When Library Lecturer and U.S. Army Veteran Frank Lazzaro, the former White House Christmas and State Dinner Decorator from Levittown, entered a CVS store on Hempstead Turnpike, never in a million years did he expect the night manager to order him to put his backpack on the counter before shopping in the store. Frank Lazzaro is unique in many ways. He travels by foot, taxi, rented vehicle, chauffeur, train or bus, but no vehicle of his own. His military backpack is his office and his dress code is a sweatshirt, jeans and boots. Not the typical image set for a person that once rubbed elbows with three Presidents and dined at The White House hundreds of times during his twelve year stay. He's a professional lecturer at libraries and colleges on Long Island. He is a known celebrity at Long Island libraries and senior clubs for over 25 years giving photograph tour seminars of his White House days. He is the former floral decorator during the Ford, Carter and Reagan Administrations. Audience line up to get an autograph copy of his famous seminar booklet, "Memories of Decorating The White House". His e-book is viewed by millions of people around the world. Shocked at this direct order from this night manager, speechless and embarrassed and soaking wet from the pouring rainstorm walking over from his gym at Planet Fitness, he didn't expect this young man to approach him with this direct demand. The young manager said that many people have been stealing from this store and wearing a backpack. To avoid a confrontation with this young executive officer in charge of the store in the evening hours on Wednesday April 30th, Mr. Lazzaro complied to the manager's order. After thinking about it as he was walking around, he informed the manager that he was wrong, and felt discriminated as a shoplifter and street thug. Mr. Lazzaro then informed the young manager that he was filing a report to the corporate offices in Rhode Island on his unacceptable behavior. He only response was that he was just doing his job! A job not sitting well now after Mr. Lazzaro's long email complaint to the corporate offices on this matter and directly to the Chief Executive Officer of CVS. Frank puts it all in very simply terms as he sends a message to him, "After rubbing elbows with three Presidents of the United States, everyone else takes a back seat in my life, I don't care if you are a stock boy or Chief Executive Officer, it's all mickey mouse to me". As for CVS, Frank enjoys shopping there, "You can't beat the great bargains and deals, no other store offers you these savings, and I will continue shopping at CVS, this is just a young guy that is wet behind the ears and not quite experienced in the field of good customer relationships".
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