Posted on 07/13/2002 6:42:51 AM PDT by SheLion
Today, I sent my son-in-law to the Maine Smoke Shop in Brewer to buy some tobacco. He is 19 years old, and is in the military. The person at the counter asked for his ID, which I can understand. When she saw it, however, she showed it to the owner, and the owner said, “That’s no good, get out of here.”
My son-in-law told me several places in Bangor will not accept his military ID. What is wrong with this town? I will ask everyone else just as I asked the owner of that shop when I called him: Do you not appreciate having your country protected by our boys?
I am from a military family. My father was retired military, and I was born in Bangor, but I am ashamed of how most of the businesses in this town act and treat their customers. This is the most unappreciative town I have ever lived in, and I have lived in many.
Our military men and women should be treated with respect, as should any customer. To tell someone to get our of their store because of their ID is an embarrassment. Do they treat all military personnel that way? Judging by the economy around here, they should be kissing their feet, for more reasons than just that they are protecting us. I informed the Maine Smoke Shop that they just lost a customer because of their attitude, and if I didn’t live here now, and need some of the other stores around here, I would tell them the same.
Donna George
Carmel
Military Dependent ID Card
THANK you!
THANK you, Joe! I was hoping you would see this thread.
A major freeping is very much in order here!
Honey, this isn’t about me. Donna George, from down around Bangor wrote this letter. I just posted it.
We went down to Togus ONCE back in the early 90’s. Haven’t been back.
Togus is about a 4 hour drive south of us. We have Champus and Champus supplement we use at our Doctor up here and at the local hospitals. Since Loring Air Force Base closed in 1994, we no longer have our own health care facility.
OK. Now I am prepared to be flamed for sucking free medical care off of the Tax Payers. Flame away!!
Honey, my hubby is also a Viet Nam Vet with two Purple Hearts. I sympathize with you with all my heart.
Very clear. Then age was NOT an issue. Then does this smoke shop consider Military ID unacceptable? That question has yet to be answered. If, and I stress if, this young man was denied service because he was in the military, FR should come down on him like a ton of bricks. However, in a heavily-regulated state like Maine, the owner may have doing some serious 'CYA', fearing a possible sting. We need more details.
Maine Legislature Title 22: HEALTH AND WELFARE
Subtitle 2: HEALTH
Part 3: PUBLIC HEALTH (HEADING: PL 1989, c. 487, @11 (rpr))
Chapter 262-A: RETAIL TOBACCO SALES (HEADING: ENACTED BY PL 1995, c. 470, @9)
Subchapter 2: PROHIBITED SALES, POSSESSION AND USE (HEADING: PL 1995, c. 470, @9 (new))
§1555-A. Identification cards
A licensee may refuse to sell tobacco to any person who fails to display upon request an identification card issued under Title 29-A, section 1410 or a motor vehicle operator's license bearing the photograph of the operator and issued under Title 29-A. [1997, c. 437, §2 (amd).]
Oh totally agree, I would wait for the Police to show up to show the store clerk I had a valid I.D. and would never leave any of my I.D.s with anyone for ANY REASON!
That clears up my question. I would hope that the shop owner would have explained the ID requirements to the GI.
To summarize, we know that they are scum. I suggest shopping elsewhere and publicizing this as far and as loud as you can, which you've just started. Good job and hold your head up high.
This article here has some names of people in your area that actually run or own smoke shops. Not sure if your guy is listed her. If nothing else, it may list some alternative shops for you.
Central Maine.com story on smoke shops. Good luck!
However, hubby is now retired, but when I had my "green" military card renewed in 1998, it is encased in such lamination, there is NO way anyone can tamper with it.
Plus, it has all my medical and commissary and bx privileges listed on it. And this one has a bunch of USA holograms under the lamination.
Plus, my photo, my height, my weight, color of hair and eyes.
Can't do the "feet kissing" thing. That will get them arrested and 2 1/2 yrs of jail time ;-)
Did you send this to Donna? I was hoping someone would know her and send her this thread. I do not know who she is, I just found her letter in the Bangor Daily News, but if I can find her email or mailing address, I will sure print this thread out and send it to her.
Minus some of the "snide" remarks, of course.
Thanks, jumpstartme! I appreciate that post!!!
All that shop owner did was tell the GI to GET OUT!
Listen: Joe doesn't even LIVE in Maine. And Joe's health or ANY of the smokers health is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.
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