Yep...they deserve it.

I don't attend parades and in general i don't thank soldiers when i see them. I also don't thank doctors, nurses, volunteers, teachers, firefighters, police and rescue service personel when i see them.

well i don't go to parades but when i see a soldier i usually smile at them and nod

I do. In one of our last parades, they ended it with what seemed like an endless line of soldiers marching down the street. Everyone stood and clapped and yelled cheers for them. It was moving to me. Almost brought me to tears.

Yes, I do. I also salute them in forums in cyberspace, when I come upon one of them.

If soldiers volunteered for what they do in order to defend our country for life and liberty, I might make an extra effort. But I come from a long line of military men, employ a few and know that 99% of guys in the military do not do what they do for any other reason than they had little other choice. They had bad grades, no aspects for a career and it paid to go into the military and get some kind of training. These guys I know they hate the military for the most part when they are in, most of the time it is boring and routine, they finish up and then get out and talk like they were a one man war machine....Do I appreciate what they do? Sure, because they do it I don't have to, but as someone mentioned in their answer, I don't thank police, firemen, doctors or any of the other professionals out there that provide services that allow us to have the luxeries we enjoy. There's statistically plenty more dangerous jobs out there than being a soldier, but we seem to always place these guys on pedastals for some reason. Bottom line, they choose to enlist, they get paid to do it, why should I show them any more gratitude than the guy who keeps my electricity on? Beleieve me, without electricity, america would fall apart faster than it would without an army.

No for the same reasons stated above by others, I do how ever acknowledge their presence when I see them with a look and a nod ... ~Nemo~

Yes. They are sacrificing for me even though I am unwilling to do the same back.

lol thanks to every one who said yes or they nod. i'm in the military and it makes may day when some one tells you how they how appreciate the choice I have made by being a soldier. It funny how may people protest against choices we made. One of my husband friends died in combat and at his funeral there were protesters. It just made it feel like a slap in the face. But to answer the questions now I don’t thank every soldier I see. Or I would be going around the offices every day saying thank you for your service. I do see them off and go to see them when deploying or returning home. I do thank Vets and old times, like Vietnam Vets. If I where my uniform to the store they stop and talk to me or tell stories and I always listen. And thanks to all of you who support the troops. We need that and to know you care!!!!

I have tried to respond twice and this thing stops me. I will try again. Thank you Armygirl. I appreciate all of you who, like my son, have given their time and some even their lives for our Nation.

i personally love soldiers and thank them whenever i get a chance :]]

I haven't seen a soldier before. If it's a regular war, I'll treat them regularly. If they came back from a torturous war ALIVE because of a CONSCRIPTION then go in a parade, people shouldn't just clap, they should cheer their hearts out. A simple clap just isn't enough for someone who sacrifices their life for the country, so cheering is appropriate. If it's that they come back dead and a funeral, I think people should remain completely silent and solemn when the soldier comes down the road to mourn and show respect.