Free Food Flop at Chick-Fil-A during Veteran's Day

[JI7]

An active duty Airman in uniform was denied a free meal during a Veterans Day promotion at Chick-Fil-A in Harlingen because he's not considered a veteran.

It angered the customer, who spoke to Action 4 News under the condition of anonymity due to rules about the media.

He felt embarrassed at the counter and called the promotion “misleading.”

Franchise owner Francisco Castellanos, who also once served in the military, says he meant no disrespect to the service member.

Castellanos added he was simply following a government definition for a veteran as someone who “served.”

Active duty members do get a 10-percent discount year-round, according to Castellanos who said he gave away about $1,500 worth of food during Monday’s promotion.

But the Airman, who's spent a decade with the military, turned to social media to vent his frustration.

He was eventually offered a refund before he left.

http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=970647#.UoMFoSeykwI

[1000words]

1. I understand the Airman's disappointment, but just what is he missing out on?

A twelve dollar gut bomb. Hardly an injustice worthy of a twitter trend.

Mr. Castellanos seems like a nice enough fellow, and he is correct regarding the Airman's official status. I would have probably still given the guy a meal.

[MADem]

2. People who are IN the military are also veterans.

If they wanted their promotion to go to "honorably discharged veterans" or "veterans not on active duty" they should have frigging said so.

[1000words]

3. Apparently, it is not so cut and dry

There seems to be a lack of consensus regarding what defines a "military veteran":

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/benefits/a/vetbenefits.htm

The story does mention that Castellanos was operating from what he called "a government definition." Obviously, it differs from your reference.

[MADem]

5. If you've served a day in the military, you are, technically, a veteran.

Not all veterans are entitled to veterans' benefits.

Servicemembers who are dishonorably discharged are not entitled to benefits--that does not mean they didn't serve, and it does not mean they are not "veterans."

Eligibility for benefits is not a controlling requirement to be called a veteran. If you took an oath, and served a day on active duty--even active duty for training--you are, technically, a veteran. If you were dishonorably discharged, are doing time in a military prison where your rank is stripped from you, you are still a "veteran" because you served on active duty in a branch of the military. A veteran entitled to benefits is just one type of veteran--the type we laud, generally. The other kind is the "fuck up"--the criminals, misfits, entry level "convenience of the government" dischargees, etc.--but they are still veterans, and that's a government definition (even if they aren't entitled to benefits).

I do know my way around these definitions, as I am a "veteran" of decades in military service!

[Cracklin Charlie]

7. Thank you for your service!

And for the information!

[MADem]

9. Happy to oblige!

And thank you for the paychecks down the years!

[1000words]

8. The store owner had a "Veterans Eat Free" promotion.

In the end, the Airman did indeed eat for free.

Our work is done here.

[MADem]

10. He shouldn't have been a poop about it, but ah, well...

If he only wanted "honorably discharged vets" he should have differentiated.

He'll live and learn after this little imbroglio. He's got a year to figure out how to do it!

[Bucky]

4. I've always understood the word veteran to include those who are still in uniform.

Of course I'm basing my knowledge on some jokes I saw on MASH back in the 70s.

[Cracklin Charlie]

6. I went to Applebees on Veteran's Day two years ago...

With my active duty brother in law. Not only did they give him a free meal, they gave his mother a free meal, and gave my husband (retired Army) a free meal. They also interviewed my brother in law, photographed him, and his picture ended up on their web page. They would have probably give me a meal free as well, if I had ordered anything.

The entire staff, and other customers, kept coming up to him, and talking to him about his service. It was a great experience!