Elderly Veteran Fired From Cracker Barrel For Feeding Homeless Man

Joe Koblenzer thought he was doing a good thing when he gave a homeless man a muffin and some condiments at the Florida Cracker Barrel where he used to work. But the Vietnam veteran was mistaken, as he soon found himself without a job, according to a CNN Wire report.

“Two weeks ago, the 73-year-old says a man who looked like he might be homeless came through the doors.

“‘He looked a little needy. He asked I had any mayonnaise and some tartar sauce. He said he was going to cook a fish,’ said Koblenzer.

“The man who’s job it is to be friendly obliged.

“‘I got it for him. As I walked out I put a corn muffin in,’ said Koblenzer.”

Apparently, that was enough to cost him his job. Koblenzer said a manager at the Venice, Florida, location called him into the office and let him go, according to the CNN report.

WWSB-TV 7 also interviewed Koblenzer, who readily admitted that he broke the rules and said the company had the right to fire him. But, as he told the station, he felt like his actions were still the morally right ones to take.

As a result of the firing, Koblenzer told the station that he probably will forgo working for any type of corporation again.

As for the company themselves, even in light of more than 30 negative reviews to appear online, they are standing by the firing of the 73-year-old Vietnam veteran who was simply trying to help someone he said was in need.

“Mr. Koblenzer has worked as a host at Cracker Barrel’s Sarasota store since April 2011. During the time he was employed, he violated the Company’s policies regarding consuming food without paying or giving away free food, on five separate occasions. Mr. Koblenzer received multiple counselings and written warnings reminding him about the company’s polices and the consequences associated with violating them. On the fifth occasion, again per Company policy, Mr. Koblenzer was terminated.

“Cracker Barrel is grateful for and honors Mr. Koblenzer’s service to our country as we honor all service men and women and their families.”

While the firing of Koblenzer may seem like a far stretch, numerous reports over the years have shown people doing what appeared to be the right thing and getting punished for it. One such case happened earlier this year, when The Inquisitr reported that a firefighter was handcuffed while trying to help a woman who was unconscious simply because he would not move his truck.

What do you think? Should Koblenzer have been fired for breaking the rules? Is Cracker Barrel being too black and white on the issue or should they allow employees to use some level of discretion when it comes to situations like the one that led to Koblenzer’s firing?

[Image via Flickr Creative Commons]