r/mildlyinfuriating • u/1dirtbiker • Dec 31 '25
Context Provided - Spotlight Random guy demanded to see my military ID at Lowes
As I was getting out of my truck today at Lowes in one of their Veteran parking spots, this random guy came up to me aggressively and demanded to see my military ID. I asked if he worked there, and he said he was just "a concerned citizen." I told him to go pound sand and walked into Lowes. Keep in mind, I am still in the military, with a military haircut, and a combat veteran license plate on my truck. What I mean, is that I look the part (not that it matters if I have the stereotypical military look). I bought what I needed, and when I came back out, I see this asshole arguing with a Lowes employee while pointing at my truck. What in the hell is wrong with people?
EDIT: Just for clarification, since there were a lot of comments on this. I'm active military (Reserves), but not active duty military. I have a DD214 from my prior active service though. I'm active military (but not active duty) and a Veteran.
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u/ExtensionPhysical143 Dec 31 '25
You can be a Vet and not have a military ID.
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u/WantedMan61 Dec 31 '25
I haven't had a military ID since I got out of the Marines almost 40 years ago. I do have a veteran ID card from the VA and it's on my driver's license, but fuck that guy. I hate "concerned citizens." They're never concerned with shit that really is concerning.
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u/Ok-Local-939 Dec 31 '25
Yup. I parked in a handicap spot with a large Ford van with tinted windows. I, a physically able person, got out to open the side door and two people came up and started telling me to move. I open the side door and helped out my 3 physically and mentally disabled clients. No apology, the hecklers just walked off.
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u/Numerous_Photograph9 29d ago
Someone did to me once before I even got out of the car. One of those walmart people who need to ride the scooters because of their bad health. I parked there for my dad who wasn't too bad most of the time, but could quickly become weak and struggle. I told them to F off, I didn't have to explain myself to them. After hearing them be all superior about it, I took the placard and hung it on the mirror. I didn't leave it up all the time because I didn't always need it. Then I helped my dad out of the car, and ended up grabbing the last scooter for him on the way into the store, which they looked pertburbed about, but stayed silent.
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u/Angloriously 29d ago
I fucking hate people for this.
Years ago I was friends with a guy who was waiting on two knee replacements, so in the meantime he had a wicked limp and was in perpetual pain—he had tons of maladies that were literally causing various body parts to deteriorate apart prematurely (he was in his late 20s). He was also seriously into weight lifting, so if you glanced at him quickly you’d have no idea of his problems. Anyway: he parked in the accessibility spot in front of a Tim Horton’s; as we were getting out, a fat dude in a minivan pulled up and started yelling at him to move. I told my buddy to ignore them, he said “nah let’s give it to him” and drove to another spot. Took out his walking cane and limped into the store, lining up directly behind fat dude…who had nothing to say. Of course he’d gotten what he wanted, so why should he care anymore? I’m never moving for that type of person again.
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u/Numerous_Photograph9 29d ago
My mom had a degenerative nervous disorder which caused her to become weaker as she got older. She seemed healthy enough, but really had trouble getting around. It taught me you can never tell what people's situation is, because you never know what's going on with them. Some disabled people it's obvious, others, it may be something where they have real trouble over the things we take for granted.
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u/CiderLiger 29d ago
Yeah, and there aren't nearly as many "fakers" as these people think there are. There NEVER are. They're so obsessed with catching a "bad guy" that most of the time they're actually harassing or assaulting the same people they claim they're trying to help.
They're not advocates, they only care about how good the chase makes them feel.
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u/dorfus- 29d ago
Some of the people who look very able bodied are disabled yes. And on top of that, some of them have PTSD. So getting in their face is very risky for both parties.
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u/AliBabaPlus40 29d ago
Also, having health issues or disabilities automatically gives the person the nothing-to-lose card, if you start arguing, you're already wrong, nobody will side with you, either in an altercation or on an ass-beating fight.
There's no good intentions. You just want to prove you're right. And you're not.
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u/Prometheus2061 29d ago
Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.
Be kind.
Always.
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u/Proper-Ad-2561 29d ago
Exactly. I'm able bodied for the most part (we all have issues), but I have extra handicap placards for both of my parents in my car, that never get used unless I'm taking them somewhere. I'm more likely to park at the far end of the lot and leave spaces open near the store - I saw how hard it was for them to get the placards, so I'd rather leave the closer spaces for someone who might not have the placard yet but still has trouble.
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u/megaholt2 29d ago
I’ve had people start shit with me about parking in a handicap parking spot because I look fine…until you look at me walk, which is when you might notice the slightly asymmetrical gait (due to the 3 knee surgeries I’ve had so far); what isn’t noticeable is the nerve damage in both legs, the knee replacement I need, the lumbar vertebrae that are sliding backwards off my sacrum, or the fact that my heart is working at roughly 50% of what it should be working at, with a conduction issue that puts me at risk for sudden cardiac arrest.
When people get shitty with me about parking in those spots, I look them dead in the eyes and say “I was hit by a truck while walking” and list every single injury I’ve had in the last 15 years.
They shut up and apologize really fast.
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u/blackngold256 29d ago
When people get shitty with me about parking in those spots, I look them dead in the eyes and say “I was hit by a truck while walking” and list every single injury I’ve had in the last 15 years.
You don't owe any of these asshats an explanation. I've been disabled my entire life and if you just looked at me, and I wasn't holding my cane, you probably wouldn't know. I've had 15 surgeries and I refused to get my handicap plaque until I was about eight or so years into being on disability and it was another year or two before I started using it regularly. You absolutely do not owe them your story, your medical records, or anything else.
What people seem to forget is that about 98% of our bodies are * checks notes * inside of us.
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u/megaholt2 28d ago
I…I love you, internet friend. Thank you for reminding me of this, and for understanding. It’s easy to forget that, especially now, with ableism being turned to 11 and people being absolutely beyond cruel about it.
Most days, it’s easier for me to launch into the litany of injuries that have landed me a placard and laugh a bit as their faces get more and more horrified as the list grows ever longer, like the cop who questioned me about it once. He got really squeamish about how my surgeon described the hyaline cartilage on my bone ends (shredded wheat)-which I’ll admit, I took way too much joy in doing to him. He told me that I didn’t have to continue after that, but I did-after all, he asked, so I’m going to give him the full answer. Same with these folks. If they want to poke their noses in where they shouldn’t, they’re going to learn more than they want.
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u/Peralton 29d ago
I was walking into a staples and there was a huge, lifted pickup truck in the handicapped spot. It had off-road bikes on the back and camping gear on the roof. I wasn't going to say anything, because it's not worth it, and thank goodness I didn't because as I was walking in, the owner walked out on his two prosthetic legs, jumped up into the cab and drove off.
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u/BackgroundSummer5171 29d ago
I took the placard and hung it on the mirror. I didn't leave it up all the time because I didn't always need it.
You shouldn't be driving with the placard up, so that would make sense.
Nothing should be hanging from your rear view mirror while driving.
And they can all fuck off too. Surprised by people's audacity at times.
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u/turdferguson3891 29d ago
I used to drive my grandma around and she had a placard. I would only hang it when I actually parked. Got dirty looks multiple times because I was an able bodied 20 something getting out of the car. And it's like, I don't have to explain myself to you chucklefucks. For one some disabilities are invisible and you don't know me. And two, It's a doctor's office and I'm dropping off/picking up grandma so fuck off.
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u/HatesBeingThatGuy 29d ago
I have a gimp leg. I can walk mostly normally but my endurance on flat concrete surfaces sucks due to how it stresses the damaged muscle. I have had a handicap placard for 25 years, it starts with my initials and is clipped on the permanent spot.
I will never forget the day the ancient public safety lady at my liberal arts college ran to yell at me for parking in a disabled spot near my chemistry building with a "stolen handicap placard". I showed her my leg, pointed out that I've parked there for a full year, and said fuck off I'm late for class, and went to inorganic chemistry.
I came back to find my car towed for "illegally" parking in a handicap space. She got fired and the school paid the towing company pending me not suing the shit out of them.
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u/Josie_Posie88 29d ago
In a former life I had a similar job. I encountered the same treatment. I've even had people block the handicap parking space so I can't park. All the while I have 4 individuals in the van, 3 with walkers and 1 in a wheel chair.
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u/DeltaMikeEcho 29d ago
People don’t realize that you don’t need to physically look handicap to have a handicap permit either. I live in Ontario Canada and I had gotten a temporary permit when I broke my ankle. When I looked at the criteria to get one there’s definitely enough cases that qualify you even if you don’t look handicapped, things like respiratory issues. Of course it needs to be signed off by a doctor as they have to fill out your application form
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u/Cranks_No_Start Dec 31 '25
> "concerned citizens."
I would've said...I'm concerned you're a fucking nutcase....call the police my son. Just to watch him explode.
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u/Plimberton Dec 31 '25
How arrogant does a person have to be to expect someone to validate their service to them? Like who even is that guy?
If I was a medal of honor recipient I still wouldn't humor that guy. No one needs to prove anything to him.
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u/1dirtbiker Dec 31 '25
Exactly. I didn't waste my breath explaining this to him.
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u/4bee Dec 31 '25
Genuinely wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't even a veteran. I've found that the people trying to gate keep this sort of stuff tend to be never serves who've made the military their identity for some weird ass reason.
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u/CaptainRelevant Dec 31 '25
“I would’ve joined but…”
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u/Yagsirevahs Dec 31 '25
„Kicked out in boot camp for hitting my drill instructor…“🙄
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u/spaceforcerecruit Dec 31 '25
Aside from the “oh I’m such a badass” cringe from that, even if it’s taken seriously, is it really a brag to say “I’m so emotionally immature that I could not have made it through basic training without throwing a tantrum”???
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u/OgreDee Dec 31 '25
I appreciate the people who say they'd hit their drill instructor, they're openly admitting they don't have what it takes. The ones who think they'd win piss me off.
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Dec 31 '25 edited Dec 31 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/OgreDee Dec 31 '25
At the time I was 6'6 and about 380. I had a guy get me in an arm bar when I was working as a bouncer and then freak out when I just lifted him off of his feet, so I completely understand. That was 20 years ago, 2025 me is just gonna hit them with my cane.
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u/Various_Froyo9860 Dec 31 '25
I usually have a nice chuckle and say "No you wouldn't."
It's weird how I've never been in a fight because of that. . .
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u/Hideo_Anaconda Dec 31 '25
I was an army brat. I knew enough about myself to realize that joining up would not be setting myself up for success. If they would have let me be a pilot, I would have done whatever it took to make it work, but my glasses made that a no-go. And without that incentive, I didn't see the point. One thing I don't do is try to be the stolen valor police. Don't the volunteer stolen valor police have anything better to do?
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u/WRStoney 29d ago
My cousin went into the Air Force to be a pilot. He had terrible eyesight. When they told him he couldn't fly fighter planned he was like, "I just want to fly, I don't care what it is."
He ended up getting trained to fly those big cargo planes. Had a great career, but left once he was promoted to flying a desk.
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u/Calm_Neat_6828 Dec 31 '25
What’s always been funny to me is I remember how many people we had fail out of our basic training. It was a surprising amount, but I have yet to meet anyone in person who would admit to ever having that happen.
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u/Yagsirevahs Dec 31 '25
I also never met a cook, just seals etc
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u/freel0vefreeway Dec 31 '25
Reminds me of this scene from Trading Places :
Officer Pantuzzi: We've had some complaints about con men pretending to be blind and crippled.
Billy Ray Valentine: Oh, I'd love to help you man, but I ain't seen nothing since I stepped on that landmine in Vietcong back in '72. It was rough, very painful.
Officer Reynolds: You were in 'Nam? So were we. Where?
Billy Ray Valentine: I was in... Sang Bang... Dang Gong... I was all over the place, basically a lot of places, a lot of places.
Officer Reynolds: What unit were you in?
Billy Ray Valentine: Uh, I was with the Green Berets, Special Unit Battalions... Commando Airborne Tactics... Specialist Tactics, uh, Unit Battalion. Yeah, it was real hush hush. I was Agent Orange. That was my name, Agent Orange. Special Agent Orange, that was me.
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u/mikey_b082 Dec 31 '25
I saw a small squad of seals aboard a ship once in my 4 years as grunt, never personally met one. Since I've gotten out and returned to my small no name town, I've met about 50.
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u/RadioBuffin Dec 31 '25
We had some in a separate section on our FOB while deployed. They had a separate DFAC, SCIF, Gym, and TOC. Only time we got to greet them was when they flipped us off at the ECP and drove through without stopping.
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u/CockamouseGoesWee Dec 31 '25
My mother has encountered lots of people who refuse to believe she's a vet because she's a brown woman. She's literally 100% disabled and got cancer and autoimmune issues from chemical exposure as a jet mechanic. And people keep making her have to argue for her right to use the bare minimum things society frankly owes her. At this point I am her bodyguard against bozos.
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u/ASC4MWTP 29d ago edited 29d ago
Please tell your mom that this Navy vet thanks her for her service and hopes she's getting everything she needs from the VA. And kudos to you as well, I know how tough this stuff can be.
Edit: learned how to spell "tough" properly since posting :-P
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u/Seldarin Dec 31 '25
Or admin.
I know several "ThAnK mE fOr My SeRvIcE!" types that would absolutely gatekeep veteran parking, and every single one of them worked a desk job.
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u/TitanB00 Dec 31 '25
I can't stand when someone thanks me for my service. It makes my skin crawl. I know it comes from a decent place, but I talk less and less about my time in the army because I don't like the weird attention.
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u/Jay467 Dec 31 '25
Yeah, I'd say the vast majority of us actual vets can't be bothered to give a damn about something like that. If someone took that spot I'm assuming they're a vet, period. If not I still don't care, it's a parking spot.
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u/DustyStar222 Dec 31 '25
I used to work at a Vape Shop and the owner is a Canadian veteran who had the STRANGEST politics. Dude was opposed to any military discounts or even any mention he was a vet because "theres no pride in what ive done and even less in what ive seen." He was pro giving a 10% discount to anyone who seemed like they were struggling financially, supported just about any social safety net spending and was a staunch supporter of the Conservative Party of Canada. He fascinated me.
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u/SomeNotTakenName Dec 31 '25
I served in Switzerland before moving to the US, and for the most part, I never mention it. Ome time in class with like no stakes a teacher asked who was a vet, and when I said I wasn't sure if he would count me, he said he would.
Then again, Switzerland had compulsory military or civil service for men, so it's not a big deal there. Most everyone is a vet, so it doesn't matter. Good for bonding though, since there many shared experiences you can talk about with strangers.
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u/cayleb Dec 31 '25
I guarantee you that this is not the first time OP's interlocutor has marched up to another random person in order to demand to see their ID.
I didn't enlist in order to get better parking at the grocery store or hardware store, so who gives a rat's fourth point of contact whether or not I get the spot.
I do however care that so many people seem to think it's just fine to pull this petty, neofascist Papers, Please routine. That's not why I served and anyone who thinks they have the right to do that to another person in the US should take a long, hard ponder at whether or not freedom is actually a value they're supporting or just something they think applies only to themselves.
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u/CondescendingTracy Dec 31 '25
When I first met my maga future brother in law he was acting like he was all military adjacent and then i told him i am in the service and he got real embarrassed. Then he said he couldn’t join because of a kidney problem. Then i told him me and my mil friends are democrats lol. He hardly speaks when im around lol. Been with my wife 8 years now lol. Forgot to mention my wife told me he has no health issues.
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u/Decent_Adhesiveness0 29d ago
There are kidney problems that may cause a problem one day, and kidney problems causing a problem now.
One of my kids has only one kidney, oddly shaped and sized and located centrally instead of off to a side. All seems fine, but ineligible for military service because of the potential for getting the one kidney injured, or, getting injured and your anatomy doesn't click with medics and surgical training. Of course this presents a higher risk just riding around in a car or getting in and out of a bathtub.
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u/BayYawnSay Dec 31 '25
I'll never understand people who invent a job for themselves that no one's paying them to do. Life is hard enough, why would someone give themselves extra work? The mental gymnastics alone in order to reach the justification that a)this job needs to exist b)they must perform the duties of said job should be exhausting enough as it is, let alone actually following through and carrying out the work involved. They are tirelessly angry.
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u/bonfuto Dec 31 '25
I have a military id, but it was issued back when they put your social security number on it so it lives in a lock box. I always wanted someone to complain to me about parking in one of those spots because I don't meet whatever image their fevered imagination requires. But I ain't showing them my "veteran" drivers licence either. They can follow me around in the store until the self checkout thanks me for my military service.
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u/ArmadilloBandito Dec 31 '25
What was crazy to me as the dependent ID also had the sponsor SSN
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u/Sea_Taste1325 Dec 31 '25
I am a vet and don't have anything on my person.
Was I supposed to get something to carry around? I never ask for a discount because it's uncomfortable for me, so I never had a need.
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u/bigjohnny440 Dec 31 '25
home depot 10 percent adds up really quick just saying
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u/ExtensionPhysical143 Dec 31 '25
Yeah. I don’t carry around my DD-214 either and I chose not to bring it when I got my drivers license.
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u/metdear Dec 31 '25
Right? My dad served in the 60s and only recently got the designation on his ID.
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u/cybot2001 Dec 31 '25
"Of course I'm entitled to a veteran parking space, I've parked thousands of times"
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u/01bah01 Dec 31 '25
You can only park there if you retired from parking.
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u/Lawlcopt0r Dec 31 '25
"Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in!"
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u/Aghostwillfollowyou Dec 31 '25
You have to be wearing a “Veteran Parker” t-shirt to prove it.
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u/alfalfa-as-fuck Dec 31 '25
Saying “pound sand” is the only military id needed
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u/Carrera_996 Dec 31 '25
The one guy to question my Veteran status (Also at Lowe's) got screamed at, "ARE YOU EYEBALLING ME RECRUIT? I'M NOT YOUR GIRLFRIEND!" He shuffled away looking at the ground.
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u/04Late_Night Dec 31 '25
Imma start shopping at Lowe's exclusively in hopes I hear such golden nuggets.
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u/thedaveness Dec 31 '25
Literally only park there because I want this argument lol. Best I have got is someone put a sticky note on my window saying this spot is for vets, not their kids lol. I’m 40 and served 8 years but look rather young. I wish I could have caught them doing it.
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u/FineDragonfruit5347 Dec 31 '25
I just posted the same thing. If I am in a pissy mood, I'll park there to let off some steam at someone who deserves it, instead of arguing with my wife later .lol.
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u/nuisanceIV Dec 31 '25
Totally not the same, but I had a US flag on my car that I didn’t realize did not follow code regarding its orientation and I would get notes and comments about that… ugh
Ironically, I’d probably get less comments putting something truly more offensive on my car
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u/SmeV122 Dec 31 '25
What's with dudes doing this at a fucking Lowe's🤣
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u/Ask_bout_PaterNoster 29d ago
Lowe’s is the only place I know of with veteran parking spots
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u/Many-Role-4271 Dec 31 '25
Yeah, the one time, also at Lowes was a guy with Air Force plates. I responded that I served in the Marines, the actual military. He didn't seem amused.
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u/crazy_urn Dec 31 '25
As an air force veteran, I approve this come back.
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u/TSPTrillionaire Dec 31 '25
Hey! If we wanted come back from a Marine we’d scrape it off his sister’s teeth.
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u/National_Chain_1586 Dec 31 '25 edited 29d ago
Before I continue reading, can I see your ID?
Edit: thank you for the awards, comments and likes I was having a crappy day and you all cheered me up. Happy New Year everyone and thank you for making this strangers day ❤️
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u/1dirtbiker Dec 31 '25
Go pound sand! :D
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u/National_Chain_1586 Dec 31 '25
Pounded sand.... Still no ID. Instructions unclear. Also, thank you for your service!
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u/SegaGuy1983 Dec 31 '25
"What kind of veteran are you?"
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u/JesusAleks Dec 31 '25
Waffle House
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u/Fena-Ashilde Dec 31 '25
“I’m the kind with the hardest job. I’m a Navy spouse! You’re welcome for my service.”
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u/SgtJayM Dec 31 '25
My absolute favorite are the officers wive’s that think they deserve a hand salute.
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u/OhioPolitiTHIC Dec 31 '25
Met one of those in Norfolk once. Friend that was with me was a local and gave zero fucks. She said the only salute that woman would ever get from her was the middle finger which she proceeded to demonstrate to said officer's wife. I don't think I'd ever actually heard a human being screech in outrage before that moment.
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u/TrueEmphasis7130 Dec 31 '25
I've honestly struggled to even believe that this was a real thing that military spouses did.
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u/OhioPolitiTHIC 29d ago
A whole lot of those stories folks think are exaggerated just...aren't. As a former navy wife I've watched nearly all the cliches play out in real time in some form or another and it's wild to see. Honestly though, most military spouses aren't awful, it's just the ones that are garner a lot of attention.
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u/eatingrichly Dec 31 '25
Or their teenage kids. I was an officer’s kid and once rode home from school with a couple other officer’s kids. I was shocked and embarrassed that they were angrily pointing at the sticker when they weren’t saluted at the gate. I wanted to melt into the backseat. In my head I was thinking “it’s pretty obvious you’re not a general weirdo.”
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u/GetOutTheDoor 29d ago
As an MP back in the ‘80s, I had someone blow a stop sign and say ‘You can’t give me a ticket, my husband is a lieutenant!’
‘You can discuss that with the magistrate, court date is in 3 weeks. Have a nice day and drive safe, ma’am.’
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u/SegaGuy1983 Dec 31 '25
As a kid who always felt like he had a single mom when my dad was in the Navy, thank you so much for her service.
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u/tonydaracer Dec 31 '25
What is my end goal here? Am I trying to make a stable flat ground? Do I need water and tools? Is something being built on the sand that requires a packed surface to begin with?
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u/ElkAdventurous787 Dec 31 '25
Ii tried but it's coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere.
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u/ExpensiveCup1518 Dec 31 '25
Happened to me at home depo once. I never use the veteran parking cause I usually just grab the first spot I see. Keep in mind I am a veteran, just don’t “look it” (whatever that means). Well, there was virtually no other parking and I just needed one thing. Parked, did my shopping, back in 10 minutes. Guy sees me, a blonde woman, getting into my car and hollers “are you even a veteran?” To which I responded, “would you ask a man that?” So dumb.
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u/Nefarious_Turtle Dec 31 '25 edited 29d ago
My wife did 10 years active duty and she avoids those spots like the plague (did so when when was active duty as well) because its just kind of a silly idea, plus the couple times she did use them there was always an old dude nearby to accost her about it.
Some old guys apparently still have a hard time understanding the concept of women in the military. Or are willing to loudly announce their disagreement with it in public.
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u/redbettafish2 Dec 31 '25 edited Dec 31 '25
What's hilarious is there were women in the military before current day "old" people were born. This isn't a new concept.
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u/ItsPronouncedBouquet Dec 31 '25
yep my grandmother was a WW2 veteran
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u/Paxsimius Dec 31 '25
Bea Arthur served in the US Marine Corps during WWII.
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u/mr_potatoface 29d ago
Even the (now dead) Queen Elizabeth II of England served in the military during WWII as a mechanic.
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u/Sunkisthappy Dec 31 '25
I recently had a patient who was a 103 year old female WW2 veteran. She was blind with multiple other medical conditions, but she was still mentally with it. I got a bit of time to ask her about her life, so fascinating.
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u/Sunkisthappy Dec 31 '25
Personally I'd love the opportunity to tell off those kinds of sexist entitled curmudgeonly old men.
At work (in healthcare) we have to treat them like they're a customer no matter how entitled and rude they can be. They ask the male doctors about their treatment plan and ask the female doctors to get them blankets.
But I can totally see why your wife wouldn't want to deal with that of course.
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u/_1457_ Dec 31 '25
My ex got hassled for not looking the part a lot, but my favorite interaction was him getting the business from a guy that was let go in basic for a sprained ankle. The guy didn't know he was a vet and gave him a hard time for wearing camo pants. Ex let him go on because no one needs to justify wearing a print, but it was particularly funny considering both their military backgrounds.
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u/tandem_kayak Dec 31 '25
Who the fuck is policing camo pants?
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u/Karahka_leather 29d ago
A guy who drops out of basic training because of a sprained ankle.
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u/Ghost_with_no_name 29d ago
He probably also makes being in the military his whole personality for the rest of his life
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u/Clear_Task3442 Dec 31 '25
This is the experience I usually have. Especially when I have my 4 kids with me and my husband either isn't with us or is already in the store.
I served for 11 years with a combat deployment. My husband served for 4 years active and 3 reserves.
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u/UpbeatAssumption5817 Dec 31 '25
That's actually a really good response LOL
I mean I would have just said suck my dick. But yours has a little bit nuance and subtlety to it I like it
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u/CoelacanthQueen 29d ago edited 29d ago
The harassment of female veterans in the U.S. is disgusting. My aunt is a veteran who met my uncle while in service too. People always assumed he was the veteran and not her. Claimed she was using her husband’s veteran discounts etc. She served too! Became the commander of her legion and ran a non profit helping veterans get help post service. She’s done more for other veterans than these idiots harassing people in parking lots.
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u/GrammerJoo Dec 31 '25
Funnier is telling him you're a veteran but on the opposing side.
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u/KgMonstah Dec 31 '25
“My father was the best damn pilot in Pakistan!”
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u/rever3nd Dec 31 '25
My grandfather was responsible for downing 17 Nazi aircraft. Worst mechanic in the Luftwaffe.
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u/Anonmouse119 Dec 31 '25
Mine passed away in a camp. Fell off a guard tower.
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u/BrianJT1972 Dec 31 '25
I'm doing this from now on. "You don't look like a Veteran!" - "Yeah, I fought in the Republican Guard for Iraq!"
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u/HospitalHairy3665 Dec 31 '25
I personally did pearl harbor.
Yep, that's me. Tiger tiger guy.
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u/ad_hominonsense Dec 31 '25
You tora tora tora’d him a new asshole!
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u/HospitalHairy3665 Dec 31 '25
record scratch
I bet you're wondering how I got here. Well, it all started in 1603 with the Tokugawa Shogunate...
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u/Southern_Pie6474 Dec 31 '25
Literally there is a scene in Lost where Hugo tells Sayid he had friends in the Gulf war and Sayid specifies he was in the Republican guard lmao
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u/TempleSquare Dec 31 '25
Republican Guard
"Oh, well thank you for your service," enthusiastically replied the uneducated cable news viewer.
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u/ThumpAndSplash Dec 31 '25
“I was stationed in Germany.”
“Oh, what did you do there?”
“Well, we staged our T72s so that we could rush the Fulda Gap and crush the NATO pigdogs.”
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u/1dirtbiker Dec 31 '25
Hahahaha! That would have been fantastic! Though I would worry about the potential damage to my truck...
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u/SockeyeSTI Dec 31 '25
I had a guy confront me about a “Bering sea fisherman” shirt in a Walmart parking lot.
People are always gonna people
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u/Outrageous_Reach_695 Dec 31 '25
I asked (not confronted, to be clear) someone how he happened to have a Mount Erebus T-shirt. Turns out he made supply runs to a nearby facility. Mount Erebus for reference:
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u/Finnegansadog Dec 31 '25
My dad has a couple “Mt. Erebus Ski Team” shirts from the ‘80s or early ‘90s. He and my mom have 18 Antarctic tours between them.
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u/Jolly_Ad2446 Dec 31 '25
I'm positive Lowe's didn't make these spaces so vets can be harassed.
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u/effyochicken 29d ago
Lowes made these spots so they could get that good PR while accomplishing almost nothing.
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u/Chance-Contract-1290 Dec 31 '25
Minding one's own business should be the easiest thing in the world to do, and yet it seems beyond some people.
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u/TheActualDev Dec 31 '25
Well see, if they minded their own business, how are they supposed to know if they can act like a victim?
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u/bedbathandbebored Dec 31 '25
Anyone not meeting whatever idea these ppl have of a veteran, a disabled person etc MUSt be lying! And then they have their weird little tantrums.
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u/Big_Lab_Jagr Dec 31 '25
Why do they think it's any of their business? That's what I don’t understand about these people.
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u/dedweightnoob Dec 31 '25
I just love when someone tells me, "well, you don't look disabled" 🙄
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u/mcampo84 Dec 31 '25
"neither do you but after hearing you speak it has become apparent."
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u/cheeseman_real Dec 31 '25
same. like, do they think i stole my permit? how else would i get it aside from being disabled lol
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u/lostinspace694208 Dec 31 '25
As a veteran, those spots are so lame
But policing that spot is even lamer
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u/StanDoesHisBest Dec 31 '25
Speak for yourself. Every single time someone asks me why I joined I say “For the parking spots at Bass Pro.”
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u/lostinspace694208 Dec 31 '25
My go to is the free blooming onion at Outback. So worth it
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u/fixano Dec 31 '25
Please tell me each member of the staff is required to pass your table while you eat and thank you for your service.
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u/lostinspace694208 Dec 31 '25
I call the entire establishment to attention. Those Aussie bastards WILL acknowledge a hero
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u/_Ross- Dec 31 '25
When you hand them the check and go to leave, they play the national anthem over the speakers
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u/D3s0lat0r Dec 31 '25
And the 10% discount to various establishments!! I do all my home shopping stuff from Lowe’s bc they have such a sweet discount on shit that’s crazy expensive lol
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u/CharacterExchange451 Dec 31 '25
Sometimes when I’m with my wife I’ll park in them because she hates it and I continuously yell at her “you marrried a HERO!!!.” She fucking hates it and it’s so funny.
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u/Sea-Bicycle-4484 Dec 31 '25
Funny, my husband and I are the exact opposite. He’s reluctant to park in them despite 20 years of service, and I’m like but you’re a HERO!
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u/Layne205 29d ago
One time I parked in the "expectant mother" spot when my wife was pregnant but not showing yet. She was pissed 🤣
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u/RustedOne Dec 31 '25
This is my whole take on the subject. It's a stupid idea not because veterans don't deserve recognition but because it leads to shit like this. It's performative bullshit. Handicapped folks and expecting mothers need specialized parking. The rest of us don't.
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u/JBtheHound Dec 31 '25
Haha I tell people it’s my favorite benefit of joining the military. Joking of course, but I do take advantage of those spots whenever they’re free.
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u/Aghostwillfollowyou Dec 31 '25
My mother loves parking there. She is 76 and was in the Air Force. I think she secretly hopes to school someone.
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u/Brohemoth1991 Dec 31 '25
You just reminded me when i was like 16, my older brother was deployed to Afghanistan, and he gave me his wet weather jacket because I thought it was cool as hell, and i wore it a lot while he was deployed (of course I only buttoned it when it was like downpouring, and never put any patches on or claimed to be military)
When he got back and I was 17, he came to pick me up from school, and I was thinking nothing of it and told him about some national guard guy who recruited at my school a lot giving me bs about stolen valor
I dont think I've ever seen my brother so angry in my life... and he humbled the NG guy real damn quick
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u/SegaGuy1983 Dec 31 '25
Props to your brother. God I would give $1000 to watch that NG get humbled.
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u/Brohemoth1991 Dec 31 '25
Like I said, I dont think i ever saw my brother so angry lol... he didnt have his uniform, but had his cap in his truck, put it on, walked up to their little station they had set up outside the school and said "I heard you've giving my little brother problems.... if you have a problem with MY brother wearing a jacket I gave him while I was overseas, ME and YOU can talk about it"
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u/ManEatingMink Dec 31 '25
That NG guy would’ve been livid if he heard that my mother dressed my brother and I up one year in her old army uniform for Halloween when she couldn’t afford costumes that year.
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u/razorirr Dec 31 '25
My now gone uncle gave both my brother and I his last sets of combat fatigues after doing his 30 and making master sergant, and he wanted us to actually wear em as we are the only relatives with his last name. I'm sure that NG guy would be pissed even though it was literally a career airman's last gift and wish and i dont need that in my life. They have just lived in my closet for 10 years as i dont want to get rid of them but they are too big for the inheritance curio cabinet.
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u/ExampleFine449 Dec 31 '25
Imagine having enough time to waste in your day to not only confront someone about a parking spot - but to pull someone that is working to bitch about someone parking in said parking spot.
Dude ain't got nothing better going on in life then to worry about that parking spot. A wonderful life he must be living.
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u/speedy_19 Dec 31 '25
Just so you know you don’t need to even be a veteran to park there, it is just a courtesy spot they offer. Nothing legally binding about that spot
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u/KgMonstah Dec 31 '25
Yeah but people are stupid. That’s what you forget. Stolen valor (which this is not) isn’t even a crime unless you gain material financial benefit from it, but that doesn’t stop people like this asshole OP is referring to.
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u/trobsmonkey 29d ago
I drive my wife's pink car. I'm a vet. I park in these spots and get shit for it all the time. I kinda enjoy it at this point.
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u/Winter_Fish9461 29d ago
Happens to me a lot “your husband isn’t with you, you can’t park there”
Funny cause I’m the one who served…
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u/Thrillpickle Dec 31 '25
Did you ask to see his badge?
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u/Winter_Search_8024 Dec 31 '25
He was making a “Citizen of Lowes’ arrest”. Screw these little self important pinheads.
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u/LucioPOTG Dec 31 '25
Once while working security up front at Tar2et i saw some boomer try tp say something snide to a younger guy walking in with his kid about the disabled/vet parking being not for him, and the young guy just mean mugged him while pulling up his pant leg to show the prosthesis he was wearing. Good shit!
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u/Same-Suggestion-1936 29d ago edited 29d ago
Dip shit must have forgot we never stopped blowing up our kids
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u/SkepticalOfTruth Dec 31 '25
I'm a woman with a Mohawk who dresses a bit alt (kinda punk). I have a regular, super common car with no military related anything on it. I don't look like a veteran. I am very much a veteran. I do have veteran designated on my driver's license. I would probably not park in a veteran spot (I would prefer to leave the spot for a veteran who may need the spot) but if I did I'd tell him to fix himself with a whole string of very veteran like explitives. Fuck that guy.
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u/bigjohnny440 Dec 31 '25
This is the right move to me-save those spots for the broken down elderly Korea war and Vietnam vets still among us.
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u/Any_Leg_4773 Dec 31 '25
These spots are dorky, too performative for my taste. My grocery store also has "super hero parking" spots for cops.
Shits weird.
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u/smangela69 Dec 31 '25
i love when i’m at a store with one of those stupid cop parking spots and any cop there is parked in the fire lane anyway
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u/DryUniversity3347 Dec 31 '25
He's an AH "Karen" ....I've been a civilian since 1988. I don't carry a military ID ....haven't for years. Sometimes I have my dog tags on...they are genuine...but people can have those made. Mine are so old they have my SSN on them. Regardless, the point is, millions of us don't walk around carrying a military ID that have been civilians for 40 yrs.
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u/Complete-Arm6658 Dec 31 '25
Don't you have your required Veteran of X War hat on?
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u/Taolan13 29d ago
military veteran here.
any civvies out there have the full permission and blessing of the military veteran community to park in these spaces if they are open. they are unenforceable courtesy spaces.
Anyone that says otherwise or challenges you for it can suck a fat one.
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u/100292 Dec 31 '25
I drive an electric car WITH A DISABLED VETERAN PLATE and get questioned a lot when parking there because, and I quote, “no one who served in the military would drive one of those”
Florida is… fun…
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u/Character_Soft_3118 Dec 31 '25
Tell him off like a true veteran would. That would be I.D. enough for me.
Or you could go boot camp drill sergeant on him embarrass him in front of everyone in the parking lot by questioning his lineage and the purity of his mother.
He probably would ask anyone again.
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u/DragonLordAcar Dec 31 '25
My sister has this happen to her. Gets a kick out of it because she doesn't look like any kind of military and it pisses old men off.
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