Waitress pays lunch bill for soldiers affected by shutdown ( NH )

WMUR 9 ^ | Oct 10, 2013 | Jennifer Gannon,

[george76]

A Concord waitress said after learning that two of her customers are soldiers affected by the federal government shutdown, she picked up their tab for lunch.

Sarah Hoidahl said she wanted to do something nice for the members of the National Guard, so she paid their bill

...

Hoidahl, who is a single mother of a 15-month-old boy, said she knows how difficult it can be to make ends meet. “I was just thinking to myself that must be really difficult,” she said. “Just because the income stops, doesn’t mean the bills do.”

She wrote a note expressing her gratitude on the back of the check.

[exDemMom]

It’s a nice gesture.

Active duty military will be paid on schedule; Obama signed that bill before the shut-down even began. I don’t know about reservists, though. Also, the commissaries—where military families buy groceries at a discount—are closed for the duration.

[MeshugeMikey]

Pray for her Safety

She's crossed the Cone Barrier is now subject to the wrath of Goofy King Obama.

shes extended her hand in goodwill and that just doesnt fit well with his highnesses EDICT!

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

Single mother probably making minimum wage paying for them because Barry feels his ego is more important than anything.

"Congress live under my Obamacare? Tah! You *must* be joking! We are above the serfs!"

[isthisnickcool]

There is a group of us that never allow anyone in uniform to pay a tab. Some of us were in twin peaks recently and 12 army folks came in for a birthday party. No problem. We have one rule, we never let them know who picks up the bill. We prefer that they look around a crowded place and think it was everyone chipping in.

Besides meals we have paid for hair cuts, transportation, housing, gift cards at Best Buy, etc. I’m sure this happens all over the country all the time.

Even helped build some houses.

This has been going on since 2006.

[knarf]

THAT sir, is conehead BLASPHEMY ... !!

[day10]

I once was in the Bangor airport when a flight of returning soldiers came in. I had the pleasure of buying anyone that wanted one a welcome home cigar from the airport shop. It was an experience I will never forget.

[Don Corleone]

My 50 mission crushed hat is off to her!

[bandleader]

GOD Bless her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[maine-iac7]

Active duty military will be paid on schedule; Obama signed that bill before the shut-down even began. I don’t know about reservists, though. Also, the commissaries—where military families buy groceries at a discount—are closed for the duration.

Let's don't forget that 'o'bummer ONLY signed that bill because it hit the news that he was NOT going to pay the military and the republicans quickly wrote a bill to FUND them, which INCLUDED, in writing, the payment of death benefits.

Further, let;s not forget that he then by-passed the 'pay death benefits' portion of the bill - and only capitulated about 10 days later after the news got out. (He's not used to news he doesn't want 'out' hitting the wires so he figured he could get away with it.)

So let's not give him credit in regards to paying our military? You can bet he's gnashing his teeth over getting backed into it...and waiting for a chance to 'get even.' It's the way of the narcissist and the Chi-town thugs.))

[SueRae]

Love this. I’ve had opportunities to buy a meal, a round of beers, all anonymously. My daughter and niece are the only ones who’ve seen me do this. A ‘life lesson’, if you will.
God bless these men and women who serve.

[maine-iac7]

Also, the commissaries—where military families buy groceries at a discount—are closed for the duration.

Oh, and let's don't forget that he closed the commissaries - but not 'his' golf course on the base.

Some animals are more equal...

[anoldafvet]

My wife and I have been doing the same thing for quite some time. Last week we were out with my son and his wife and my son picked up the tabe for a young Marine and his wife. It made me proud. Maybe our kids really do learn by example.

[rawhide]

Sarah Hoidahl

[Doogle]

Good for you Sarah, you'll get it back ten fold. "We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindness there is at last one which makes the heart run over."

[98ZJ USMC]

A lovely gesture. Yes, Active Duty, Retired, et al are being paid. The Guard is currently at an impasse - they are funded separately - and this coming up drill is cancelled. I would think those ARNGs would have civilian jobs, but a very, very nice gesture.

[bunkerhill7]

Tip Top

[BykrBayb]

I shopped at the Shaw AFB Commissary yesterday.

[texas booster]

Generosity is not a function of wealth but of an attitude of giving. It wells from the heart, and one can learn a lot about a person based on how the treat the less fortunate among us.

Which is why FReepers in particular are so insulted when we hear of a smarmy politician stiffing a server or not paying for a bill.

[deport]

FWIW......

https://www.commissaries.com/press_room/press_release/2013/DeCA_68_13.cfm

News Release
All commissaries return to normal hours

FORT LEE, Va., Oct. 7, 2013 –Military commissaries worldwide are returning to
normal operating schedules effective Oct. 7, said the director and CEO of the
Defense Commissary Agency.

“This is certainly good news for our patrons and our employees,” said Joseph H. Jeu.
“All our stateside stores are now returning to their regular schedules as of Oct. 7.”

The DeCA announcement comes in the wake of the Department of Defense’s Oct. 5 decision
that most DOD civilians will be recalled to work beginning Monday, Oct. 7. As part of
DOD’s guidance, commissary operations were deemed necessary support to service members
and their families.

Most stateside stores had previously closed Oct. 2 as part of the government shutdown.
Overseas commissaries had been allowed to remain open.

Returning to regular schedules on Monday, Oct. 7, means stores normally open on that
day will serve customers. Those stores that are normally closed on Mondays will be
open on their normal operating schedule. Customers should check their store’s Web page
on www.commissaries.com for their store’s operating schedule.

“We recognize the disruption that the shutdown presented to our stateside patrons as far
as access to their commissary benefit,” Jeu added.

Since the shutdown began, about 11,000 of DeCA’s more than 16,000 employees were
furloughed. The path to stateside commissaries reopening began upon President Obama’s
signing of the Pay Our Military Act into law. DOD subsequently determined the
legislation did “allow the Department of Defense to eliminate furloughs for
employees whose responsibilities contribute to the morale, well-being, capabilities
and readiness of service members.”

With all commissaries open, Jeu asked that patrons be patient as product delivery
schedules return to normal.

“We will do everything possible to ensure that our shelves are properly stocked with
the products our customers want when they shop,” he said. “However, there will be a
short adjustment period as
our stores settle back into their pre-shutdown operating and delivery routines.”