A few years ago my local bank sponsored a raffle for veterans. While I was filling out my raffle ticket a man approached me. He was agitated and made it very clear to me that the raffle was "...only for veterans!" I informed the man "...I am a veteran."
Last week I was in a Tanger Outlets parking lot. I saw a man standing next to his vehicle in a veteran-designated parking space. I inquired if he was pulling out of the space. Instead of answering my question he told me the parking spaces are "...veterans only!" I informed the man "...I am a veteran."
Seeing he was pulling out of the parking space, I waited. I waited. Finally he motioned for me to drive forward and pass his vehicle so he could pull out of the space. Although I did not understand the necessity of moving my car, I was not blocking his vehicle, I drove forward, and having had enough of my time wasted I parked in the first available spot. I did not park in the veteran-designated parking spot.
I don't look at every man and assume he is a veteran. Some should not assume that every women is not a veteran. Women have served in every American armed conflict since the American Revolution.
Today, no longer restricted to supportive or administrative roles, women are leaders in the United States armed forces. They lead both women and men. We served and continue to serve in dangerous locations. Some women return home wounded and without limbs. Some women return home in an aluminum coffin.
The veteran-designated parking spaces provided at the Tanger Outlets are for all veterans. I shouldn't have to leave my DD-214 on my dash for confirmation and approval.
Joan Nisler
Lewes
-
A letter to the editor expresses a reader's opinion and, as such, is not reflective of the editorial opinions of this newspaper.
To submit a letter to the editor for publishing, send an email to newsroom@capegazette.com. Letters must be signed and include a telephone number and address for verification. Please keep letters to 500 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit for content and length. Letters should be responsive to issues addressed in the Cape Gazette rather than content from other publications or media. Only one letter per author will be published every 30 days. Letters restating information and opinions already offered by the same author will not be used. Letters must focus on issues of general, local concern, not personalities or specific businesses.
