John Harkness, a retired Marine, and his wife Lynn had been collecting toys for Toys for Tots outside of an Arizona Walmart for many years. But this year, they stopped doing what they always did. They were told to leave because a store worker was afraid that John’s Marine uniform would “intimidate” shoppers.
The two were shocked. John’s outfit had turned into a problem. It used to be a sign of pride and service. The worker’s reason—that the uniform was against company policy—made things worse. They felt ashamed and insulted, so the Harknesses packed up.
Someone watching them leave filmed it and put it online, which made people very angry. A lot of people watched the video, and a lot of them didn’t like what Walmart did. It asked, “This is how we treat our veterans?” People who left comments wanted apologies and boycotts.
Initially, Walmart made their stance clear, but as time went on, public pressure grew. The CEO said sorry and promised to give $50,000 to Toys for Tots. Businesses in the area came together to help the Harknesses and opened their doors to raise money.
A Marine Corps Reserve unit recognised John’s service and praised how selfless he was. Donations broke all kinds of records. John stayed humble and thought about the kids that Toys for Tots helps.
As the holidays got closer, the debate turned into a touching show of support from the community. John and Lynn kept going with their goal, feeling more determined than before. It was clear from their story how important it is to honour soldiers and have a giving spirit.
