Veteran Denied Promised Free Meal on Veteran’s Day
COVINGTON Tenn. — A West Tennessee Veteran who served for more than 13 years in the Navy was shocked when he was told his proof of service was not good enough for a promised free meal to veterans this Monday. Jeremy Clayton told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News he could not find his military I.D. so he showed his veteran affairs card. Clayton claims the store employee would not accept it. “I took it as she was calling me a liar, and basically saying you’re here trying to swindle a free Big Mac as a vet, and you’re not,” said Clayton. Clayton said he canceled the order and left, but then returned. This time, he recorded the whole conversation on his cell phone. “My thought was, I was going to take the video and put it on Facebook. Hopefully to get the attention of somebody higher up at McDonald’s,” said Clayton. As of Thursday night the video had nearly 70,000 shares. It got McDonald’s attention too, and Clayton said the store owner called to apologize. McDonald’s released this statement to WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News saying, “This week, my McDonald‘s restaurants participated in a Meals on Veteran‘s Day promotion. As an owner/operator, I am honored to serve all guests of the Armed Forces in my restaurants on Veteran‘s Day and every other day of the year. On Monday, approximately 120 veterans joined us to receive a free extra value meal and we are pleased they enjoyed the experience. However, during the event, a member of my restaurant staff made a simple yet unfortunate mistake in refusing a Veteran of the advertised meal after he provided appropriate identification. We regret the error and are now using this moment as an opportunity to educate all employees on ways we can provide the highest level of customer service to all Veterans as we participate in the promotion in the future. I have also reached out to the disappointed Veteran to offer a number of ways to rectify the misunderstanding and we are hoping an amiable solution can be identified quickly. McDonald‘s has a proud history of giving back to communities and to those that have already given us all so much. Our commitment to service, quality and value offers a strong connection to America‘s military men and women and their spouses over the years.” Dena Quertermous McDonald‘s Owner/Operator Covington, Tennessee Clayton said he was given four coupons to the store and has no hard feelings for the employee.
