DARBOY, Wis. — In a heartwarming display of support for the servicemen and women in their community, The Barbershop Hair Salon for Men in Darboy, Wisconsin, joined forces with Army veteran and Fragout podcast host, Ryan Lonergan, to provide free haircuts to veterans in honor of Veteran’s Day.
This marked the salon’s second annual event where they offered complimentary haircuts to veterans. The initiative, led by Ryan Lonergan, aimed to provide a small but meaningful gesture of appreciation to those who have served in the military.
Ryan Lonergan, an Army veteran himself, expressed the importance of such micro-level events, stating, “These micro-level events are what really changes the quality of life for veterans. Think about it. Most veterans’ military careers started with a haircut, so let’s bring it back to basics.”
Ashley Dern, brand ambassador for The Barbershop Hair Salon, emphasized her commitment to honoring the men and women who have served their country, saying, “It’s so important to me that we honor the men and women of our country. It’s so heartwarming that I can use my position with the barbershop to be able to give back.”
The event saw both male and female veterans benefiting from the generosity of the salon. U.S. Marine veteran Wade Howell from Kaukauna was among those who received a fresh haircut and expressed his appreciation, noting, “You get small discounts here and there, but to come and get a decent haircut for what is [typically] fairly expensive, it’s nice to come in and just enjoy the good service.”
Navy veteran Lisa Lemke, also a recipient of the salon’s pampering, shared her delight, stating, “I got pampered. I got curls. I feel wonderful.”
For Ryan Lonergan, the event went beyond just haircuts; he hoped that the interaction with fellow veterans would motivate them to engage more with their community and embrace a sense of tenacity. Lonergan said, “This interaction with other veterans in the community, that might give him the motivation to go do something the rest of the week. It injects some type of tenacity to get involved in the community.”
This year’s event saw an increase in participation, with around 40 appointments booked, doubling the turnout from the previous year. The Barbershop Hair Salon’s commitment to recognizing and supporting veterans in the lead-up to Veteran’s Day showcased the power of small acts of kindness in making a difference in the lives of those who have served their country.
