Family Outraged After Quadriplegic Marine Denied Free Admission to Michigan Amusement

[twobjshelbys]

I'm sorry, this is just plain wrong.

Family Outraged After Quadriplegic Marine Denied Free Admission to Michigan Amusement Park - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

They could have turned this into "Family Exstatic After Quadriplegic Marine Granted Free Admission to Michigan Amusement Park"

I hope some one joins the ranks of the unemployed after this.

[Alloy Dave]

If anyone joins the ranks of the unemployed, it should be the CEO.

The gate employee makes minimum wage and just does what they are told.

The CEO either needs to create a policy or give employees the power to make some judgments at the gate.

This is beauraucracy run amok.

[gr8snkbite]

Family Outraged After Quadriplegic Marine Denied Free Admission to Michigan Amusement Park - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

link didnt work for me...the rapids news letter gives more. completely unreal. park officials said he could be faking it....outrageous...

[Rags]

It's a load of BS. How soon this country forgets! After 9/11, military personel, nyc police and firemen were granted basically free access to many major amusement parks throughout the country. This is a complete shame!

[Darkside]

Pray tell, how does somebody "FAKE" being a quadraplegic???????

[joegaz]

I think it would be appropriate for every one here to bitchslap this business. Send em your thoughts here: info@miadventure.com

[JTB]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

I'm sorry, this is just plain wrong.

Family Outraged After Quadriplegic Marine Denied Free Admission to Michigan Amusement Park - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

They could have turned this into "Family Exstatic After Quadriplegic Marine Granted Free Admission to Michigan Amusement Park"

I hope some one joins the ranks of the unemployed after this.

Complete BS!

[SLB8SNK]

Arg... I hate to be the voice of reason, but why does every Military person feel they have additional rights? He was in a volunteer role in the military (more than likely) went and did a duty he SIGNED up for, got wounded, and now the press and his family feels he is entitled to perks the rest of us are not? Sorry, I agree with the park, if it is a rule, it is a rule, end of issue. I have a handicapped kid and when we went to parks she had to pay as well, knowing she could not enjoy a ride, let alone anything the park had to offer. I did not ask for my free hand out, nor bitch to the press..... sorry... opinion, opinions~!

[Darkside]

Originally Posted by SLB8SNK

Arg... I hate to be the voice of reason, but why does every Military person feel they have additional rights? He was in a volunteer role in the military (more than likely) went and did a duty he SIGNED up for, got wounded, and now the press and his family feels he is entitled to perks the rest of us are not? Sorry, I agree with the park, if it is a rule, it is a rule, end of issue. I have a handicapped kid and when we went to parks she had to pay as well, knowing she could not enjoy a ride, let alone anything the park had to offer. I did not ask for my free hand out, nor bitch to the press..... sorry... opinion, opinions~!

I don' t think many of us military folks feel they need or want extra rights, but many places do cut us a break as a courtesy for our service. Amusement parks being one of them. If the kid isn't going to be able to ride the rides, regardless of being a disabled vet or not and just wants to enjoy the atmosphere, why charge him to get in?? They will still make money off of him at the concessions.

Personally, I have never asked for anything extra for being military. I may ask if the business offers a military discount for services, but if they say "No" that's fine by me.

BTW - I was just awarded a 50% disability (Orthopeadic stuff) by the VA for my service and still feel the same way.

[Boston Mike]

Originally Posted by Darkside

I don' t think many of us military folks feel they need or want extra rights, but many places do cut us a break as a courtesy for our service. Amusement parks being one of them. If the kid isn't going to be able to ride the rides, regardless of being a disabled vet or not and just wants to enjoy the atmosphere, why charge him to get in?? They will still make money off of him at the concessions.

Personally, I have never asked for anything extra for being military. I may ask if the business offers a military discount for services, but if they say "No" that's fine by me.

BTW - I was just awarded a 50% disability (Orthopeadic stuff) by the VA for my service and still feel the same way.

I thought the orthopeadic stuff was due to your trying to fireman carry Farmdog.

[SLB8SNK]

Originally Posted by Darkside

I don' t think many of us military folks feel they need or want extra rights, but many places do cut us a break as a courtesy for our service. Amusement parks being one of them. If the kid isn't going to be able to ride the rides, regardless of being a disabled vet or not and just wants to enjoy the atmosphere, why charge him to get in?? They will still make money off of him at the concessions.

Personally, I have never asked for anything extra for being military. I may ask if the business offers a military discount for services, but if they say "No" that's fine by me.

BTW - I was just awarded a 50% disability (Orthopeadic stuff) by the VA for my service and still feel the same way.

Again, no disrespect to you, or any military person. However, those of us who are NOT military get tired of the same old crap. I don't think ANYONE should be given extra or additional privileges JUST because of their chosen occupation. End of story, not cops, firemen, military, or anyone. We all work for a living, most in chosen paths, so it is what it is and each working person brings worth or value. To single only a select few is the brain washing of the press and all the other BS associated with "some" jobs! All I am saying is, a none military person does not see it the same way, and thus has just as much a right to refuse that discount as provide it. It is a choice, plain and simple. It is almost now "expected" and people are "guilted" into seeing it all one way! Sorry, just not right. Again, no disrespect to you, or those in your chosen profession.

[Rags]

Originally Posted by SLB8SNK

Again, no disrespect to you, or any military person. However, those of us who are NOT military get tired of the same old crap. I don't think ANYONE should be given extra or additional privileges JUST because of their chosen occupation. End of story, not cops, firemen, military, or anyone. We all work for a living, most in chosen paths, so it is what it is and each working person brings worth or value. To single only a select few is the brain washing of the press and all the other BS associated with "some" jobs! All I am saying is, a none military person does not see it the same way, and thus has just as much a right to refuse that discount as provide it. It is a choice, plain and simple. It is almost now "expected" and people are "guilted" into seeing it all one way! Sorry, just not right. Again, no disrespect to you, or those in your chosen profession.

[SLB8SNK]

Originally Posted by Rags

[gr8snkbite]

SLB,
I dont disagree with you here. But the real point of this to me is the comments that were made to the family by the staff..i.e. he could be faking his handicap. That is totally uncalled for and unprofessional. Senior citizens fall into that catagory as well. They go to be with family and not ride. As DS stated, the park still makes money on consessions, unfortunately for this Marine, he wouldn't be eating there either. Parks should change their BS policy wrt to that group of people, civilian or service. Or at least give a reduced rate for them. $25 or more is BS to walk the park and do nothing but share in the adventure with your family. Nuff said..

[SLB8SNK]

Originally Posted by gr8snkbite

SLB,
I dont disagree with you here. But the real point of this to me is the comments that were made to the family by the staff..i.e. he could be faking his handicap. That is totally uncalled for and unprofessional. Senior citizens fall into that catagory as well. They go to be with family and not ride. As DS stated, the park still makes money on consessions, unfortunately for this Marine, he wouldn't be eating there either. Parks should change their BS policy wrt to that group of people, civilian or service. Or at least give a reduced rate for them. $25 or more is BS to walk the park and do nothing but share in the adventure with your family. Nuff said..

Agree with you on that part for sure!

[Dad's72Mach]

Originally Posted by SLB8SNK

Arg... I hate to be the voice of reason, but why does every Military person feel they have additional rights? He was in a volunteer role in the military (more than likely) went and did a duty he SIGNED up for, got wounded, and now the press and his family feels he is entitled to perks the rest of us are not? Sorry, I agree with the park, if it is a rule, it is a rule, end of issue. I have a handicapped kid and when we went to parks she had to pay as well, knowing she could not enjoy a ride, let alone anything the park had to offer. I did not ask for my free hand out, nor bitch to the press..... sorry... opinion, opinions~!

I disagree, not enough that I am angry or anything you have every right to your opinion and many would agree. I just feel that if not for those that chose to serve, be it Military, Fire, Police, Coast Guard, whatever then we wouldn't have the rights and ability to chose other pursuits. They are the defenders of Security, Health and Safety. They are seldom compensated fully for the risks and hardships they undergo so if a few perks make life better and their service easier then I am all for it. I have always offered a discount to veterans and active duty military, police, fire, rescue and even teachers and staff at my daughters school(teachers are another group I think are under appreciated and deserve a break now and then.) JMHO

[joegaz]

Originally Posted by SLB8SNK

Arg... I hate to be the voice of reason, but why does every Military person feel they have additional rights? He was in a volunteer role in the military (more than likely) went and did a duty he SIGNED up for, got wounded, and now the press and his family feels he is entitled to perks the rest of us are not? Sorry, I agree with the park, if it is a rule, it is a rule, end of issue. I have a handicapped kid and when we went to parks she had to pay as well, knowing she could not enjoy a ride, let alone anything the park had to offer. I did not ask for my free hand out, nor bitch to the press..... sorry... opinion, opinions~!

I don't care how anyone colors this. If you want to disregard his military service that's OK, men like him fought so that you could utilize that right, but the bottom line is this man is paralyzed and he is not going to partake in any of the rides offered by the park. Rolling him around to see his family having a good time maybe just enough to let him enjoy a little piece of life for that day!

So I ask you, as a human being, would you demand the $25. to see him enjoy a day in a life that none of us would care to live in?

[Joker]

Originally Posted by joegaz

So I ask you, as a human being, would you demand the $25. to see him enjoy a day in a life that none of us would care to live in?

Very nice perspective.

People can say whatever they want about military, police, fire etc. They are all under paid (at least the vast majority), under appreciated and make sacrifices in their personal lives that the majority of the public would never understand and could not appreciate.

[joegaz]

I just wanted to share a response I recieved this evening from the company that denied entry To the U.S. Marine:

Dear Sir,

Thank you for taking the time to share your comments about the recent story of Marine Joshua Hoffman and Michigan’s Adventure.

I apologize for the situation that Marine Hoffman encountered when he attempted to visit the park on May 29. I was only made aware of his request two days ago. Once I learned of the situation that day, I offered him the opportunity for a complimentary visit to the park.

At no time would I ever tolerate disrespect to any member of our active or retired military. Our company is very proud of our military and their service to our country.

Our policies at Michigan ’s Adventure are in place to provide fair treatment to all our guests. At the same time, we do review special requests individually. In this case, we made a mistake. I definitely feel we could have handled the situation better.

Again, please accept my apologies for your disappointment, and thank you for giving us the opportunity to respond to your concerns.

Sincerely,
Michigan ’s Adventure
Camille Jourden-Mark
Vice-President and General Manager


-----Original Message-----
From: "joegaz"
To:
Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:53:55 -0700
Subject: U.S. Marine


How disgusting your company is to deny a Handicapped Veteran into your park, knowing full well that he was a quadriplegic.
He was there to protect you, and you turned your back on him!

[Rags]

Originally Posted by joegaz

I just wanted to share a response I recieved this evening from the company that denied entry To the U.S. Marine:

Dear Sir,

Thank you for taking the time to share your comments about the recent story of Marine Joshua Hoffman and Michigan’s Adventure.

I apologize for the situation that Marine Hoffman encountered when he attempted to visit the park on May 29. I was only made aware of his request two days ago. Once I learned of the situation that day, I offered him the opportunity for a complimentary visit to the park.

At no time would I ever tolerate disrespect to any member of our active or retired military. Our company is very proud of our military and their service to our country.

Our policies at Michigan ’s Adventure are in place to provide fair treatment to all our guests. At the same time, we do review special requests individually. In this case, we made a mistake. I definitely feel we could have handled the situation better.

Again, please accept my apologies for your disappointment, and thank you for giving us the opportunity to respond to your concerns.

Sincerely,
Michigan ’s Adventure
Camille Jourden-Mark
Vice-President and General Manager


-----Original Message-----
From: "joegaz"
To:
Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:53:55 -0700
Subject: U.S. Marine


How disgusting your company is to deny a Handicapped Veteran into your park, knowing full well that he was a quadriplegic.
He was there to protect you, and you turned your back on him!

Kudo's to you Joe.