Good point Open Eyes ... If someone must say something, they can just say "thanks for your service" ... That doesn't really appeal to me because i don't ever know how to respond, but at least it would make sense. "Welcome Home" is a gimmick ... a cheap gimmick used to make the person saying it feel better in some way.

And "thanks for your service" is pretty mushy, too. The people saying it don't have a clue what they are thanking me for. I've even had people follow up this remark with, "i'm sure glad I didn't have to go."

For me personally, I'd really rather they didn't say anything at all about my military service. Veterans Day is plenty, and I'd bet a lot of vets think the same way. Just leave me out of any "welcome home day" recognition and ceremonies, and please, please do not give Halmark 4 or 5 bucks for another gimmicky card.