It took you a very long paragraph to say that?
You wrote “This airline does not offer military discounts or refunds, period.”
Maybe they should lose some customers.
We fly a lot on American Airlines (especially my wife, who flies so much around the world because of her job that she could probably buy one of their planes).
As a result, when we are traveling together we go to the Admiral’s Club. I have always been impressed that active-duty military (including my daughter) can show up and rest and eat there, no questions asked. American also gives preferential boarding to active-duty military.
Perhaps the other airline in question could change their policy, because they are most certainly off my travel list!
ps. Sorry your husband cannot “make the trip”. Apparently the US Marine also cannot.