Vet Told Buying A Poppy Just A Cash Grab
Tuesday, November 5, 2013 @ 4:00 AM
Prince George, BC- The Manager of Public Relations and Communications for Home Depot, Canada, has apologized on behalf of the company for an incident that took place in Prince George over the weekend which left a local veteran offended by the actions of a Home Depot "greeter".
Neil Boyes, a 22 year veteran of the Canadian Military, had stopped at the entrance of the Home Depot to buy a poppy from some cadets . He said he dropped a toonie into the box and then walked in the front door of Home Depot and stopped to put the poppy on when he was approached by an older Home Depot "greeter". "He came up to me as I was putting the poppy on and said ‘ do you know what that is’ I said yes it’s a poppy why ?. He then said ‘do you know what it’s for’, and I said it’s for us to remember the vets and those that served our country. It also helps those that come back from wars to get the services they need. He said there is no war, ‘it’s all just a cash grab’. "
Boyes says he was "never so offended in my life."
Erika Botond, says Home Depot apologizes for the incident. " I can assure you this is not representative of any company position or our overall appreciation of our military and Veterans". Botond says the comments by the greeter do not reflect their company policy "This behaviour is not acceptable and we are reviewing our policies with our associates to ensure they are committed to our values ".
Comments
Some people are just plain old stupid and ignorant
The poppy is a symbol of remembrance I don’t care what your feelings of government actions or your opinions of the military the poppy has significant meaning and it is a small gesture of remembrance I gladly give several dollars to proudly wear the poppy it is the very least I can do to honour the fallen.
I guess some “greeter” just doesn’t get it.
Here, here!
Oh Dear – I can already guess which HD Greeter this was – There is one guy there who is regularly rude and offensive, in the guise of being ‘funny’. Can’t stand him! Se makes some totally inappropriate comment every time I have to go into the place, to the point I go in the contractors’ door to avoid him. Why they haven’t canned him long ago, I do not know.
The ironic aspect is the reason the greeting may openly express his opinion is because of the veterans and yet freedom of expression must be defended to preserve a free society.
With that being said; one has to realize that there are consequences for what they say and do.
It’s Canada, the greeter has the right to be a numbskull.
correct NMG – And I have the right not to shop there as long as this numbskull is employed.
Agree completely!
I agree NMG. As long as the majority don’t forget the sacrifices, all will be well. I feel sorry for the greeter because he/she obviously has forgotten.
Amazing how ignorant some people can be.
“In Flanders Field the poppies blow between the crosses row on row”, and after that its all about money. I will say no more as a veteran I know the bleeding hearts would have a field day.
Cheers
This would be a matter of perspective. i was raised as a child of a solder, so I have some Idea what the poppy and the legion are about.
In Canada, it is not as common as in the USA to be aware of the military service.
With that in mind, this HD greeter is technically ignorant, as in not informed, as well as ignorant as in a55hole.
Sadly, this uninformed ignorance is way to common, often leading to the a55hole syndrome.
What happened is very disrespectful and sad. We need to keep in mind though what type of people are working as greeters in stores. I think this person is most likely mentally challenged and probably doesn’t recognize that he is being rude. He most likely requires some therapy on how to behave in public.
I sure hope Mr. Boyes can put this behind him and realize that most of the PG community is 100% behind veterans.
I would have pointed out that if were not for the sacrifice made by others in defense of the rights and freedoms of free people. This moron would more than likely not be alive let alone employed to be able to come off with stupid and ignorant comments such as that.
interceptor you are 101% right, I shop at Rona and always will local run and owed by some local folks. Yes very disrespectful and sad with out veterans. Things may have been a whole lot different for us and our children in Canada with out them. I would fire that @$$ on the spot. Why is it so hard these days to give people some respect, the old people at the very least. :-0
Did no one read my post above? What if the person working as a greeter is mentally challenged/handicapped? Do you still think he should be drawn and quartered? Look at this from all perspectives.
If that were the case bornandbred, then I would say no. I think that most certainly would call for a different response.
The majority may find this offensive,but veterans fought so this individual (and you and I) could have freedom of speech.
I support the freedom of speech. I am grateful that on my own time, because of people who fought for my right to do so, I am allowed to express my opinions. I believe that the issue here is not the right of speech but the fact that as an employee there are limitations to what you can express. What if the comment was about race or religion? Does an individual has the right to infringe on other freedoms while working with the public? By the way, we have another wonderful freedom in this country, if you don’t like your work limitations, you have the right to work somewhere else.
As a greeter at these stores…They should be confined to saying hello, good morning, have a nice day…That is it.
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