Response to Nicole Frazier’s “Why we shouldn’t just have military discounts”

Oct 032012

By Lauren Stieritz
October 3, 2012

stiertz l 166x250 Response to Nicole Frazier’s “Why we shouldn’t just have military discounts”

As a member of this great nation, Fort Collins and the CSU community, I would like to start off by stating I in no way endorse or condone Tuesday’s column by Nicole Frazier, “Why we shouldn’t just have military discounts.” I can only hope that Frazier did not intend for the piece to come across as offensive as it was.

First of all, let me define service. Service is the action of helping or doing work for someone.

Frazier stated in her opinion column on Tuesday, “I am thinking of the word ‘serve’ in the sense of yielding a service or product for others, not limiting it to just those who have enlisted in the military.”She goes on to discuss the fact that anybody who “serves” deserves equal right to a discount at businesses as the military does.

If one wants to talk about serving others this includes waitresses, janitors, postal workers, garbage men, nurses, doctors, grocery baggers, you name it. Any job or career for that matter provides a “service.”I wouldn’t call what the members of our military do for us a simple “service.” I would more closely associate their line of work as a sacrifice and a willingness to do what so many of us could never fathom the mere thought of.

Let’s move on to the issue of the “discount” — an issue so irrelevant to the work the men and women of our military do for this country I am unsure why it was discussed.

We all get a discount of some sort at some point in our lives. When I head out to the movies — last time I checked at least — I got a full $2 off for being a college student. Wherever you go, there’s a discount for somebody. Apple offers a discount for educators and for students. Damn near every business in Larimer County offered a discount, free food, merchandise, or whatever for the firefighters fighting the “raging summer flames,” as Frazier believed they deserved. Which they did. And to an extent many people in our country deserve some sort of extra compensation for what they do.

Any person who is willing to risk their life for another person deserves respect. Why debate something as petty as a discount instead of just simply saying “thank you”? The compensation these members of our society deserve isn’t about monetary value. It’s about a community and a country standing behind those that protect as they “serve.” It’s about appreciation and homage.

However, to single out the military — the people of our country that stand by the principles that our nation was founded upon is flat out wrong. It is offensive, unnecessary and quite frankly — insulting.

Let’s talk about PTSD. Let’s talk about missing the birth of a child. Let’s talk about moving every 2-3 years. Let’s talk about living in middle of nowhere towns and missing Thanksgiving and Christmas with immediate family. Let’s talk about waiting and worrying if one’s husband or wife will return home safely. Let’s talk about never knowing what will happen next, doing something for this country, and then being criticized for it.

Have I made my point?

Who cares if they save a few dollars when they go out to dinner? It’s nothing to the members and families of the military in lieu of the multitude of sacrifices they make. Maybe it makes them feel appreciated for one second for everything — and I mean everything — that they have given up for you. For your right to speak your opinion. For your freedom of speech, freedom of press and so on and so forth.

Ask any of our military members if they really, truly care about that super awesome ten percent discount they receive at Applebee’s, or Lowe’s or whatever. Sure, they made a choice to join the military. But if those brave men and women didn’t make that choice, who would? Would you step up and give your life to protect us?

I can one hundred percent guarantee you they sure as hell didn’t sign their name over for you — and for the sake of our country — for a discount on a trip to Disney World.

About Lauren Stieritz

Op-ed columnist Lauren Stieritz is a senior communication studies major and English minor. She began working at the Collegian in August 2012. Her columns appear Fridays in the Collegian. She can be reached at letters@collegian.com or on Twitter @laurenstieritz.

Posted by Lauren Stieritz on October 3, 2012 at 4:37 pm Opinion Add comments

Army Ranger. Combat Vet.

Thank you Lauren. Sometimes I wish I’d never made it home. Others, like while reading this, I’m glad I did.
Rhetorical Doc

Lauren Stieritz stands tall, making Nicole Frazier look even more petulant and small minded than she may have appeared at first blush. Lauren, your parents can be proud that you not only can think logically but also you have a pure heart that goes with that wonderful mind. Your article made my day.
Will W

Lauren-
I appreciate the time you have taken to give a response to the article. It is very hard to make people understand what it is that us veterans and those of us currently serving do. The way you have written this article has conveyed the point quite well and I appreciate your well chosen and carefully thought out words to describe it. People like Miss Frazier will continue to live in their own little world, where everything is safe and right, while overlooking the ones that ensure her safety. The quote, “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”, perfectly describes the part of society who live in a bubble where they thing peace is the answer to everything. Violence is needed sometimes in order to protect the things we love and cherish in life. You have shown great maturity to look at your country and realize there are certain individuals who keep it the beautiful and wonderful place that it is, whether its the military or civil servants. This article had gotten a lot of attention on facebook, particularly a group called ranger up. From this military veteran (serving in afghanistan currently in a civilian role), and from what I am sure are numerous others, I thank you for your continued support of those of us who (and are continuing to) serve.
http://www.facebook.com/marty.schaefer.18 Marty Schaefer

Lauren,thank you for that very well thought out response. You did an awesome job of bringing some perspective to the argument and really defining the issue. It can feel like a personal attack when comments like Nicole’s are made. And while most of us in the military have no problem responding in kind it is refreshing to see a student pick up the cause and champion it on our behalf. And our cause is not about discounts. It’s about honor. We strive to serve honorably and we want to be referred to in an honorable fashion. Which you did so eloquently. Thank you.
Doc 75 -78

What a reporter? We should ask if she is going to Vote? I like to see what she thinks of Who we have pick from .
Chappy K

Kudos Lauren. Very well written. Thanks for the passion for those of us in uniform. And you are correct, we dont do it for the discount to Disney.
Chris

Well Said
http://www.facebook.com/awilliams64 Andrew Williams

@a91b0f995369b1e0e396d33da536a5e3:disqus ,

Reading this article as an airman who is currently deployed I thank you! Taking this stand on on the issue is refreshing. I could honest care less about weather or not i receive a discount, its nice when companies show their appreciation but when they dont choose to give a discount I don’t fault them. But to say that the military doesn’t deserve one is insulting. Thank you again for taking a stand and thank you to all the companies out there that understand the sacrifices we and our families make to ensure you all have “the right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Its not about the money its the gesture.

Andrew Williams
http://www.facebook.com/yvonne.moss.71 Yvonne Moss

Lauren, you said it all in two words “Thank you”.
GS-Texas

This young lady was brought up properly.
Cecilio Mendez

Lauren, you are a true patriot who understand the thankless job of the military. God blesses you with a clear mind, honest heart and a an artful writing style.
Carol Campbell

I thank you so very much for the rebuttal, Lauren. My son is currently undergoing Ranger school and has served in Afghanistan. Those guys pay for their own uniforms, boots, etc. and even food from the dining hall when they can’t even get there due to training hours and duties. He and others are beginning to question as to why they are protecting idiots like Nicole Frazier. He cannot believe how stupid the civilians can be. But you know what? I had a conversation yesterday with a Marine (“once a Marine~Always a Marine) and he said he was told by a lieutenant that they need to be angry in order to do their job. If they aren’t, they have no business being our warriors. It’s a terribly difficult job in which they cannot turn back. They watch out for each other and protect each other, get mad at each other…on and on. Imagine a couple of football teams living with each other constantly and not being able to go home. It is a job in which they will grow from if not killed while doing it. God bless you Lauren and all those out there defending our soil.
Tim

RU sent me awesome response to that and thank you I wish more people could understand that
drewsilla01

As a wife of an Army Staff Sergeant I’m very happy to say thank you for writing this article.
tenaciousd1975

And you, Lauren, may be president of the United States some day. You have a good head on your shoulders, and clearly a bright future ahead of yourself. You see, I’ve served in the US Army for almost 20 years, and have been OVERFREAKINGWHELMED by how appreciative most people act toward me and my brothers, especially when in uniform. If I had a dollar for EVERY TIME I’ve been thanked for my service, I’d be a very rich man. I cannot tell you how much it means to me that Americans take a moment to show their gratitude, thought that’s clearly NOT why I serve. I think that many in America are making up for the treatment that my brothers and sisters who served in Vietnam received when they came home. That’s good enough for me. It’s been an honor to serve you great Americans, and whether I like it or not, I fight for the right for Nicole to write STUPID, IGNORANT articles like the one she posted. God Bless you.
Army Girl

As one half of a dual military couple, I thank you for your very well-written opinion. Over the last 6 years, due to being in the military, my husband and I have only been allowed to live together for just under 2 of those years as husband and wife – 1.5 years was after my last redeployment from Iraq, and the first half was a month or two at a time between different duty locations. He had to leave me at 5.5 months pregnant, is currently in Afghanistan, and has missed the birth of our first child. If all goes as planned, he will meet our little guy, when he’s 5 months old. There are other military families out there (dual and not) who have had even more separation and milestones missed. Between the two of us, we have been serving in the military for over 25 years. Both of us chose to serve during peacetime, and we chose to continue to serve during wartime. I’m sure I am speaking for us both when I say, we’d give up ALL military discounts just to avoid missing each other and any future milestones for our son. But, because we are both proud to be Soldiers and are thankful and honored to continue defending freedom, as our forefathers did, we will continue to serve – no matter how many mis-informed Nicole Fraziers there are out there. As a previous commenter said, the military discounts make us feel grateful that there are still folks in America who appreciate us and what we do. They aren’t necessary, by any means, but the are very nice to receive once in a while. Thank you, Ms. Lauren, for understanding.
HFMIC

Lauren
On behalf of myself and my men and women serving with me, THANK YOU for your response. To be specific, we are thanking you not only for your well written, well thought out repsonse, but for demonstrating that your time at CSU was time well spent. Your article showed maturity, was supported by fact, and most of all clearly demonstrated you understand critical thought. Moreover, thank you for your vocal support of your military men and women…its amazing what just a little support can do to the morale and fighting spirit. Simply put…you get it…and YES you made your point quite well. Thank you again and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Cheers
weredunne

Well written, Lauren! Thank you
MilitarySpouse23

God Bless you, Lauren Stieritz. We need more youth like you in this world!
Josh

Can anyone tell me what the attitude at the school is, is Nicole Frazier getting any publicity at the school for this article?
Ali

This is amazing and I’m so proud to call you my oldest friend. As a teacher, I can’t imagine comparing my daily “service” to any soldier’s sacrifice in any regard, especially for something as insignificant as a discount.

Also, not that this is in any way the point, but teachers DO get discounts at tons of places, including Nicole’s aforementioned Banana Republic.
AA

This man lied about his age to join the military to serve his country. He was 12, and quite frankly deserves respect and appreciation, just as all others who selflessly serve our country!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=621MRH-8yeE
- http://twitter.com/sharder8 sharder8
  
  weredunne, I may have met this gentleman while serving up there, back in ’82-’85.
marinewife1111

Thank you Lauren!
Billy Guile

A thought out, passionate response. Well done. People like you are the reason I am deciding to attend CSU after I exit the Army.
Austin

I missed Christmas and Thanksgiving 4 years in a row in Iraq.
Steve P

Thank you. As someone who has served for 11 years, missed birthdays, Christmases, etc, have a wife leave because I was gone so much, and now deal with PTSD and physical ailments everyday it’s refreshing to know that some people get it. I don’t ever expect a discount, nor do I demand one, but it’s very nice way to show appreciation.
Carol Campbell

I thank you so very much for the rebuttal, Lauren. My son is currently undergoing Ranger school and has served in Afghanistan. Those guys pay for their own uniforms, boots, etc. and even food from the dining hall when they can’t even get there due to training hours and duties. He and others are beginning to question as to why they are protecting idiots like Nicole Frazier. He cannot believe how stupid the civilians can be. But you know what? I had a conversation yesterday with a Marine (“once a Marine~Always a Marine) and he said he was told by a lieutenant that they need to be angry in order to do their job. If they aren’t, they have no business being our warriors. It’s a terribly difficult job in which they cannot turn back. They watch out for each other and protect each other, get mad at each other…on and on. Imagine a couple of football teams living with each other constantly and not being able to go home. It is a job in which they will grow from if not killed while doing it. God bless you Lauren and all those out there defending our soil.
Wednesday at 7:04am · Like
Huzzah

The prettier girl also writes more eloquently. I think I’ll chalk up one point for humanity.
Steve Malbasa

Lauren, this CSU alum and war vet thanks you, glad to see that CSU Is producing young women who have conviction and smarts. Pat yourself on the back young lady — good job!
BTW, one other thing — we need you. I bet you are made of some pretty stern stuff. You might be nervous about this, justifiably, and indeed the military is tough, no two ways about it. However, when you are in your 30s or 40s, or 50s, you can look back with the satisfaction of having accomplished something only a tiny percentage of our population was able to accomplish.
Your peers, such as young Miss Frazier, will never know that satisfaction, that sense of accomplishment. They are worse off for it.
I teach school for a living now. the high school I am attached to (long and bring story) has 1200 students, only one other teacher is a vet. Here, my military experience is invaluable to me, to the point where I do not know how people do this profession without it. I would imagine the same is true in business, in public service, in anything for goodness sake.
Make of this what you will, I think I made my point, but you also get those awesome 10 percent discounts at Lowe’s! You can make Miss Frazier even madder!

Thank you for your column and your time.
Joe (SSg RET 76-96)

Lauren I am proud to say that you have done your homework. The military life isn’t for every one and those that serve, do so for their own reasons. For the military community we know that “service” can also mean “sacrifice”. Those who serve today may see the ultimate sacrifice and is one they do without hesitation to protect the rights of people like Frazier. For the shortsightedness of her article does not mention these reasons nor as a way of the community as a whole to say,Thank you for your compassion and dedication.
Somekindofghost

Something should only be offered if everyone has a chance to obtain it. I am blind in my left eye and have attempted enlisting in ALL departments of the military. I am classified as blind to them even regardless the fact that my one eye is better than two with glasses. Peripheral vision is awarded enlistment instead of the will to enlist. Though I am denied said “10% military discount” because I COULD NOT ENLIST.
Prince Oatmeal

First off this is all backwards thinking… 10 % isnt a support the troop costs. Its bigger business understanding that they want military people in the surrounding areas to buy from them… so in order to do this they have to compete with on military base prices… which is generally 10% less due to lack of taxing on military base and a few other things. Also the military bases normally discuss with surrounding businesses in the area and setup cheaper prices like movie theaters so in return the base doesnt build one on the military base and can there fore send them to the local businesses of at a cost cut… which tends to be rounded to the 10% across the board. This 10% has a lot more to it in the fact that there are things offered to troops and to cut expenses and to promote better business in local economies. Also makes you tax dollar spending help out local in a backwards way by having troops near by invest in the local stores. (you wont find such discounts at places likes walmart due to sizes and other reasons) However i understand your meaning… somethings there is a logical meaning and deeper agenda aside from views and wishful thoughts to the troops
….signed random military member