Every time someone thanks me for my military service, I first tell them they should spit in my face for supporting a government that is so blatantly against freedom and democracy, both at home and abroad. I then ask them do they know and have contacted their national, state, county, or local elected officials to voice concerns or opinions on current topics in the community. If they haven't, they obviously don't value my sacrifice, since voting in a popularity contest once every two years, then sitting on your ass for someone else to think for you isn't what democracy is about.