You are not welcome here

That's what the Walkabout bar in Liverpool, England told two Royal Marine Commandos who wanted a drink after their fellow Commando's funeral. 

-- "Two Royal Marines were refused entry to a bar just hours after a colleague's funeral because they were in uniform. The two servicemen went for a drink at the Walkabout bar in Liverpool city centre following the funeral of Corporal Ben Nowak at the city's Anglican cathedral.

Cpl Nowak, 27, who served with 45 Commando, was one of four people killed in a bomb attack on a patrol boat in southern Iraq on Remembrance Sunday. His two colleagues, who were among 1,000 mourners at yesterday's funeral, were turned away by staff at the door of the bar."

The only good part of the story is how the people around reacted:
-- "Stunned bystanders shouted at the bouncers and told them to show respect to the servicemen. Student Ben Booth, who witnessed the event, said he was shocked by what he saw. He told BBC Radio Merseyside's phone-in show: "I spoke to the bouncers and said their colleague had just died in the service of our Government. I am absolutely shocked that people would act this way to our soldiers."

You tell 'em Ben!  What did the slimy gits have to say for themselves?

-- "As a responsible bar operator, we have a strict policy of refusing entry to anyone believed to be aggressive.

"Furthermore, Walkabout in Liverpool has a strict policy of refusing entry to anyone in uniform due to previous issues with uniformed customers. These policies are designed solely to increase the safety and comfort of all our customers.

"Two of the group were in uniform and doorstaff believed that other members of the group were behaving aggressively, so they were refused admission."

The spokesman offered his condolences to Cpl Nowak's friends, comrades and family and offered the group who were turned away a complimentary lunch. He stressed the soldiers must not be in uniform."

It's funny that the bystanders didn't seem to mind our brave troops going into the bar.  It's funny that they said they should be able to go in.  Didn't seem like they were frightened for their lives.

"Condolences" are not enough.  What has the Walkabout done for our troops lately?  Or ever.  I don't happen to be over there quite yet, but when I am, I will never step foot in a Walkabout.  And I'll make sure that nobody I know does either.

*** Update ***

I decided to give the Walkabout a call to see what I could find out.  I spoke with Jack, and he assured me that they were turning away everyone that night, not just the Marines.
He also said that they've been having a terrible weekend.  I'm so very happy about that because it shows that even in the U.K. (where they are not as patriotic and troop supportive as the U.S.) when you offend the troops who are fighting for our lives, you pay for it. 
I tentatively suggested that the Walkabout do something supportive of the troops to show that they care about them and this was all a mistake - Jack said there was a big meeting with corporate soon to decide that very thing.  We'll see, I guess.

I'm leaving the post up for now as I first wrote it because I'm not entirely sure I believe what they are saying.  Royal has had first hand experience with pub owners not allowing those they think are Marines inside, so I have a feeling the Walkabout may just be trying to rescue their image.

*** Update II ***
After finishing this post, went straight over to Rum Ration to see if those guys & gals were talking about it... most definitely are. 
Another article with slightly more info found here

A HUGE thank you to Grim from Blackfive for getting the word out.  It is much appreciated!!
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Part II can be found right here
Part III right here

Comments

[Pat]

That was an incredible thing to happen and I hope they are ashamed of themselves.

[BB]

Walkabout are a large chain, with branches in every reasonable sized British city.
So, if you are planning a boycott, don't just boycott the Liverpool one.

http://www.walkabout.eu.com/010venues.html

[charlie]

Walkabout have a rep for this, i know my 'royal' and his mates have been turned away from local ones because they looked too 'military'.

Good luck for the next 4 weeks, so exciting, it really is the best day of your life.

[Kath]

Pat: I hope they are, too! I'm keeping tabs...
BB: I found this out while researching, I've emailed corporate with my disapproval as well. Thanks for the heads up!
Charlie: So I'm hearing. I thought things were a bit fishy when I spoke with their employee.
Thanks so much for the well wishes, I really really appreciate it! :o)

[Larry]

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.

Things haven't changed much since Mr Kipling's day.

[Kath]

Hi Larry, welcome to the site! I thought of that poem as well, thanks for typing it out.
It's unfortunate, but there are people like us around to make sure these fighting men and women feel loved!