DY- I know that’s what he was doing at first. But then people were talking about appreciating soldiers and he just seemed to be egging them on.
Or, I can reinterpret his firefighter comment- “Of course I appreciate soldiers. Just like I appreciate firefighters for putting their lives on the line to save people. Just like you would be insulted if I implied you don’t feel hakaras hatov to firefighters, I am insulted that you imply that I don’t feel hakaras hatov to soldiers.”