Support The Troops By Offering A Milatary Discount

As we celebrate July 4th, I would like to point out something I believe would be a great disappointment to Tri-Cities residents. Most Tri-Cities merchants do not give any kind of discount to active duty service members and dependents. Although most Tri-Cities merchants would probably consider themselves supportive of our troops, it appears that this support is not reflected in their discount policies.

My husband Mark and I grew up in the Tri-Cities. We currently live in Okinawa, Japan where Mark serves as a chaplain with a Marine battalion. Each time I visit the Tri-Cities, I ask every merchant that I visit if they offer a military discount. I am always disappointed by the response. 

For example, I am currently in the middle of a six-week visit to Bristol while my husband is with his battalion preparing to leave for Iraq soon. So far on this trip, I have not found any merchants who give the military discount. Previous trips have only resulted in three merchants who offered a military discount. I have tried merchants in Abingdon, Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City. My efforts are far from exhaustive. But the message is clear.

There are reservists in the Tri-Cities who have been called to active duty, which can cause a huge financial strain on their families. There also are active duty military serving tours at recruiting stations all over the Tri-Cities, not to mention those active duty military and dependents who come to the Tri-Cities to visit. I find it disturbing that our military families cannot even receive a discount for groceries while their servicemember is on active duty in a war zone! A discount may not mean very much to the merchant, but it is a huge message of support to the military families.

I would like to make two challenges to the people of the Tri-Cities. First, I encourage the merchants to show support of our troops by giving discounts to active duty military and their dependents. We all carry military ID that would be easy to check for validity. When you offer a military discount, advertise it! I’m sure that your customers will enjoy knowing that they patronize a business that really does support our troops in a tangible way. 

Second, I encourage Tri-Cities residents to ask their favorite merchants to offer the military discount. Support your neighbors and co-workers who serve in local reserve units and in military service around the world. Remember – America is the home of the free, because of the brave.

Stephanie (Sutherland) Brooks
Okinawa, Japan