Marine Vets at Cracker Barrel

[webfoot34]

I received this from a friend who is active in the Marine Corps League. This occurred this Memorial Day in Germantown Tennessee.

Joe


MARINE VETERANS SNUBBED AT CRACKER BARREL RESTAURANT ON MEMORIAL DAY.

MARINE VETERANS HONORED AT DIXIE CAFE ON MEMORIAL DAY.

Today is Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor our nations War Dead.
Five Marines in uniform had just completed a Memorial Day Service, to honor the veteran in the care of Apple Grove Alzheimer's & Dementia Residence.
After the service, they went to the Cracker Barrel at Hacks Cross Road and Nonconnah Parkway. This service was one of six such services that the Marine Corps League had participated in since Friday. While waiting to be seated and after being seated several customers asked our piper who was wearing a Marine Corps kilt if he was a Bagpiper, on the reply of yes, asked if he would get his Pipes and play a Patriotic tune in honor of Memorial Day. The Piper said he would need the permission of the manager. A server went to get permission, she returned and stated manager had said no, that they do not even allow the singing of Happy Birthday because they had had a complaints.
One of our Marines went to speak to the manager personally, and received a rude reply of no, stating no birthdays either. The manager was told that several customers had requested to hear the medley of the five service songs in honor of Memorial Day. The manager was asked why he was selling patriotic merchandise and at the same time rudely dishonoring Veterans on Memorial Day. He was firm in his NO! The five Marines cancelled their orders and left. We told the manager that we would see that all veteran organizations were made aware that the Cracker Barrel does care for the patronage of this nations veterans. We will never eat at a Cracker Barrel again. The manager was also told that in our travels through many states we always stopped at the Cracker Barrel and had played the Pipes and sang in groups close to 40. He said he had never heard of such. The manager did say the Piper could play on the front porch, but there was no one on the front porch, I guess he sends his birthday celebrants out side also. We have always been allowed to gather at a CB and Pray before our meal and Sing the MARINE HYMN after the meal, and always without exception, to much applause from the other patrons. As we left the CB, a man followed us to the parking lot and identified himself as a minister, and saying he would like to know what the conflict was about and we told him, he stated he was going back to talk to the manager.

We then went to Dixie Cafe on Hacks Crossroad. We were met at the door by a server who stated he was a Navy veteran of Desert Storm. He welcomed us and stated all veterans in uniform would receive a 10% discount on their meal as a thank you from Dixie Cafe. Meal was Great service was excellent.

Semper Fi,

Tom Williams

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Sounds like someone needs an education in basic business, like pleasing customers and developing loyalty. In WWI Robert Woodruff, the long time head of Coca Cola (1923-1954) said that:
"Everyman in unform will have the opportunity to buy a bottle of Coca Cola for five cents, no matter what it costs the company."

 

[Andy Taylor]

Being a fan of CB, I took the liberty of coping your post and sent it to CB asking for the cororation's side of things. It may be a rogue manager and not idicative of a company wide problem. I sure hope so.

 

[BarbC]

While waiting to be seated and after being seated several customers asked our piper who was wearing a Marine Corps kilt if he was a Bagpiper, on the reply of yes, asked if he would get his Pipes and play a Patriotic tune in honor of Memorial Day. The Piper said he would need the permission of the manager. A server went to get permission, she returned and stated manager had said no, that they do not even allow the singing of Happy Birthday because they had had a complaints.

I have to say that as irritating as I find Happy Birthday, the sound of bagpipes inside a Cracker Barrel would drive me out of there instantaneously.

They were offered the front porch and I'm sure an audience out there would have gathered. But inside... yikes.

There is a reason bagpipes were considered an instrument of war.

 

[USAF385]

One time while coming home on leave I stopped at a local Sheetz gas station for gas and a cup of coffee. It was the middle of winter and very cold, so I picked up the biggest size cup they had. When I got to the register, the manager looked at me (wearing my blues) and said "This one's on the house." I found they always offer free coffee to any serviceman in uniform. This isn't a company policy, it's the individual location's. I thought it was a nice gesture.

 

[7.62foryou]

I've never eaten at a Cracher Barrel. I'm now glad that I haven't and never will. Any business that hires people so stupid that they can't make an exception for servicemen and country doesn't deserve my business. SOBs

 

[n4zov]

I think this may have been an individual store issue and not a corporate policy. At one time, a local Cracker Barrel had a cook who would put on a white choir robe and come out to sing Happy Birthday on request. He had a magnificent voice, and that particular CB probably had had HB sung more often than any ten other stores put together.

 

[ladder13]

webfoot34, if you're(with Marines in dress uniforms) ever up my way(NY north of NYC), breakfast will be served at my house by me, and you can play the bagpipes all you like.
That's an open invitation.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Clearly, if this truly did happen, the manager isn't the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to handling sticky situations.

I'm going to side with Barb and be the Devil's advocate also, bagpipes are LOUD!
That doesn't mean I don't love them- which I do!

Also, I think it would be completely disrespectful to eat and be seated while it was being played, period. If I would have been there and it was played, I would stand for it.

The first time I ate at an authentic Italian restaurant that had a band of minstrels that came to the table and played I felt totally uncomfortable to eat in front of them- how much worse would it be of something that demands respect?

The answer would have been obviously simple, had the manager not been so dense (if this really did happen) in such a "political" situation.

He should have made an announcement that for everyone in the restaurant to stand go outside if they chose for a presentation of The Flag and playing of the bagpipes, and would have requested the employees to do so also, etc. If he is the manager, that makes him the "leader" of that restaurant- then lead by example!

I honestly think the gentleman suggesting it showed very poor judgment at "compromising" the respect that should be given on Memorial Day. Respect, I know, comes in different forms and doesn't always have to be solemn- but respect for those that have passed on, I believe, should be in all cases.

There is a difference between Memorial Day and Veteran's Day, and sometimes they do get confused. This still isn't an excuse not to thank a Veteran any day of the year!

Many years ago, I used to work in a country store. Every single morning, there were four of us, and we'd start the day much the same way we did at school- pledge allegiance to The Flag and a prayer. My, how times have changed.

 

[SShepherd]

I'VE been a piper for 15 years now..you know what-- suck it up !

3min for a tune on the pipes, to show some gratitude to a couple of Marines is a hell of alot less irritating than a kid screaming his head off for 15min, or some slob that eats with his mouth open.

 

[webfoot34]

Originally posted by Andy Griffith:
Clearly, if this truly did happen, the manager isn't the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to handling sticky situations.


The answer would have been obviously simple, had the manager not been so dense (if this really did happen) in such a "political" situation.

Andy,

You seem to have doubts that this incident occurred. Let me assure you that it did and I can also name the other vets that were part of the group.

Joe

 

[Andy Griffith]

I mean no offense to you Joe.

I'm just very cautious when I see something posted that is stated "as fact" on the internet.

For instance, I did a search and came across another version of this same story in which the manager is a lady instead of a man, as in the above account.
Linky

The place, date and time seem to check out.

I learned very early in life that jumping on band wagons that weren't "hitched" correctly is not a good thing- it's better to be late to the church service than to get into an accident getting there.

Please don't fault me for being a bit skeptical- I like things to be verified and confirmed- just like good reconnaissance.

 

[jonnyringo]

Originally posted by SShepherd:
I'VE been a piper for 15 years now..you know what-- suck it up !

3min for a tune on the pipes, to show some gratitude to a couple of Marines is a hell of alot less irritating than a kid screaming his head off for 15min, or some slob that eats with his mouth open.

I agree!

 

[11bravo]

I come from a long line of men and women who have (and currently do) serve our country in uniform. Geneology being a hobby of mine, I recently found documents from a family member applying for a pension following his 4 terms of active service during the Revolutionary War. That said, I think the front porch offer was more than fair.

 

[webfoot34]

Originally posted by Andy Griffith:
I mean no offense to you Joe.

I'm just very cautious when I see something posted that is stated "as fact" on the internet.

Andy I have known the writer of the email, Tom Williams, since 1946. If Tom tells you "A Rooster Dips Snuff" look under his wing and you will find his snuffbox!!


Joe

 

[Doc Nonverbal]

I love the bagpipes. My favorite quote about them was from "A Rifleman went to War" by Herbert W. McBride. Parapharasing a bit here, he related how the Scots were utterly fearless and would go right over the top while their piper was playing. "To this day" McBride related "when I hear bagpipes, I want to kill someone."

 

[jonnyringo]

Them Marines should have took the manager to the front porch and gave him a blanket party.

 

[HarryWatson]

Marines don't beat up the defenseless.

 

[jonnyringo]

LOL

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Some people who are very concerned with being truthful themselves are less careful when passing on someone else's internet "hooey" - especially when it violates their passions. Even if it happened, we do not know all the facts, but with all respect this one has the indicia of more internet nonsense.