A grocery store around us gives way $45 worth of free stuff if you spend $20. My dad usually takes me around to a couple of them. At the second one, the cashier, an older gentlemen, looked at my dad to see his service related ID. My dad wasn't in the service. My dad looked at the cashier and pointed to me saying I was the vet. The guy laughed and again asked for my dad's ID. I had my ID out and was showing it, and the guy just looked at me like I was holding a fake ID, and then again looked back at my dad.
Before my dad could get really angry, I grabbed him by the hand and said, "forget it, let's just go."
So we left, leaving all the items at the cashier. He started saying something, when a veteran who was in line behind us started telling the guy off. He too left his cart full of stuff with the cashier.
I fought back tears when the other vet, a retired Sergeant Major hugged me and apologized that I had been treated like that. Sadly I'm used to it. I won't sign up for the American Legion or VFW because of similar occurrences.
Years ago when i got back home, a Legion member asked me to sign up, they are always looking for new members. When I had got there, they all thought I was the spouse of a new member.
"Not married, just looking to join up."
"You? Seriously?"
"Yes, seriously!!" Should them my DD214, and then turned and walked out.