ROCKFORD, Mich. -- It was a typical lunch hour at the Corner Bar in Rockford until a customer asked for the manager.
That usually is not a good thing.
But this customer asked to pay the bill for the more than 30 service men and women who stopped in for lunch. The National Guard troops were in the area for training at the Belmont Armory.
The troops had stopped in for lunch at the bar, ordering everything from the famous hot dogs to burgers. The bill came to about $200, minus a discount from management. The anonymous customer paid for everything.
Corner Bar general manager John Vanaman told FOX 17, “The guest was very adamant about remaining anonymous. He said he wanted to pick up the bill in appreciation for what our service men and women do.”
The soldiers were very grateful, some saying it was the first time anything like has happened to them.
“We’re always grateful for the little things. It’s great to see the general public supporting us and doing the little things," says Michigan National Guard Sergeant Ryan Bauer.