A Dairy Queen in Kewaskum, Wisconsin, has become the center of a national discussion after a sign outside the store went popular online. The owner of the hand-painted sign, which had words like “Merry Christmas” and a promise of free sundaes for veterans, said it was “politically incorrect.” People from all throughout the country have said good things and bad things about it.
The Sign That Started It All
It was a small sign, but it meant a lot.
The sign outside the ice cream shop proudly said:
“This restaurant doesn’t follow the rules of being politically correct.” We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and that God blesses America. We also want to provide servicemen complimentary sundaes.
The comments stood out in a world where public communications are usually rather neutral. Some people thought it was a fantastic way to show how much they loved their country and its customs. Some people said it was too private and gave the wrong idea about who could come.
It spread all around the country in just a few hours after someone posted a picture of the sign on social media. A lot of people shared it. Some people praised Dairy Queen for “standing up for its values,” while others said the owner was driving away customers who might not agree with them.
Kevin Scheunemann, the owner, adds, “It’s about respect.”
Kevin Scheunemann, the owner of the Dairy Queen franchise, quickly had calls from both local and national news outlets seeking to talk to him. He didn’t think the message was meant to make people furious; he thought it was designed to symbolize what he believed in.
Scheunemann told reporters, “I’m not trying to hurt anyone.” “I just want to say what I believe: honoring our veterans, our country, and the values I learned as a child.” Everyone is welcome here.
He thought the sign was for him, not the business. He said he had put up the sign years ago and had never had a problem with it until the picture went viral.
Supporters Praise His Bravery
Many Americans, especially veterans and small business owners, supported Scheunemann on social media.
There were a lot of messages of support:
“Finally, someone who isn’t afraid to speak their mind.”
“As a veteran, I’ll go a long way to get ice cream from this Dairy Queen.”
“That’s good for him.” We don’t need less appreciation and kindness; we need more of them.
People in Kewaskum, which has little over 4,000 residents, felt the same way. The Dairy Queen is more than simply a location to buy ice cream for a lot of people. It’s a place for the neighborhood, and families gather together there on nice summer nights and kids rejoice after Little League games.
Someone stated, “It’s always been nice and welcoming.” “This sign says a lot about this place: it has a lot of pride, respect, and heart.”
Some others think it sends the wrong message.
But not everyone thought that was right.
Some people who wrote about it online said that the sign’s title, which was “politically incorrect,” made matters worse than they needed to be. One critic said, “You don’t have to call other people out to say what you think.” “It’s not a place for politics; it’s a place for families to eat.”
certain people said that the sign could make certain consumers feel unwelcome by focusing on certain greetings and values. One tweet remarked, “Not everyone celebrates Christmas.” It’s easy to get everyone involved when you say “Happy Holidays.”
The talk immediately spread to more than one Dairy Queen. It was part of a wider discussion about free speech, being open to everyone, and being allowed to say what you believe in public.
Answers from Dairy Queen Corporation
The corporate office of Dairy Queen argued that franchisees are in charge of their own businesses and that the sign outside the Kewaskum shop only showed the owner’s personal views, not those of the complete company.
The business said, “The owner of this place has his own thoughts.” “Dairy Queen values diversity and welcomes everyone.”
The answer was concise and well-thought-out, and it reminded people that the brand supports each franchise owner but also wants everyone to feel welcome.
A sign that means more than just a sign
The Dairy Queen and the sign that generated a lot of trouble are still the talk of the town. For some, it means sticking up for what you believe in and doing things the way they’ve always been done. It makes them reflect about how divided conversations over language, identity, and belonging have become.
This one sign shows the problem that many people in modern America face: how to reconcile free speech with respect for others and how to stay true to your convictions while making sure everyone feels welcome.
Not Just Words
No matter what you think of what the sign said, it definitely got people talking about it all over the place. It reminded people in the US that even a small-town ice cream shop can be a place where people from different backgrounds come together.
A person who lives there said it best:
“You can read that sign anyway you want.” It’s still Dairy Queen, so everyone can still get ice cream.