Reserved parking for veterans at the grocery store

[EQGuy]

My wife had me stop at the local Grocery Outlet store to pick up an item. This store saves the front parking spaces for handicap parking and has signs up for family parking and eco friendly vehicle parking. As I pulled in I noticed that one of the family parking signs had been replaced with a sign reserving the space for veterans. This is the first such sign I have seen. Things sure have changed since the 60's. And yes I did park my car there.

 

[kci-mia]

I never seen one for veterans but I saw one store with two spaces for pregnant ladies. I saw a lady park in one of those spot and when she came out I couldn't tell if she was pregnant or just very fat. I was going to stop and ask her but my wife gave me the "look of disapproval" so I kept driving.

 

[Bekeart]

Veteran Parking at Murray Bank

Veteran Parking at Murray Bank - Murray KY

Do not remember exact wording - is for Active and Veterans

Bekeart

 

[Maddog 521]

We have the Veteran parking spots here. It's kind of odd that they are vacant most of the time.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Nice idea but as the parent of a handicapped child, I'm sorry to tell you that the reserved parking spot will be abused (by those who did not serve) by about every other car that drives up. After all, they are "just running in for a second".....
Been there-Done that-Every day..

 

[Alpo]

Besides, unlike PREGNANT WOMAN or HANDICAPPED PLACARD, how is anyone going to tell I'm not a veteran if I park there?

 

[EQGuy]

Besides, unlike PREGNANT WOMAN or HANDICAPPED PLACARD, how is anyone going to tell I'm not a veteran if I park there?

I wondered that myself. If I am ever challenged I do carry my veteran ID card I use to get discounts from Home Depot and Sportsmans Warehouse. I kind of doubt anyone will be accosting a 73 year old man though for parking in the space. Besides I seldom shop there.

 

[ditrina]

Mission BBQ 100% Military and Veteran oriented. EVERY day is Veterans Day

Pulled Pork, Chicken, Brisket, Ribs - MISSION BBQ

 

[ben_g1]

Here in Iowa, they will put VETERAN on your drivers license if you show them your DD214.

Also a local car dealership will do $9.95 oil changes for you if your retired military or wounded Vet.

 

[nachogrande]

NIX THAT IDEA.

I never seen one for veterans but I saw one store with two spaces for pregnant ladies. I saw a lady park in one of those spot and when she came out I couldn't tell if she was pregnant or just very fat. I was going to stop and ask her but my wife gave me the "look of disapproval" so I kept driving.

It didn't end well for the last guy (in the news) that got into it with a lady about a parking spot. Perhaps we should ALL get participation parking spots. Somebody better come up with a boatload more parking spots. All due respect to our vets, but there are only so many spots.

 

[DeathGrip]

Mission BBQ 100% Military and Veteran oriented. EVERY day is Veterans Day

Pulled Pork, Chicken, Brisket, Ribs - MISSION BBQ

I'm pretty sure neither of the two listed in Davie were there a year ago when I moved away. Tat's OK, I had three places I liked close to where I lived anyhow.

I haven't found a place I like up here. I think I'm gonna make my own ribs real soon. I'd rather find a good place and pay for just me though. Err. I need some good ribs and pulled pork and...

 

[Kiwi cop]

I never seen one for veterans but I saw one store with two spaces for pregnant ladies. I saw a lady park in one of those spot and when she came out I couldn't tell if she was pregnant or just very fat. I was going to stop and ask her but my wife gave me the "look of disapproval" so I kept driving.

I thought the "look of disapproval" was something specific to my wife

We do have an invalids parking permit that Karen received before her transplant, and I did use not once when my back was in so much pain I could not walk properly (thankfully now a thing of the past). . I guess we really don't need it now but when we go into town (like this morning) we take my 90 year old mother-in-law with us. I feel guilty if I have to park so far away that she needs to walk for 3 or 4 minutes to get to the shop she wants, so I do use it for her.

And yes, we do scrutinise the cars parked in the handicapped zones looking to see if there is a permit in the window. Amazing the number that are not there.

 

[TomkinsSP]

Old joke:

The policeman walks up to the car parked in the "Pregnant or New Mother" space and raps on the window. Bubba, about 260 pounds of him, rolls down the window.

"Sir, are you pregnant?" asks the officer.

"No, but my wife is, she'll be out in a minute with my six-pack" Bubba replies.

 

[SOS24]

One of our local grocery stores has Veteran parking, although it is a few aisles over from the front, but still a nice thought. I parked in it once and was scolded by someone telling me how me parking there was disrespectful to the veterans who it was reserved for. I asked if he considered it being appropriate for a US Navy veteran with 20+ years of service and over half that being sea time to park there. When he said “yes”. I said then I guess I’m parked in the right space and walked away. I didn’t stick around to find out why he assumed I wasn’t a veteran.

 

[ancient-one]

My daughter and me took my grandson to Texas Road House for his birthday dinner. It was busy as usual on a Saturday night and we were figuring on having to park quite a way from the door. We looked at the close parking which was full except for a Veterans parking slot. We used it and I really appreciated it because my legs and knees were having a very bad day.

 

[Kiwi cop]

One of our local grocery stores has Veteran parking, although it is a few aisles over from the front, but still a nice thought. I parked in it once and was scolded by someone telling me how me parking there was disrespectful to the veterans who it was reserved for. I asked if he considered it being appropriate for a US Navy veteran with 20+ years of service and over half that being sea time to park there. When he said “yes”. I said then I guess I’m parked in the right space and walked away. I didn’t stick around to find out why he assumed I wasn’t a veteran.

Probably was looking for the Hollywood stereotype of a veteran. Long hair, ill fitting clothes, spaced out on PTSD meds and/or missing limbs or in a wheelchair (in which case they qualify for the handicapped spaces nearer the door).

 

[STCM(SW)]

THD has vets parking spaces. Use them all the time.
But my trucks have MCPO Ret. stickers on them and have one of my ships hats on most of the time.

 

[Rastoff]

We have the Veteran parking spots here. It's kind of odd that they are vacant most of the time.

Not odd to me. I would not park there. There are those that need the spot more than I do so, I'll leave it for them as long as I'm able to walk.

Selfish parking, illegally using a DP spot or pregnant spot and just generally being rude in a parking lot is a pet peeve of mine. So, I avoid raising my blood pressure by parking far away from whatever store I go to. I enjoy the walk and others need the close space more than I do.

5 years ago I broke my femur in a weapons training class. I didn't understand what it meant to be disabled until I literally COULDN'T use my right leg. Yeah, we can imagine it, but until you can't do something you don't really understand how difficult it is. There were many days I was extremely grateful to have a temporary DP tag. Saving 5 yards of walking was a God send some days. I could go on, but I think you get my point.

So, yeah, I appreciate the gesture, but I'll save those spots for my 95 year old WWII vet friends who really get a benefit from them.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Saw one at Lowes recently for Purple Heart Recipient. Had a color image of the medal on the sign.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I've never seen one around here. Like mentioned above, It's a kind gesture but one I would not use.

Besides, I usually have Ruthie drop me at the door as she could use the exercise.