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Veteran receives apology after rude letter left on car

By Erica Bryant, wsoctv.com and WSOC - Charlotte

A North Carolina veteran, who received  this negative note on her car, has received an apology letter from the same person.  (Facebook/Rebecca Landis Hayes)

By Erica Bryant, wsoctv.com and WSOC - Charlotte

CONCORD, N.C. — A veteran who received a negative note on her car, which was parked in a space reserved for veterans last week, has received a different letter from the same person.

This time, it was an apology letter.

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Rebecca Hayes posted the apology letter to her Facebook page Monday.

"To the lady whose car I left a note on," the woman's letter begins. "I would like to apologize to you. I know it's no excuse, but I've seen so many young people park in retired vets' spaces along with handicapped (spaces) lately, and I lost my cool. I'm sorry you were the one who got the result of my angry moment."

I wanted to let everyone know I received a much appreciated, sincere apology.

Posted by Rebecca Landis Hayes on Monday, June 20, 2016

Hayes got the letter after finding a nasty note on her car when she parked in a space reserved for veterans at a Harris Teeter in Concord, North Carolina.

"This parking is for veterans, lady," the note said. "Learn to read and have some respect."
Hayes posted a photo of the message on her Facebook account.
"I know I parked in one of the veteran parking spaces today," Hayes wrote. "I’m sorry that you can’t see my eight years of service in the United Sates Navy. I’m sorry that your narrow, misogynistic world view can’t conceive of the fact that there are female veterans."

To the person who left this note on my windshield today at the Coddle Creek Harris Teeter in Concord, NC: 
 I know I...

Posted by Rebecca Landis Hayes on Monday, June 13, 2016

Hayes also received an apology from the grocery store chain and the United Service Organizations.

The USO presented her with coins of accomplishment and the store gave her gift cards, which she donated.

"I'd like to give back to my veteran community, and (I'm) doing that by giving this back to veterans in need," Hayes said.

Hayes said she was initially frustrated by the incident, but now she's encouraged by all the positive responses.

"I think we like to say, 'It's 2016, there's no racism or sexism,' but it shows don't judge people before we take the extra time to think," she said.

"If you see someone in a vets' lot or handicapped lot, don't assume they are not, because so many of our veterans have invisible wounds of war," said John Falkenbury of USO North Carolina.

Cox Media Group

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