I understand the frustration felt by the author of “Meal gone wrong” (PDN, Jan. 16) when their breakfast plans were thwarted by the requirement for their son’s proof of vaccination.
I want to thank their son for his service as a U.S. Army Ranger.
I want to express my condolences for the losses he experienced during his service in Iraq.
I also thank God for your grandson’s recovery.
That being said, I want to express some thoughts for the writer to ponder.
If your son had remembered to bring his vaccination record with him, either in card or digital form on his phone, would you have not enjoyed a breakfast at your favorite café without anger towards their compliance with COVID mandates?
They were doing what they had to do, and it was without malice towards your son.
It certainly was not anything like that experienced, as you state, by Vietnam veterans upon their homecoming.
I am a veteran of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, U.S. Air Force.
Our insignia has a banner across the bottom that says “Semper Paratus,” which any U.S. Coast Guard person knows means, “always ready.”
Being a veteran does not give one a pass for non-compliance of regulations, permanent or temporary.
I cannot run a stop sign, then claim non-compliance because I served my country in the military.
The café employees were complying with the requirements of the times.
Blaming them for doing their jobs is just misplaced anger.
Thank you and your son for being vaccinated.
Les Carnahan
Port Angeles