How one parking initiative transformed the nation
If you’ve ever used “Veteran parking” at Lowe’s, you’ve got Army Korean War Veteran James “Clarence” Floyd to thank.
In 2016, Floyd was instrumental in establishing 130 designated Veteran parking spaces throughout the city of Somerset, Ky.
“I visited every business in town that would accept me and asked them to put up a sign,” Floyd recalled.
Today, parking signs with the message “Thank you for your service” can be found in many parking lots and businesses across the city. His initiative gained broader recognition when Lowe’s home improvement stores adopted the idea across the country. To Floyd, even small changes can make a big difference in the lives of those who serve our nation.
A mission beyond the uniform
Floyd is a proud Korean War Veteran and a long-time resident of Somerset, where he has devoted his life to honoring and supporting his fellow Veterans.
He served six years in the Army after being drafted during the Korean War in 1953, where his unit rebuilt the demilitarized zone near the 38th parallel, which separated North and South Korea at that time. In recognition of his service, the South Korean government honored him with the “Ambassador of Peace” medal.
After returning to civilian life, Floyd wore many hats. He worked at Eagle Express Trucking for 31 years, served as a councilman in Pulaski County for 11 years, and was chaplain at the American Legion Post #38 in Somerset for 17 years, providing spiritual leadership, supporting Veterans during ceremonies and memorials, and building community ties. He was also active with the Honor Guard, where he organized approximately 1,600 funerals to honor fallen comrades and comfort grieving families.
Dedicated advocate and mentor
Through collaborations with VA, local funeral directors and the American Legion, Floyd became a dedicated advocate and mentor for Veterans, helping them to discover their earned VA benefits and services.
Over the years, Floyd has guided countless Veterans through the VA system, pushing for improvements to the services they received. His initiatives included arranging basketball goals for the physical therapy gym at the Somerset VA Clinic, providing updated Veterans benefits books, and setting up a coffee station, too.
“His duty did not stop on his discharge date; he has continued the mission every day,” said Deena Ricketts, supervisory medical support assistant at the Somerset VA Clinic.
Floyd’s advocacy even included visiting Veterans in hospitals, nursing homes and hospice care, ensuring they were remembered and appreciated for their service. He also arranged for burial flags to be donated to drape over the Veterans who had passed.
A remarkable legacy
Floyd’s dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2022, he was inducted into the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame, which honors Veterans who continue to serve their communities after military service. Upon receiving this recognition, he visited the nation’s capital and paid his respects at the Korean War Veterans Memorial.
“It was the experience of a lifetime,” he shared.
He has received several awards, including the Evangelism Legacy Award from his church, a Salute to Valor award from the Kentucky House of Representatives and even a “key to the city” from the Somerset mayor.
Now, at 93 years young, Floyd enjoys a well-deserved retirement with his wife of 68 years. He still participates in military honor funerals and flag retirement ceremonies whenever possible.
Patrick Sinclair, voluntary service officer at Lexington VA Health Care System, summed it up perfectly: “There is no finer Veteran in the State of Kentucky!”
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Thank you for your service. We appreciate you and your family!
U.S. Army veteran thank you I’m handicapped the up close spot is a nice consideration and helpfull.
I am a 4 year veteran of the Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict. However I was never “in Country”. I am a Wyoming Born & Raised individual, of Casper, Wy, attended Natrona County High School, graduated with the class of 1960, and Attended 2 years at Casper Junior College. My mother had an acquaintance on the draft board who let her know when my name appeared on the list to be drafted. My brother had been in the Army and told me not to become a “ground pounder” consequently I joined the Air Force.
Thought I would see some of the world with the Air Force but after basic training in Lackland AFB Texas, I wound up spending my whole AF career at Warren AF Base, Cheyenne, Wyoming.
All of that was simply a way of painting a little background of my life prior to the AF.
Now getting to the point I wish to make concerning all of the benefits being offered to our Veterans, which I agree with in principle, however I don’t feel that simply by donning a uniform for a while that you deserve so many benefits. I know there are so many of the various benefits available that I do Not avail myself of just because I wore a uniform for 4 years. I simply do not feel I deserve them.
I simply feel that doing something other than simply wearing a uniform make an individual worthy of all of the available benefits. I know that I don’t deserve them all!
Lowe’s is one of the few that honors veterans in this way. And me being a veteran I appreciate it to the upmost whenever I go shopping there. But I wish those that are not veterans would not park in those designated spaces. Kudos to Veteran James C. Floyd and Lowe’s.
How awesome is it to hear this story. Thank you! I am so appreciative for your thoughtfulness, the parking space is “PURE AWESOMENESS “ on your part to think of us. I use it all the time.
Brock!
Go Army
Thank You Mr.Floyd from a Vietnam Veteran.
I sure do use the Veteran parking at Lowe’s and other places. Thank you and God Bless you Veteran Clarence Floyd!
Definitely deserves a major THANK YOU!!!! I also am a veteran but not at the capacity of this man!! Thank you and god bless your family too!!
I would rather have a bigger selection of items
That are discounted .
Every year they get less and less at
Lowes.
I use the parking all the time it’s nice
Thank You James! It’s great to know that Veterans aren’t completely forgotten when we get home. It makes me proud to have served, although I don’t look for the recognition it is nice to receive it every once in awhile. So many of us that have deployed overseas and saw and did things humans should never have to deserve some recognition because part of them didn’t come home.
Maybe the next thing to work on are bringing back Veterans discounts on big ticket items at Lowes and elsewhere.
Thank you sir.
Now if we can just keep the non-veteran people from parking in them, especially in Las Vegas wear Hispanics pretend they can’t read the signs. I’m a Veteran and really appreciate this.
Lowe’s in Franklin people keep moving them farther and farther away so they can park there. I brought it up in the store and they couldn’t have cared less. Terrible people!!
Such a small, almost insignificant action, to show the people who have given a portion of their lives to keep our country a democracy❣️ words are never going to replace examples such as this to honor the men and women who step up to shoulder a portion of the responsibility to keep our country a beacon to the rest of the world! I hope that everyone will treat these reserved spots for our VETS like a sacred burial spot, and SHOW COMPLETE RESPECT!
Great story for other veteran’s all of them who served and sacrificed so much for their country and the great united states of America God bless us all
HOW about Lowes stors in chattanooga tennessee we need signs there there to please see what you can do for combat wounded in tennessee ok thank you from a brother in arm’s joseph God bless the united state’s of America thanks to all whoever served in combat for their country
This is truly an amazing story. And YES I’ve used the military parking sites at our local Lowes store. Thank You very much. And to be actively going at 92 years is a remarkable story in itself.
Thank you for making this happen
. Thank you for your service
I have used the parking spot at Lowes for veterans and it’s been useful. I’ve often thought how nice to have parking close to the front.
nice but where i am hadicappef parking got pushed farther away
Thank you Mr. Floyd for your service to this country and for advocating for all of our Veterans
Would be nice if I could have served…but due to no fault of my own…(Being nearly 7 feet tall) I wasn’t allowed to join the DoD in any capacity. Got any ‘height parking’. No? That’s because we are all equal….oh except veterans.
Could have joined the Police Force. Could have used You.
Thanks. People need to remember those spaces are for veterans. Meaning those who served active duty. Not for dependents. DAV 1965-1971
Yes I use it. Thank you
Awesome…beautiful and thank you ? blessing to you and your family. I am too am Army Veteran now on West Coast hope see our Lowes in Northern California and soon ENTIRE 58 states in retail parking establishment adopted your this signage and DMV Handbook soon get it.
Thank you I always part in Veteran parking space at Lowe’s Hi vee also has special parking
Thank you Sir Clarence for Caring!
I’ve used the parking space and the purple heart and I appreciate the fact that he has done so much for our veterans a special thanks to Mr. Floyd may God Bless you and your family
Thank you for assisting in Veteran recognition.
Thank you for your service. My husband and son are veterans having served during the Vietnam in the Iraqi wars your lifetime of service honoring veterans is such an inspiration to me it breaks my heart to see so many of our veterans homeless serving our country is not only an honor it’s a privilege our service members in our veterans deserve to be treated with great respect and we should honor them with every possible means reading your story has inspired me to find out how I can help your locally in Columbus Ohio I thank God for your service and your dedication to their honor I know that you will be rewarded for your kindness your compassion your dedication and your loyalty I wish you good health and longevity God bless you ???️?
Thank you. I enjoy those spots and what they represent.
All the time
I would never use those parking spots and have switched to Home Depot for most of my shopping for those products since Lowes began asking if I’m a veteran at checkout.
I was an Air Force Combat Controller from ’66 to ’73 and don’t need anyone to thank me for a service that every young American should perform, even those who plan on being a president eventually. And when I’m asked at checkout if I was, in order to get that 10% discount, and I have to say “no”, because I didn’t jump through their silly hoops, it’s annoying.
Rich, Thank You for your service. TACP from 66-74. We might have crossed paths somewhere. Drank Beer with Crutchfield, Spider Webb, JC Bradshaw. Many more I can’t think of now. 80 years old this year.
That is the most disgusting thing that anybody can do anywhere in this country is give Veterans private parking when we don’t even have enough disabled parking to get cripple people up to the front doors, but you want and I am and I’m gonna state. I am a disabled Vietnam combat vet decorated enlisted with a bad knee to start with at the board said nothing wrong with my leg proved them wrong left leg went out over 20 years drawn 100% VA disability and the story goes on and on get rid of private parking for Veterans if they’re not crippled, they ought to be glad they live in America like me they don’t deserve a special parking place cause it all it causes illegal abuse, and the man that got it started. It was a veteran he ought to be ashamed. ???♿️ on a similar topic motorcycle parking up at the front doors should be banned. We need parking for handicap people who are crippled not people who can hold up a 900,000 pound motorcycle and and holler. I gotta have the front door so I can park put them out like everybody else and get them out of there and and Tulsa and Muskogee are the two that I go to and they’re disgusting.
Yes, I use the veteran parking and am thanking Lowe’s for the consideration. I now shop about 99% of the time at Lowes because of the recognition and Accommodation.
Amazing Veteran! Thank you sir for all the hard work you’ve put in and that you are doing! I’ve got 22 years active in and retired a few years ago with disabilities and been putting off getting involved. You’re inspiring:)
The Lowe’s near me does not have Veterans parking. Sounds like a great idea. The store I’m referring to is in the Kentlands Shopping Center, in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Thank you sir, I use it all the time and never knew wh I to thank… sempre fi… prayers
I have used those, but I usually leave them open for our fellow brothers that need the spots, ie blown the F up in the GWOT.
Thank you very much for the veterans parking signs. Latson W. Cockfield MSG (E8) Retired USA
I salute you, Army Veteran Clarence Floyd for your service to our Country and your dedication to veterans benefits!
Captain Kathleen Z. Saenz, USAFR, NC;
Former Navy WAVE–Veteran of the Vietnam Era
I like to park in the designated spot for veterans only!! It doesn’t need to be the closest spot to the front door its just a good way to show respect above all others. It’s much appreciated and thank you for thinking of us.
No I haven’t ever used the veterans parking because I’m not conceited or lazy lmao. Pulling in there is like saying “thank me for my service”
Thank you, I’m a contractor
Thank you!! My wife and I are both vetrans of nam and we often use the space
To Always wondered how this transpired and now I know.Thank you, Clarence Floyd for your service and all you have done since. You are a huge pebble in an even larger pond…with respect,sir!…PS..I am an A.F. veteran of Vietnam and just wanted to reach out!
I use the Veterans Parking when I can’t find a Disabled Parking spot. I think this is a great jester on Lowes part including the 10% on goods. Loews is my first choice foe my needed parts and goods. Bravo Zulu to Lowes!!! Thank You Fellow Veteran Floyd and American Legion Comrade!
Great story, I use Lowe’s Veteran Parking frequently
Thank you for providing Veterans/s parking for all vets at Lowe’s. Appreciate all your efforts, and what it took to make this happen.
I have. Thank you
What a wonderful man and veteran, James Floyd is. God had a plan for this man with a mission that has meant so much to so many, that he’s give floyd quite a number of years so far to accomplish it.
Semper Fi ARMY!!!!!
As a 34 year Veteran I would like to see more states adopt these signs i know in my Home state of Illinois we have these signs at many Farm & Fleet stores , Lowe’s ive yet to see any at our local Home depot stores . I use these spots proudly whenever I frequent these establishments . They even have purple Heart recipients parking placards up in chicago and down in Missouri ive seen these first hand I would like to try and advocate for more of these in my area . It makes our Veterans male / female alike to know they are not forgotten and what they sacrificed some the ultimate sacrifice . Thank you too you my fellow brother and Veteran for life Clarence Floyd .
Thank you Mr. Floyd for your service and for initiating the veterans parking at Lowe’s. God bless you and your family.
Yes ..I have used Veteran Parking @ Lowe’s….always have a Great Parking spot…Thank You Brother Floyd ..& God Bless
Thanks Army Korean War Veteran James “Clarence” Floyd we veterans at the Memphis VA thank you and thank you for you service and your sacrifice
Do you need a veteran placard like for disabled
Clarence Floyd thank you for all that you have done for America veterans! This is no flame on Floyd at all the man has done more then what one man should.
Yet it’s sicking that a closer parking spot is the thanks many of us Veteran get! Especially combat veterans!
We shutdown the Government of illegals immigrants! Our Government allows programs that are aimed to help Veterans sunset because Democrats are protesting and supporting illegal immigrants.
We have had programs sunset to help Veterans get to VA appointment we also lost several programs to help prevent suicide do to Democrats supporting illegal immigrants!
We have a Democrat party that care more about illegal immigrants then America citizens and a hell of a lot more then America veterans!
The Men and Woman who signed that check that said “Up to including my life!” Deserve more then people who illegally enter our country and take advantage of the system!
Yes I 1000% agree with military and a Honorable discharge should also see citizenship paperwork!
The minority group that Democrats don’t care about America veterans! The Minority group that 90% of America don’t care about also!
OMG STOP BRINGING POLITICS INTO THESE COMMENTS!!
I’ve only seen these parking spaces at Lowes only in Houston and i use it! Thank you sir!
For me, it makes me feel like a target.
Instead of veterans parking closer to the store, let’s have draft-dodger ( like presidents Trump, Biden and Clinton, parking out at the far corners.