Letter to the Editor

Venting about veterans’ discounts
 
Letter to the editor:
 
     I listened to what surrounding towns’ businesses done on Veterans Day to support their veterans. Hampton businesses done nothing but have Veterans Day sales which applied to everybody and not specific to veterans only! As I see it, if Hampton businesses do have benefits for veterans only it is not very well advertised or announced.
     There were a very small amount of Hampton businesses who thanked veterans on the local radio station or supported the Hampton-Dumont High School veterans program. In the Hampton Chronicle Bonus paper, only one business that I seen stated Veterans and Farmers Appreciation Day, but it’s an inside deal, now for everyone. I have no idea about the Hampton Chronicle since I do not receive it.
     Surrounding towns give veterans discounts year round with purchases. I have yet to run into any business in Hampton who offers year round discounts for their veterans. In fact, I have never received any discount for being a veteran since I retired in 1994 in the town of Hampton! I went to a local business and made a purchase on Veterans Day, only to be over charged for my purchase and informed that it was the way the cash register rang it up! I finally got my overcharge back, but not without hassle!
     As I see it, Hampton wants the veterans’ money for city, county employees, elected officials and property taxes, which are divided out over Hampton-Dumont, Hampton, Inc., general basic, county hospital, NIACC, assessor, mental health, ag extension, county debt and miscellaneous for utilities, plus the businesses want their share of the veterans’ money, too.
     Why are veterans not honored year round for what they gave up for their country and the citizens of Hampton who elected not to serve, which their choice and right? Freedom is not free! Why should veterans shop locally when they can get better deals from surrounding towns for being a veteran?
     The above is my opinion as I have seen it for years!
 
Shirley A. Smith
Hampton

Hampton Chronicle

9 Second Street NW
Hampton, IA 50441
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