A shocking event at a Walmart store in Arizona started a national conversation about soldiers’ rights, respect, and business policy. John Harkness, a retired Marine, and his wife Lynn were collecting toys for Toys for Tots, a programme that helps kids who don’t have much enjoy the holiday season.
People had stood outside the shop for years, with John wearing his Marine uniform with pride, without any problems. This year, though, a Walmart worker told them to leave because the uniforms might “frighten” customers and be against store policy.
The news shocked John and Lynn, who felt hurt and offended. “I’ve served my community and country in this uniform,” he said. Lynn added, “It’s about the kids, not us,” to stress how important their goal was.
Someone outside the fight recorded it on video and shared it on social media with the words “This is how we treat our veterans?” The video quickly went viral, making people angry and leading to calls to stop shopping at Walmart.
As the negative feedback grew, Walmart released a statement explaining their strategy. This was followed by a formal apology from the CEO. The company gave $50,000 to Toys for Tots and said again that it would help military families.
A lot of people in the neighbourhood came out to support John and Lynn after the controversy. Businesses in the area opened their doors for fundraising events, and the amount of money donated to Toys for Tots broke all marks.
John was given a special recognition by a Marine Corps Reserve unit for his service to the cause. The superior officer said, “John’s determination in the face of hardship shows us what true selfless service means.”
John thought, “The support has been amazing, but what happened was disappointing.” It might be worth it if it brings attention to Toys for Tots. The people in the community are behind John and Lynn in their goal and won’t let the incident get in the way of their giving.
As the holidays get closer, their story is a powerful reminder of how important it is to respect and honour our heroes and how much help those who serve need from the community.
