Also, Hakatan, don’t tell me that it’s the A”Z of Zionism which causes me to adore the IDF, because 1) I don’t like Zionism; I think that it does involve A”Z and kefirah 2) I don’t adore the IDF, there’s plenty wrong with it, and I would never want a son of mine to be there, and don’t get me started on girls in the army, r”l.
None of that changes the chiyuv of hakaras hatov to the soldiers who do save lives.