This Labor Day, please don’t thank me for my service. Thank each other.

Frank T. Goertner

When I was eight years old, I wanted to be a pilot and see the world.  Or depending on the day, maybe I’d be a teacher or doctor or policeman or crane operator or musician or perhaps follow in the path of the happiest hardest working man I saw each morning — Mr. Elmer, my school custodian.  In the end, I joined the Navy to chase that first dream of flying.  Twenty-five years later, I’m a new vet.  And yes, I’m proud of my time in uniform.  For anyone who has cheered me on over the years, I’ll be forever grateful and happy to share my experiences.  But this week in particular, I’m requesting you NOT thank me for my service. Here’s why. 

American laborers, what I really want, and what I think we need, is for you to start thanking each other more for your service.  It was my honor to wear the cloth of our nation, but the teenaged ambition and wanderlust that drew me to it were nothing extraordinary.  Indeed, if that ever becomes the case, then I will fear deeply for our nation’s future. 

No, I like to think I’d be just as proud and patriotic today had I chosen any one of those dreams I had in second grade.  I know, as you remind me every time I try to demure your praise, that I have given more than some.  But I also know that it is far less than many others gave and are still giving — both in and out of uniform.  And the truth is that every set of military orders I accepted and every mission I accomplished was done for me as much as for you, for them, or for others. 

What’s more is that as I enjoyed my share of history, alongside friends and for an oath we all volunteered, so many of you were tending to the people, the institutions, the nation that we were serving to defend.  You were teaching our kids, nursing our parents, safeguarding our neighbors, building our homes, and enriching our communities.  Moreover, many of you did it for a fraction of the public adoration and compensation we enjoyed.  Yet each and every time we see you, it seems to be our service alone that has become your reflexive focus.        

I won’t pretend to speak for all vets, but today I confess to you that I’ve had enough. American laborers, I think it’s your turn. Thank you for YOUR service. More importantly, this Labor Day week, please thank each other.

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Photo:  MANHATTAN, N.Y. (May 23, 2018) Sailors and Marines salute while manning the rails of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Arlington (LPD 24) during the parade of ships marking the commencement Fleet Week New York (FWNY) 2018. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Guerra/Released)