Female veteran gets angry note over parking space

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**angelofvengeance**

First of all, I didn't know Veteran Only parking was a thing in the USA. Since when?
Don't think I've seen a Veteran Only parking bay anywhere here in England.

Just wow though..

Linky:
http://news.sky.com/story/1712432/female-veteran-gets-angry-note-over-parking-space

Story:

A female US Navy veteran has hit out at a stranger who left a "misogynistic" note on her car that criticised her for parking in a veterans-only space.

Rebecca Hayes, of North Carolina, wrote a Facebook post, which has since gone viral, about finding the angry, handwritten note when she came out of a grocery store on Monday.

It said: "This parking is for Veterans, lady. Learn to read and have some respect."

Ms Hayes, who served in the Navy for eight years, told WBTV she rarely uses the veterans-only spots outside the store, but decided to do so on that day because it was hot and both were empty.

She told the broadcaster she cried after reading the note.

Ms Hayes then responded by posting a photo of the note on Facebook with a message for its anonymous author.

"I'm sorry that you can't see my eight years of service in the United Sates Navy," she wrote.

"I'm sorry that your narrow misogynistic world view can't conceive of the fact that there are female Veterans.

"I'm sorry that I have to explain myself to people like you. Mostly, I’m sorry that we didn't get a chance to have this conversation face to face, and that you didn't have the integrity and intestinal fortitude to identify yourself, qualities the military emphasizes.

"Which leads to one question, I served, did you?"

**Ouze**

I've never seen a veteran only parking space.

**reds8n**

http://jalopnik.com/woman-gets-angry-note-for-parking-in-veterans-only-spac-1782044299

The spot in question was at a Harris Teeter grocery store. Harris-Teeter reserves a few primo parking spots just for veterans, a nice little way to say thanks to those that serve our country.

It’s an honor system, with only a sign to enforce the veterans-only rule. The closest grocery store to my home happens to be a Harris Teeter, and I’ve seen these spots. Despite my years of service to our country in both the Cold War and the brutal Cola Wars (I still see small plastic cups of fizzy brown liquid in my dreams) I’ve never availed myself to these choice parking places.

huh, who'd a thunk.

**Kilkrazy**

Maybe only some larger shops have them, a voluntary kind of thing.

In Paris the Metro has seats reserved for veterans.

**jreilly89**

Veteran only parking is a thing? And yeah, people don't know when to shut their mouth.

**Fenrir Kitsune**

In fairness, they do a sterling job of looking after my dog when he needs his check up and worming pills.

**Nostromodamus**

The store I work at has several such spots. Never seen them til I came to the US. This country does seem to offer more perks for veterans than other countries I've been to.

**Chongara**

jreilly89 wrote:
Veteran only parking is a thing? And yeah, people don't know when to shut their mouth.

Yeah, first I'm hearing of such a thing.

**Xenomancers**

Well whoever left the note is a total jerk but...grow some thicker skin. 8 year female navy vet has seen a lot worse I am sure.

**Shadow Captain Edithae**

Aye...she has "integrity and intestinal fortitude" but a mean note on her car made her cry?

The person responsible is an arsehole though - a self-righteous self-appointed moral arbiter.

**Ahtman**

Chongara wrote:Yeah, first I'm hearing of such a thing.

Same. Never heard of it either.

**BobtheInquisitor**

Xenomancers wrote:
Well whoever left the note is a total jerk but...grow some thicker skin. 8 year female navy vet has seen a lot worse I am sure.

Maybe she thought someone stole her valor?

**Kanluwen**

Ouze wrote:
I've never seen a veteran only parking space.

It's something that Harris Teeter does, having "Reserved for Veterans" parking spaces in the same general distance from the store's doors as the handicapped spots.

That's what it looks like. There's usually something like 8 or 10 of them, depending on the layout of the parking.

They've been doing it since 2014 or thereabouts. As of November, all of their locations have reserved veteran parking. Harris Teeter is a NC based chain and I can't say how far they reach.

I live in NC, and it's something I don't even think about anymore seeing it at Harris Teeter. It's rare for the parking spots to actually have any cars in them though.

**Matthew**

But how is that note 'misogynistic'? As far as I can tell someone didn't think she was a veteran... how is that something to cry over?

**whembly**

Ahtman wrote:
Chongara wrote:Yeah, first I'm hearing of such a thing.

Same. Never heard of it either.

Same here...

Cool idea though.

And feth the dude who assumed she wasn't a vet.

**redleger**

Matthew wrote:
But how is that note 'misogynistic'? As far as I can tell someone didn't think she was a veteran... how is that something to cry over?

It is misogynistic because it was assumed since she was a female, she couldn't possibly be a veteran. Truth is, most of us don't advertise. the ones that do make a choice to be questioned, however I never assume someone is stealing valor. the ones that do are very easy to pick out of a crowd from those of us that know better.

**Matthew**

redleger wrote:
Matthew wrote:
But how is that note 'misogynistic'? As far as I can tell someone didn't think she was a veteran... how is that something to cry over?

It is misogynistic because it was assumed since she was a female, she couldn't possibly be a veteran. Truth is, most of us don't advertise. the ones that do make a choice to be questioned, however I never assume someone is stealing valor. the ones that do are very easy to pick out of a crowd from those of us that know better.

Did she have a sign or something on her car saying she was a veteran? I mean, you have a reason to assume anyone isn't a veteran.

**Shadow Captain Edithae**

Misogynist is to strong a word for this. Sexist, definitely.

But how does this person's actions (assuming a woman is not a Veteran) imply a hatred of women?

**redleger**

many people corealate sexism and misogyny. Although, something only most veterans would spot, that note was left from a military issue pocket note pad. I have one on me right now. So misogyny is pretty much a likelyhood, since many old timers have a hatred for women who do anything than make babies and dinner.

**MrDwhitey**

This reminds me of the same gak towards disabled people not looking "disabled enough".

**kronk**

MrDwhitey wrote:
This reminds me of the same gak towards disabled people not looking "disabled enough".

Exactly this. Don't assume, people.

**Ouze**

redleger wrote:
Although, something only most veterans would spot, that note was left from a military issue pocket note pad. I have one on me right now.

I'm going to have to call CSI "enhance" style shenanigans on that one. You can buy lined pocket side-spiral notepads at every Walgreens in the country, probably.

**Kanluwen**

Matthew wrote:
redleger wrote:
Matthew wrote:
But how is that note 'misogynistic'? As far as I can tell someone didn't think she was a veteran... how is that something to cry over?

It is misogynistic because it was assumed since she was a female, she couldn't possibly be a veteran. Truth is, most of us don't advertise. the ones that do make a choice to be questioned, however I never assume someone is stealing valor. the ones that do are very easy to pick out of a crowd from those of us that know better.

Did she have a sign or something on her car saying she was a veteran? I mean, you have a reason to assume anyone isn't a veteran.

Sure you have a reason to assume anyone isn't a veteran.

But like I said, here in NC where the story takes place? It's actually rare to see those "Reserved for Veteran" spots occupied.

**angelofvengeance**

MrDwhitey wrote:
This reminds me of the same gak towards disabled people not looking "disabled enough".

To be fair, there are a lot of benefits cheats, which has tarnished the whole thing. Some people will do literally anything for a better quality of living. Same goes for the whole "stolen valour" folks.

**redleger**

Ouze wrote:
redleger wrote:
Although, something only most veterans would spot, that note was left from a military issue pocket note pad. I have one on me right now.

I'm going to have to call CSI "enhance" style shenanigans on that one. You can buy lined pocket side-spiral notepads at every Walgreens in the country, probably.

ouze, wow man. Didnt you serve? You were never issued the brown "write in the rain" pocket pads. Yes, this could totally be from any walgreens, but without putting it in my hand, and feeling the paper, there is no way to be 100% sure, however is seriously looks like the same coated paper issued to many that allows for writing in wet conditions. Is that really a reason to try to be argumentative.

**MrDwhitey**

angelofvengeance wrote:
MrDwhitey wrote:
This reminds me of the same gak towards disabled people not looking "disabled enough".

To be fair, there are a lot of benefits cheats, which has tarnished the whole thing. Some people will do literally anything for a better quality of living. Same goes for the whole "stolen valour" folks.

To be fair, that's still no excuse.

Just because a few people abuse benefits doesn't mean all people you think "Don't look disabled enough" are one of them.

**redleger**

angelofvengeance wrote:
MrDwhitey wrote:
This reminds me of the same gak towards disabled people not looking "disabled enough".

To be fair, there are a lot of benefits cheats, which has tarnished the whole thing. Some people will do literally anything for a better quality of living. Same goes for the whole "stolen valour" folks.

agree, but if you follow the organization "Stolen Valor" this kind of behavior is what they warn you against. If there is a possibility (which this would probably not even make the radar) of stolen valor you get pics, talk with the person, record said person, then submit, and they have people that actually fact find, then after proof is given, out the individual. I would assume she was a veteran, and if I absolutely needed to know, I would talk to her. even across branches, many of us speak similar languages.

**angelofvengeance**

MrDwhitey wrote:
angelofvengeance wrote:
MrDwhitey wrote:
This reminds me of the same gak towards disabled people not looking "disabled enough".

To be fair, there are a lot of benefits cheats, which has tarnished the whole thing. Some people will do literally anything for a better quality of living. Same goes for the whole "stolen valour" folks.

To be fair, that's still no excuse.

Just because a few people abuse benefits doesn't mean all people you think "Don't look disabled enough" are one of them.

I'm not defending anybody's bad behaviour here.

Like I said- a few bad apples spoil the cart. Once a few people start doing it, the decent and genuine folks are constantly being second-guessed.

**Smacks**

Dunno, that handwriting looks pretty girly, and is that eyebrow pencil? She probably wrote it herself for some extra attention on facebook. Can't see why anyone else would give a gak.

**Prestor Jon**

redleger wrote:
angelofvengeance wrote:
MrDwhitey wrote:
This reminds me of the same gak towards disabled people not looking "disabled enough".

To be fair, there are a lot of benefits cheats, which has tarnished the whole thing. Some people will do literally anything for a better quality of living. Same goes for the whole "stolen valour" folks.

agree, but if you follow the organization "Stolen Valor" this kind of behavior is what they warn you against. If there is a possibility (which this would probably not even make the radar) of stolen valor you get pics, talk with the person, record said person, then submit, and they have people that actually fact find, then after proof is given, out the individual. I would assume she was a veteran, and if I absolutely needed to know, I would talk to her. even across branches, many of us speak similar languages.

Yeah it's pretty poor form that the person who left the note, veteran or not, decided that it was better to be a passive agressive gakhole instead of just taking the time to talk to the person who parked there. If it's not worth your time to wait and know for sure if the person is a veteran then it's really not worth your time to write the note.