For my part, I don't like that CO does this. Not because I am particularly for/against military personnel from the U.S. or elsewhere, but because I think it's annoying. I think that there are ample opportunities and ways to support troops, their families, or any other worthy cause if individuals and companies have such compassion and/or patriotism. By all means - CO can start a program where all military or cops or doctors or whoever get X free drinks if they print a voucher or show their ID (or how about a non-booze gift that the troops under 21 or who are non-drinkers can enjoy as well?). I just don't want to have the announcements go on for minutes longer with a pause for jingoistic applause. In the same breath, I do a fair amount of international non-profit work, but don't want to hear about ABC cause while taxiing or free extra bbq turkey rolls for XYZ group in the air just because a CO employee feels empowered to say/do whatever.

Please just give me a quiet travel experience without injecting politics or nationalism into any of it.

I think the more appropriate thing would be for CO to instead do more to support the USOs in their hubs or donate to the Special Ops Warrior Foundation or the 100s of other groups out there rather than foist politics, nationalism, etc upon travelers. It would also be money better spent on actually supporting troops and their families than handing out booze. Just my $0.02.

peace,
~Ben~