But how? How is anyone's display of patriotism affecting you or your service? That's like suggesting that anyone with a disagreement on any US policy is a fuck you to the people you care about? How does anyone's opinion about the flag, or a jingle about the US, affect either your actions in the military or your opinion about this nation at all? If they did, by god we'd be chasing their meaning forever. Would our service have been weakened when Trump dodged the draft, or when Clinton did? Would our honor be stained every time some limp-wristed cunt burned the flag, or some donkey-fucking muj chanted for our nation's death? Is our service elevated anytime someone flies the flag on their porch, or a country singer drops a shitty single?
I've never been moved by comments such as "thank your for your service," beyond acknowledging a compliment, because my service, such as it was, would have happened regardless of the approval of any other american. I served because I wanted to. How I care about that service, or the people I served with, are not affected in any way by the words or actions of others.
I believe the value of our service stands on it's own, in the heart of that one man. If it was dependent on the approval of others, then it's value was next to nothing.