Hayes served in the U.S. Navy for eight years.



She fired back at the unknown author on social media and tagged the grocery chain.



"I didn't do this for myself and so I got fed up, so I responded," she said.



That response went viral and now she's being honored for raising an issue that struck a cord with people.



"If you see someone in a vet's lot or handicapped lot, don't assume they are not because so many of our veterans have invisible wounds of war," said John Falkenbury, USO North Carolina.



Hayes says at first, she was frustrated and disappointed by the incident and now she's encouraged by all the positive responses.



"I think we like to say its 2016, there's no racism or sexism but it shows don't judge people before we take the extra time to think," she said.