You can always spot these vets at airports. They are the ones who aren't rushing to the gate for pre-boarding. I knew one at school (2006) who really hated be

You can always spot these vets at airports. They are the ones who aren't rushing to the gate for pre-boarding. I knew one at school (2006) who really hated being thanked because he really didn't feel he was doing anything for his country. He had a sick kid. His only reason for serving in the army was his daughter's medical care. He saw the thanks, more specifically accepting the thanks, as a sort of lie. For him it was a job, a very good job. He openly admitted to being a mercenary. I think that actually protected him from some of doublethink: he was under no illusions about why he was fighting. I also met a Vietnam vet once who stayed away from any vet activities. He wasn't damaged. As a pilot he enjoyed the war and hated how everyone made assumptions about his experiences. He hadn't been shot down, or even shot at. Accepting the empty "thanks" felt like validating misconceptions.