Thursday
04Sep2008
HOW WE HONOUR OUR WARRIORS...
Thursday, September 4, 2008 at 04:08PM Did you read about the wounded British soldier home from Afghanistan on sick leave who was forced to spend the night in his car after a hotel refused him a room? Corporal Tomos Stringer was told by staff at Metro Hotel, in Woking, that it was company policy not to accept members of the armed forces as guests. The 24-year-old had travelled to the Surrey town to help with funeral preparations for a friend killed in action. It was so late that Cpl Stringer, who had broken his wrist jumping off an Army truck as it was attacked, had no choice but to bed down in his tiny, two-door car, arm covered in plaster. What a disgraceful policy! I think that this hotel should be boycotted until this policy is reversed.
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Reader Comments (49)
How we honour them?
No. This is how a privately run business chooses to honour them.
Is that story confirmed? I mean factually it seems appalling as set forth in the article. If that happened here it would be empty by noon today.
According to one post on the BA website highlighted in the link this is a regular occurence.
Pretty shameful in Britian. Of course certain areas in NI he wouldn't get a room either :)
I am fairly sure that this would be illegal in the US.
Can someone explain why this is a reflection on Britain please? It's a private company run by The Big Apple and owned by a company called American Amusements.
Phantom - true, but in our country Veterans are often let down by the government.
Are the staff American? Do they have no opinion on what they are asked to carry out? Is this an American policy? No. This is a policy put in place for the UK. Why? God knows. It is a private business and can do as it wishes and as private citizens we can call for it to be boycotted. The story seems valid. Also if they were GAYS, it would be illegal to discriminate but because they are nasty soldiers, let 'em freeze. Right?
Is the company American connected at all? Just because the name sounds American does not mean anything
If the company American Amusements, Ltd is actually American they should be doubly cursed. However, it seems to actually be based in Woking with the name taken from the recreation they offer pool, arcade etc. and not the land of their origin.
Quite shameful indeed. Mahons is right that in America the hotel would empty by noon, and in the South, God only knows.
I think the British people will sort this lot out in short order.
Does anyone have an email for this company? I think we should contact them and spell out our displeasure in no uncertain terms.
David
It sucks, at least probably it sucks... you don't know they haven't had a problem with drunk and disorderly soldiers. Have you ever been out for a night Aldershot?!
It's a private American owned company entitled to do what it likes isn't it. It is not government or council run and it is not a reflection on this country.
Contact for the metro hotel woking, listed on British Army website in the link.
http://www.metrohotel.co.uk/en/1/metrohotels.html
I don't know if it is an American Company or not. It is a disgrace in any event.
Poofs; niqab-wearing Muslims; drunken football supporters; degenerates....
COME ON DOWN, THE PRICE IS RIGHT!!
Soldiers who fight for their country.....
GET STUFFED!!
What a sick, immoral, disgusting society we're turning into.
--you don't know they haven't had a problem with drunk and disorderly soldiers--
That's not an excuse. Bet they've had other drunk and disorderly patrons.
And sorting out things drunk/disorderly problems with the aid of the military is actually quite easy. They don't want their soldiers giving a bad name to the service and will assist where appropriate--there are lots of ways.
Lets not make any excuses for these swine. Lets see what excuses they invent for themselves. Probably they will blame it on some junior employee or lie and say it was a clerical error or whatever
Oh dear. Some people have given this hotel some
bad reviews
Phantom
That is soooooooooooooo the way to do it!!!!!
It is noted that other sites such as tripadvisor are always looking for reviews too.
Trip advisor won't tolerate bogus ratings, you need to have stayed in the hotel before you can post on it. I've reviewed a couple and thats how I understand it.
I abhor bogus ratings. But the ones I see at the site I linked to are quite accurate.
They seem to be fairly well hidden behind various booking agency sites, and they aren't answering the phone! Quite difficult to get any direct access to them, - unless you want to book a room!...
The link below has some comments!
Link to American Amusements via a third party site
They seem to have some twenty or so branches in various parts of the country. they also seem to have 'been around the block' a few times, including having been in receivership fairly recently. They do seem to have foreign owners, but not which nationality, - they might even be Russian! - I very much doubt any direct American links, they are far too savvy to make such an elementary mistake.
Companies Hse
The company seems to be saying there was a misunderstanding, which is a clear case of backtracking. It is highly unlikely the receptionist would have stated that without having had some notice beforehand about such a policy . Even If the hotel had a history of rowdy military customers that is no excuse for a blanket ban. They should be ashamed.
They misunderstood the possibility that the word could get out.
Ernest,
"Quite difficult to get any direct access to them, - unless you want to book a room!..."
Then ring them up and claim you want to book a room. Go through the whole process and when they ask for the name on the credit card say Corporal Tomos Stringer.
The reviews thing will kill them though. Whenever I book a hotel I do it online and I always look at the reviews.
Who Do They Think They Are? Walter Reed Hospital?
But there is also the concept of no such thing as bad publicity. This hotel will now be known to millions in the UK and thousands of others abroad who have picked up on the story. There will probably me more than a few people who will be prepared to stay in this hotel simply because it is now 'famous' or more accurately infamous.
Colm,
"There will probably me more than a few people who will be prepared to stay in this hotel because it is now 'famous' or more accurately infamous."
Maybe so but chances are they better be quick as it may be somebody else's hotel before long.
Go through the whole process and when they ask for the name on the credit card say Corporal Tomos Stringer
Best
Idea
Ever
---
The wrong cannot be undone, especially not by the lot that own this roach motel, but if a hotelier wanted a bit of good publicity he could do worse than to put this guy and a few of his mates up for a weekend in London or Florida, on the house.
Said the man's mother
“In America, they treat soldiers as heroes. We went to Disney World with Tomos and the whole family was moved to the front of the lines. Everybody was standing up and clapping and cheering. Here, soldiers can’t even get a bed for the night.”
I do not understand this at all. This is so very disturbing.
Frank and Phantom,
If it's such a good idea, why don't you do it? In fact if a few did just that it might make a point with them.
Even bookings appear to be done exclusively through agencies.
Ernest,
I don't really think it's a good idea...also I generally think it's unfair to take complaints out on front line staff who are probably earning bugger all and reading from a script.
The reviews idea is the best.
You know, Frank?
If I worked at a place like that, I would quietly take the greatest delight if the public caused mayhem with the reservation system and the rest of it.
Might cause some of it too.
Did I say that? No...
Phantom,
"I do not understand this at all. This is so very disturbing."
I agree!
Coupled with the not infrequent assaults on soldiers in hospital, it does give pause for concern about the future of our country.
That man's mother is being overly dramatic. In America they go nuts over anything. We're understated and formal and always have been. This hotel is not reflective of that attitude towards the Armed Forces, don't be so silly! By all means condemn the place for it's contemptible stupidity towards one soldier but keep some perspective. If that was the general attitude how comes there is so much outrage?
Boys, continue to speak up. This cannot possibly be tolerated.
Even in places like NY and CA which are not quite as rock-ribbed as Texas say, I cannot imagine the level of outrage if anyone dared to deny service to a military man. You'd see the mother of all boycotts and it would be backed by all segments of society.
--
Chris
The Americans do not go "nuts over anything". We've had an admirable reserve when it comes to the charms of soccer.
But, especially after the wrongs done by many of the public to our men who served in Vietnam, there has been a renewed appreciation of the sacrifices made by those who serve. It is genuine and it is widespread in society. It is heartfelt and it cannot remotely be put into words the appreciation and respect that we feel.
That's overstated? No, its the right thing to do. And if you're "understated" in a world where some despise the soldier, others warn him not to wear his uniform in town, and still others deny him a bed to sleep, then what good are you? He'll only experience the bad treatment from the bad people while you're doing the stiff upper lip thing.
If that guy walks into a bar in America, likely as not his money's no good- he may drink free all night. I don't have a problem with that.
Admirable reserve when it comes to the charms of soccer.
Classic.
This hotel manager deserves a bit of the Jack Nicholson treatment.
That's the way Noel!
Charles wrote: "in America the hotel would empty by noon, and in the South, God only knows."
Oh, man. Any hotel in the south is right. The mob would probably give the remaining guests a chance to leave with their belongings before torching the place.
The staff would probably be allowed out; the management would be lucky to get away unharmed.
Gordon, y'all got that right son. Here's a picture of how the average Southern family would approach said hotel
Perhaps the Hotel was wary given the recent news that 10% of the convicted criminals in British prison are ex squadies.
Phantom -
I do not understand this at all. This is so very disturbing.
You would if you lived here long enough. I was told to cheer up last week when I had a downer on what a state my country has become. Well here it is.
As I said then, were stood firm in 1940 because we were a moral, patriotic nation of Britons. Today Britain is a cess pit containing strangers, whoever happens to be passing through at the time. No patriotism, no morality, no backbone.
WhenI read this shocking story
it reminded me of one of Rudyard Kipling's poems called 'Tommy' written in 1892 it still applies to this day nothing changes unless we make it happen.
I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:
O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play.
I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.
Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.
We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.
You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet that Tommy sees!
Note:
It was the Duke of Wellington who coined the popular nickname Thomas (or Tommy) Atkins, for the ordinary soldier. In 1843, whilst Commander-in-Chief, he was asked to come up with a 'typical' soldier's name. Thinking back to his first campaign in the Low Countries in the 1790s he remembered a badly wounded, but stoical, soldier he had encountered - Thomas Atkins.
The Widow's Uniform - after Prince Albert's death, Queen Victoria was known as the Widow at Windsor and soldiers were known as the Widow's Sons who wore the Widow's uniform.
Thanks for visiting and commenting Jimmy.
Agreed, Jimmy, and David. I too was saddened when I heard about this.
Yet, these shabby hoteliers made one big mistake: they incorporated their shoddy little businesses into limited companies.
Perhaps the rotters behind this will soon find out that the term "limited liability" isn't quite all it's cracked up to be....?
I really like that poem Jimmmy (and quoted it here before, I have to say).
While I agree with its sentiments in general, it must also be said that this attitude is precisely one of the great strengths of Britain. When Britain's soldiers returned home after the world wars, the celebrations were dominated not so much by the spirit of military pathos seen in too many other countries as by the spirit of Spike Milligan.
The army is too close to the people for all that, is not seen as something apart. In other countries the soldiers came home, but didn't stop marching and didn't put away their guns....
Pete, you really should read more about Britain during the war, the way it was to live there, not a fighter pilot's eye view. You will find that, at first, it was anything but the nation of stoic proud patriots you imagine. They were still playing cricket on greens along the south coast when the Wehrmacht showed up on the other side, and wouldn't tolerate barbed wire being laid.
All that changed when the Blitz came, of course, but not before then.
Noel Cunningham -
Yes, I know well the sentiments of my nation in 1940 thanks. I know the fear and foreboding that autumn. I know it wasn't all stoic defiance, which makes my nation's fortitude all the more praiseworthy.
I know also that it wasn't until death was brought home to us that Britons resisted the paring of their liberties. Your little anecdote serves to show how liberty-minded the British people were even after war was declared, the comparison of which today shames us even more.
'I know it wasn't all stoic defiance, which makes my nation's fortitude all the more praiseworthy.'
So we won't hear you condemning the irish resistance to british occupation anytime soon......
You would if you lived here long enough. I was told to cheer up last week when I had a downer on what a state my country has become. Well here it is.
Im not surprised you have a downer. Here you are presented with another paradox. Do i support the Great British private property owner? Or the Great British Private refused entry?