Having served 4 years of active service as a combat medic with 1st Battallion 503rd Infantry Regiment 173rd Airborne Brigade. Serving 8 months in Afghanistan, where 2 of my platoon mates were killed, and I was injured receiving the Purple Heart, I come from a place of understanding of what you are talking about. I think you go about it very nicely. To all those out there reading this there is nothing wrong with thanking someone for their service, but if you are going to do some, try and make it mean something more than a stock phrase like @prufarchy. I personally am very humbled when people say that to me, as I know many of the men that cam before me during a Vietnam did not have such a welcoming homecoming. Now I work in an emergency department and see many of these men who struggle and it breaks my heart to see that. So please, don't feel bad if you thank someone for their service, but if you are truly thankful try and build a conversation with them, just as you would with anyone. If it is a friend or aquaintence ask them what their service was like and see how they respond. Thank you @prufarchy for the great post👍