Companies that do shit like this will always get highlighted until they fix their shit.
For the past 20 years, veteran Manuel Griffin has sold memorial poppies outside a Walmart in Dickson City, Pennsylvania, in May to raise money and awareness for the VFW. Rain or shine, Griffin’s wife, Maryann, says he always shows up.
But this year, during inclement weather, Maryann says the store told the 69-year-old veteran he couldn’t sell the “buddy poppies,” created by disabled or needy vets in VA hospitals across the U.S., under the covered area.
“As it was pouring rain, he was told he couldn’t stay at the protected area and that he would have to go out in the rain and 15 feet away from the building as per the store manager,” Maryann explained in a Facebook post on Friday.
Way to go Walmart … commendable way to treat our veterans who fought for your freedom … Disgrace.”
She shared a photo of the vet, donning a military uniform, sitting outside in the rain with his hands folded. The picture was shared by more than 6,300 people as of Monday evening.
“Way to go WALMART….commendable way to treat our veterans who fought for your freedom…..Disgrace,” Maryann continued, adding that the photo was sent to her by a passerby who “obviously felt the same.”
Hundreds of people commented on the photo — with dozens calling the move a “disgrace” and suggesting residents in the area should boycott the location.
“Regardless of what he was selling or for whom, they had regularly allowed him to do so. Basic human kindness should have stepped in here. Thanks for his service, both in the past and in the present!” one Facebook user wrote.
HAPPY ENDING: Walmart followed through and put a canopy up outside for veterans in Dickson City.
Original Story: After Photo of Veteran Sitting in the Rain Goes Viral, Walmart Makes Amends https://t.co/IAYd0BCJwF @WNEP pic.twitter.com/TAv33fmsiF— Allen Vickers (@AllenWNEP) May 6, 2018
“All American stores and restaurants are getting ridiculous with their policies. People grow up these could be our fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers or grandparents that fought in the wars. They could be related to anyone of us and we allow our fellow man to degrade them like this. I’m getting more ashamed of you all,” another added.
“He is going to do what he has to do for his VFW, and he wants to make sure he is representing them the same way we did when we wore the uniform.”
“This is a kick in the face to someone whom puts their life on the line so Walmart can resort to disgraceful acts to our military! I encourage everyone to boycott Walmart,” one man echoed.
Griffin declined to…