diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a1742db0065..ddc029c38eb 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ Due to their public nature, GitHub and mailing lists are NOT appropriate places
 
 ## etcd Emeritus Maintainers
 
-These emeritus maintainers dedicated a part of their career to etcd and reviewed code, triaged bugs, and pushed the project forward over a substantial period of time. Thank you.
+These emeritus maintainers dedicated a part of their career to etcd and reviewed code, triaged bugs, and pushed the project forward over a substantial period of time. Their contribution is greatly appreciated.
 
 * Fanmin Shi