Soldier Claims He Was Forced Out Of Army For Serving Chick Fil A, Reading Hannity


A U.S. Army soldier has filed a lawsuit claiming he was forced out for serving Chick Fil A, reading conservative authors like Sean Hannity, and having anti-Obama bumper stickers, Fox News is reporting.

Master Sergeant Nathan Sommers, a 25-year veteran of the Army and a soloist with the Army Band, is suing for reinstatement, plus back pay and benefits. According to Sommers’ attorney, the soldier was a recipient of an Army commendation medal, and had performed a solo at the funeral of First Lady Betty Ford.

“He was the perfect soldier.”

According to The Washington Times, Sommers’ troubles began when he was spotted with several anti-Obama bumper stickers. One read “NOBAMA,” and another said “The Road To Bankruptcy Is Paved With Ass-Fault” and showed a donkey – a symbol of the Democratic Party. Others bore similar anti-Obama messages. His superiors ordered him to remove those bumper stickers, saying they caused “unnecessary workplace tension.” According to Sommers’ attorney:

“The Army took no action against those soldiers with pro-Obama bumper stickers.”

Another set of incidents stemmed from Sommers’ choice of reading material. According to The Global Dispatch, the soldier claims that he was backstage at an Army band concert, in full uniform, and reading a copy of a Rush Limbaugh book. An officer told him the book was “causing disruption” and asked him to put it away. Sommers alleges that he’s also been ordered to put away books by David Limbaugh and Mark Levin when within sight of the band.

According to Sommers’ lawsuit, the straw that broke the camel’s back came when the soldier served Chick Fil A at his promotion party. Or, rather, his tweet about it. In a tweet that is now hidden from public view, Sommers tweeted:

“In honor of [Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell] repeal, and Obama/Holder’s refusal to enforce [Defense of Marriage Act], I’m serving Chick-fil-A at my MSG promo reception for Army today.”

*Chick Fil A generated controversy in 2012 after news broke of the company’s owner, a conservative, Evangelical Christian, having donated money to organizations that oppose gay marriage (see this Inquisitr article).

The Army’s version of the matter – at least, as interpreted by retired Navy Commander John Bennett Wells for Fox News – is that Sommers deliberately misled a superior officer about the date of an appointment, and failed to comply with an order.

Fox News writer Todd Starnes attempted to contact the Army for a statement, but was told the Army does not comment on pending litigation.

Was Sommers’ conduct detrimental to the Army? Were they right to force him out? Let us know what you think in the Comments.

Image courtesy of: Fox News

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