Like you, Laarbruch 72, I am quite happy to pay my way. I do wish, however, that the military here were held in the same esteem as the US military are held in their country.
When I retired after 36 years service I was shocked to find the low regard the services were held in. I never tire of pointing out that the military is the last public service still functioning properly in our country but there are still far too many civilians who begrudge taxes spent on defence and who blame the military for involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In retrospect I was regarded more highly when I served in the USA.