Letters: BI-LO alcohol policy insults veterans

BI-LO on Forest Drive recently reinstated a policy of demanding ID to prove people are old enough to buy beer or wine. I understand the need for caution in selling alcohol to minors and approve totally.

However, I am a 70-year-old grey-haired man and a Vietnam-era veteran. I found it insulting the first time and even more so this time. I shop at this store a minimum of twice a week and am known by a lot of the staff. The manager, Tom, speaks to me every time he sees me and has always been totally helpful.

I called the corporate headquarters in Greenville and spoke to a young lady who informed me that this was a company-wide policy. I also shop at Publix, Sam’s Club and Walgreen’s, and I have not ever been asked for ID in any of these stores.

I asked the young lady where common sense worked in the equation. She said common sense had nothing to do with it. I disagree. There are many retired Army veterans in the Columbia area. Can you imagine serving in Vietnam, Iraq, etc. and then being asked to prove you are old enough to buy alcohol?