I know this isn't about the United States, but this is just unbelievably abhorrent.
From Fox News:
A wounded British soldier home from Afghanistan on sick leave was forced to spend the night in his car after a hotel refused him a room.
Corporal Tomos Stringer was told by staff at Metro Hotel, in Woking, that it was company policy not to accept members of the armed forces as guests. The 24-year-old had traveled to the Surrey town to help with funeral preparations for a friend killed in action.
It was so late that Cpl Stringer, who had broken his wrist jumping off an Army truck as it was attacked, had no choice but to sleep in his tiny, two-door car, arm covered in plaster.
Cpl Stringer, of 13 Air Assault Support Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps, has now returned to Afghanistan, but his mother, Gaynor Stringer, from Criccieth, north Wales, told The Times that she is still furious about the incident.
“I’m very, very angry. It’s discrimination. They would never get away with it if it was against someone of ethnic origin,” she said.
She said they had received neither an apology nor an explanation from the hotel, which is part of a family entertainment center called The Big Apple and owned by a company called American Amusements.
"In America, they treat soldiers as heroes,” said Stringer, whose son joined the Army when he was 16 and has done multiple tours of duty in Iraq, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan.
The incident has prompted widespread condemnation from senior members of the Government, MPs, servicemen and their supporters.
Legions of army men and enthusiasts are rising up in the forums of the unofficial British Army Web site to call for a boycott of the hotel.
Some more information about American Amudements LTD.
http://www.thebigapple.co.uk/about.php
http://www.donowdo.com/Amusement-Parks-And-Arcades/American-Amusements-Ltd-Woking-GU21-6HR.htm
I truly hope that the British Citizens vote with their wallets on this company and cease their support of them. This is just abhorrent. Our brethren British troops are some of our best allies, and also one heck of an Armed Forces. I've served with them a number of times, around the world, and they are awesome. I can't believe that someone would be denied a bed for the night because they are a member of the Armed Forces. Its just unbelievable.
God Bless America
Bryan
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6 comments:
I have a blog friend from Bath and she has commented that the British military is treated almost along the same lines as Vietnam veterans were. Its not just that hotel chain.
It is horrible.
Are we really that much more enlightened here, or are we just feel-good PC? I heard a comment (second hand) today by a woman re: VP candidate Palin, "Who would send their son to the military instead of college?" We have adolescence now protracted to age 28, with "kids" hiding in college with no promise or goal of self-sufficiency...and it's glorified! Some of us, however, like SP, raise children who become adults and make a choice to become part of something bigger than themselves. I still bristle at the .org ad with a woman telling John McCain, "You can't have him", speaking of the toddler son on her lap. Lady, you'll grow old and, with any luck, your kid will grow up and be a man. But truly, this IS the prevailing mentality, so not much different than GB.
Oh, and by the way....That soldier has a room in my home any time.
Grrrrrrrrrrrr from a former Hockey Mom, now "Ahmi Mah"
One bright spot to this story is that in reading the comments on a London papers (The Sun? can't remember) the vast majority of British subjects (that word used very intentionally, I abhor monarchy and socialism) were as incensed as we would be here. Only 1 or 2 frothing moon bats defended the hotel and spewed their usually garbage. One called him a "trained killer" and babbled "he may have even had a gun". How do these morons remember to breathe.
Fly on the wall, that attitude is very much in the minority here, thank God.
Rangersgirl, Fly, Crunchie,
I agree its crazy. I have a British friend here who I couldnt find today, but Im going to grab him up ASAP and ask him about this also.
I truly hope that your right Crunchie that the opinion is the minority. But Im not sure anymore. A year or two ago I would have agreed. But, after reading a lot of liberal blogs lately Im seeing more and more of that. We support the troops but my son isnt doing that. I truly hope that perception of mine is wrong though.
What have each of you seen in that regards. My view is tainted being in the military, but what have each of you seen out in the civilian world right now?
Bryan
Well, I live in DC and work for the DoD - - granted, I am a contractor not a government employee. Because of the nature of my job, most, if not all of my co-workers are pro-military and pro-mission. I think some of us, based upon what we do, realize the importance of what is going on. I think we'd all like there not to be a war because we all know people directly effected.
Out in the 'world'. My personal experience has been those that know folks in the military are more supportive of what is going on then those who don't know anyone. That goes across the field from elite, ivy league educated to the blue collar, high school educated. Also, I have found those who have had a negative experience with the military tend to be negative toward the military.
Crunchie, I think you may not live in New England. During a recent visit to Virginia I found a very different "community" and much higher visibility of the military. Up here talk is cheap and plentiful. "Support our Troops" pretty much means a bumper magnet, at most.
If you're going to step up and serve, you'd best do it with NO expectations of reciprocal commitment, public respect or recognition. I've followed, with heartbreak, the reaction of Colby Buzzell
http://cbftw.blogspot.com/
being called back after his 4 years were through.
Our guys are exhausted and, due to "lack of interest" by their generation, being called to serve BEYOND their personal resources. My greatest hope is that McCain breaks the "green ceiling" and inspires this country with accountabiity.
Thanks, Major C, for this opportunity to rant. I'm afraid I just read about P'stan's latest antics and am going off the deep end. . .again.
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