Veterans and Participation in Publicity Stunts

Pat Tillman and his brother Kevin refused to be interviewed after they enlisted “for fear that their decision will be interpreted as a publicity stunt.”

Elsewhere- many are good with it.

KOMO News video: Nine military vets were treated to a supermarket shopping spree in Lakewood.

Is there a perception that people who did time in uniform are needy or disadvantaged? This news report gives us no hint as to how these veterans were selected. Was this a publicity stunt for the local NFL team? Newspeople play along by not asking questions.

Another story with zero information or reporting on how these families were selected:

Military families get surprise $1,300 grocery shopping spree

From comments: “Thank you for supporting our troops. More company’s need to help out our troops.”

Retail marketing strategy update:

Veteran hassled over veteran parking spot at the grocery store.

Veteran reports incident to store manager.

Veteran returns to store to get thanks for his service, a cake and $100 in gift cards:

“On behalf of Harris Teeter I know we’re happy to have you as a customer and protecting the country for us,” Roy Bunn, store manager, told Boyle on Thursday evening. “For the incident, we deeply apologize for that.”

“This person who wrote this note on my car was given that right to be able to do that because of what I did.”

People in uniform give rights?

More here:

Cure the Military-Civilian Divide?