"Sam Farr went to Harrah's Rincon Casino this past Saturday night to see a rap concert. He had no intention of drinking at the event.

He's recovering from a horrific car accident that left him paralyzed. He's in a wheelchair. He's on medication.

The 22-year-old Marine can't move his fingers, so he couldn't even hold a beer.

His mother and father took him. After what he's been through, they hoped to give him a big night out.

But he couldn't get in because he only had his military ID, which wasn't adequate for the Valley Center casino. The concert was being held in the Eclipse Nightclub, where booze happens to be served.

“I was looking forward to the concert for a long time,” Farr said. “I was shocked at what happened.”

His mother, Crystal, who lives in Loma Portal, was at a loss, too. “We stood in line for two hours only to be told this?”

Farr said he's used his military ID before without question. Made of hard plastic, it includes name, photograph and date of birth. It's a pretty powerful form of ID. You can get on highly guarded military bases with it.

But apparently not a casino club."

Get the Story:
Michael Stetz: No hurrah at Harrah's for Marine at concert (The San Diego Union Tribune 9/23)