Military veterans and their families who were looking forward to attending this year’s edition of the Army-Navy football game are now being forced to find new lodging accommodations after the rooms that they booked were instead given to illegal aliens.
The annual contest between the two service academies has been an American tradition since 1890 with bragging rights between the military branches on the line in a game that, for the first time in its storied history, will be held in New England, kicking off on December 9 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
But dozens of rooms at three hotels that had been reserved for attendees of the game were suddenly clawed back to be given to migrants, the Boston Herald reported in a story that is drawing national outrage.
According to the paper, a travel agent who assists military families in booking hotel rooms said that at least 70 rooms at a trio of hotels were “taken back” by the management company because the State of Massachusetts had contracted to use the facilities for housing newly arrived illegals.
Hillsdale Travel’s Mark Mansbach told the outlet, “I have enough rooms to cover some of the people. Some people are looking around but pricing is very high. For many, the issue is safety … they are questioning the safety of remaining hotels located near those that are now filled with migrants. Lots of questions by my clients and most hotels are scrambling to come up with safety protocols.”
(Video: YouTube/WPRI)
“We are delighted to confirm that we are indeed taking refugees at our hotels,” said a spokesperson for the company that operates a Comfort Inn in Foxborough and other hotels near Gillette Stadium, the home of the NFL’s New England Patriots.
“By providing shelter to refugees, we aim to be part of a global community that stands together in support of those in need,” added Giri Hotel Management VP of Marketing Claire Mulholland. “We look forward to working with local authorities and organizations to ensure a smooth transition for all those who will call our hotels home during their time with us.”
The idea that illegal aliens were being given priority over men and women who served in uniform, risking their lives so that Americans could be free, drew a furious reaction on social media.
“Our veterans and service academy graduates cannot find anywhere to stay for the Army-Navy Game because hotels are housing illegal aliens on the taxpayers’ dime,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “What a farce.”
Our veterans and service academy graduates cannot find anywhere to stay for the Army-Navy Game because hotels are housing illegal aliens on the taxpayers’ dime. What a farce. When I am president, the days of putting illegals aliens over Americans will be over. https://t.co/U6SGyHtC1L — Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) October 4, 2023
“When I am president, the days of putting illegals aliens over Americans will be over,” the Republican presidential candidate and Navy veteran vowed.
Another GOP candidate of some note, former President Donald J. Trump who was given a rousing welcome when he attended the 2020 edition of the game also expressed disgust.
“Nobody is able to get Rooms for the Army-Navy Game in Foxborough, Massachusetts, because all of the Rooms are occupied by Migrants Illegally in our Country. This is an All Time Classic—Only in Biden’s America!” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday.
(Screenshot: Truth Social)
Other X users expressed their own outrage at how U.S. veterans are now being treated like second-class citizens.
Disgraceful https://t.co/Ce8Iod84Mk — Christina Pushaw (@ChristinaPushaw) October 4, 2023
File under: F**ck Joe Biden — Reminiscences of an American Capitalist (@4Awesometweet) October 4, 2023
Hotel executive Claire Mulholland says she’s “delighted” to kick out veterans and soldiers to make room for illegal aliens. Something tells me the maids and front desk clerks aren’t quite as giddy. https://t.co/w9pgd0o8FS — Gerry Callahan (@GerryCallahan) October 4, 2023
What a monumental disgrace. https://t.co/iAmIPcZE1R — Leo Kiely (@kiely_leo) October 4, 2023
“As a gesture of solidarity and humanitarian responsibility, we are opening our doors to those seeking refuge in our community,” a Giri Hotel Management spokesperson said in a statement to WPRI. “We consider it a privilege to offer a safe haven to those who have been forced to flee their homes due to challenging circumstances, and our enthusiasm stems from our belief in the fundamental values of compassion and unity.”
