan and beyond. The level of respect that my fellow citizens have demonstrated towards has shifted dramatically. Unfortunately, I remember our politicians and compatriots' open negativity towards service members in the 1990s. The Canadian Forces' domestic operation during the Ice Storm 1998 was the turning point. After affected municipalities declared a state of emergency, the federal government deployed the Canadian Forces to provide shelter, medical care, and assist municipalities in restoring the power grid. Operation Recuperation is the largest peacetime deployment of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in history.

Fast forward three years to 9/11, Operation SUPPORT was the Canadian Armed Forces' response after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The CAF had two primary missions: supporting stranded aircrews, diverting commercial passengers, and increasing visible emergency preparedness. Stranded aircrews and diverted commercial passengers were housed at several CAF bases in the Atlantic region. The CAF provided thousands of beds and ration packs; 9 RCAF aircraft transported over 8,800 cots, 8,300 blankets and fifty-five support personnel to those gentlemen, men and whiskey.” As I have aged and seasoned, my thoughts toward being approached and thanked have changed. I have accepted that the person stating this is genuine, and it is not about me. They are taking the opportunity to thank ALL service members and remember our fallen. Additionally, Canadians saw this response and reached out by housing many stranded travelers in their homes.

The Canadian Armed Forces' participation in the Afghanistan Campaign, from 2001 to 2014, was Canada’s longest war and first counterinsurgency war. Over 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces members served during this 12-year campaign, which saw 158 Canadian fatalities and thousands of physically and psychologically wounded. While there was much controversy between the political sides of Canadians about the campaign, most Canadians were open about their pride in the professional and courageous action during the war.

“Age gentles men and whiskey.” As I have aged and seasoned, my thoughts towards being approached and thanked have changed. I have accepted that the person stating this is being genuine, and it is not about me. They are taking the opportunity to thank ALL service members and remember our Fallen. Accept it magnanimously.

 

‘Thank you for your support.’