Military ID Refused In Tri-Cities Store
Alternative content
military id not here
military id not here
WJHL-TV
An Iraq war veteran was turned away by a Tri-Cities cashier when he tried to buy alcohol and tobacco because he presented his military ID.
An Iraq war veteran was turned away by a Tri-Cities cashier when he tried to buy alcohol and tobacco because he presented his military ID.
“I’m proud to serve 15 years in the military. I’m proud to show that id,“ said Charles Reisler, Jr. of Bristol, Virginia.
Charles Reisler served on active duty, reserves, and with the National Guard for a decade and a half including more than a year in Iraq. When someone asks for ID, his military ID is the first he pulls out. It’s always been accepted until he visited this store to buy alcohol and tobacco.
“The clerk pretty much doing her job asked to see my id,“ said Reisler.
Reisler then asked her why she wouldn’t accept his military ID.
“Supervisor comes out and he tells me he only takes state issue IDs,“ said Reisler.
He then left and made his purchase at another store down the street, but he looked into what I’d are acceptable in Virginia.
“You can take any type of driver’s license, military id, green card, passport, so why not my military id?“ asked Reisler.
The clerk admitted she just made a mistake. Virginia’s Alcoholic Beverage Commission won’t comment on this particular case, but says it’s the clerks responsibility to ensure the sale is legal.
“We can refuse the sale of anyone if there’s a question about the validity of their id or their ownership of their id,“ said Matt Sword, acting assistant manager for VABC’s Bristol store.
The clerk knows now that the military id is accepted in Virginia and will be in her store from now on.
Acceptable IDs in Virignia and Tennessee include any valid state driver’s license, military ID, U.S. or foreign passport. Virginia also accepts IDs from any federal or state government except for student IDs.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
Most people who work in c-stores, as I do, had to take an “ABO” class. In this class they tell you the only legal ID we can take are state AND government issue ID’s. And to “indnajns”. I have worked in 2 c-stores for a total of eight years. I also just graduated college, am now a licensed massage therapist, and am in the process of starting my own business. Don’t put down c-store workers until you have been in their shoes, and have gone through the dangers they have. By the way, I am not one of these kids known for working in c-stores, I am 59.
While they accurately instructed the clerk to request i.d. they did not adequately train them to know what to look for. Don’t blame the clerk, she/he was obviously not trained properly. Blame the so called manager that should have been educated enough to properly train his employee. I find the commments by others offensive about these peoples employment status. If there was no one to fill these jobs, then what would we do? These people are working to feed their families just like the rest of us, what difference does it make what profession they are in? That really just shows the lack of class and stupidity on the part of the one that made that comment. The next time you need something from a “quickie-mart” I hope you can’t find one that is open because there is no one to work there and serve your sorry hide.
This is great article! Thanks for writing and publishing this.
I just thought I would let some of these people know, I have been a clerk in a drug store for 2 years. It is not a degrading job as some like to think. As far as ID’s, I have to ID everyone. I was told that we could only use a Drivers License. The clerk did exactly what she or he was told to do. I just found out a couple of weeks ago we could use a military ID. So way to go store clerk. Maybe you won’t get fired. As a military person you understand that there is chain of command, rules and regulations that we have to obey.
If the clerk and so called manager were smart al all,they would know that the ID shown told them , I went there facing death so that you two were free to work in this country.FREEDOM IS NOT FREE THANK A VET.
For the cryin’ out loud. Poor ole feller has been over in Iraq and can’t even come back to the states and get cigarettes with a VALID ID.
The problem IS, haytermike, that one of our servicemen was unnecessarily inconvenienced! Despite this clerk’s education level, or lack thereof, he/she CLEARLY has no COMMON SENSE! Jeepers people, this man has dodged bullets yet he can’t buy alcohol and cigs after presenting proper military ID…HELLOOOOO, get a clue people!
A private business reserves the right to sell as they please. I see no problem here other than the customer service might be a little sloppy. Don’t like the service, go to a different store. It’s not like they said they weren’t serving him because he is a soldier. Big deal over nothing
haytermike
Wrong on all points.
This clerk was an idiot as was the manager. As stated below, they will be clerks for the rest of their lives.
As I indicated in the original thread on this topic, FOUND HERE, Virginia state law is clear.
The Military ID is valid and there’s no excuse for refusing it.
I am glad that the clerk was doing her or his job there at this store. It was better for her/him to not issue the sale than to be held responsible for an illegal sale of alcohol and tobacco. Great employee!!! The guy got what he went to buy so whats the problem?
Advertisement