Non-veterans seeking to impose mandate on veterans
To the editor :
Once again a contingent of non-veterans is seeking to impose a mandate on veterans. Members of Post 136 provide a very inexpensive watering hole in St. James City. It appears our guests want better treatment. A cleaner environ to enjoy our largess.
Well, many of those “clean” enthusiasts were not present when Post 136 member veterans were cleaning things like barracks and bilges and our enemies’ clocks.
As it stands , they far outnumber veterans frequenting the lounge at Post 136. Some say that number could increase as a “smoking ban” will increase business.
To that I ask, “What good does that do a veteran?”
The size of the “business” done by the lounge should, in my humble opinion , be mirrored in benefits directly to local veterans. We know this is no where near the case and any increase in business only serves business.
Twenty two veterans take their own life every day. Post traumatic stress syndrome is only now being addressed. One aspect of treatment for this malady is contact with other veterans. Men and women who have heard orders given and followed them. Certainly being ordered not to smoke in our private space in order to accommodate guests and increase business, is not in the best interest of the veteran.
“What would be in the best interest of the veteran?” is the question the business builders and the guests seeking a non-smoking environment should be asking.
Increase business by remaining open the hours the law allows.
Smoke if you got em!
Martin Hastings
St James City