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'I appreciate it a lot': Haircut for Heroes gives veterans a free trim

The annual event is hosted by Right at Home, a business that helps veterans live independently in their own homes.

MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio — It's been a while since 81-year-old Walter Dimling has had a trim. But on Monday, he was in good hands at the Haircut for Heroes event at The Ashton Senior Living Community in Mayfield Heights.

"I don't care about the face, but you can cut the hair as short as you want," Walter told barber Delmont Pitts.

"I've been cutting hair now for the past 14 years," Delmont said.

He's not just here to clip hair, he's volunteering as a thank you to all the heroes in the room.

"We're helping veterans and we just want to give them some nice haircuts," Delmont said.

The annual event was hosted by Right at Home, a business that helps elderly veterans live on their own, safely and independently.

"I'm a veteran. I love working with the veterans," said Shalom Plotkin, owner of Right at Home. "Freedom isn't free, sometimes the haircut is, and if we have a chance just to say thank you, we see you. Thank you for your service, this is a nice opportunity to give back a little bit."

Every man in the room that day was a U.S. Army or Navy veteran, who served in different wars and varied in age.

"You're gonna see some of the guys here for their haircuts. Some of them were in the military just for a couple years. Some made a career out of it," Shalom said.

The most important thing they have in common, is pride for their country.

"It was an honor," said Marc Kaufman, U.S. Navy veteran.

Gerry Albin, a U.S. Army veteran of Operation Desert Storm, shares the same sentiment.

"Being part of the military gives you a sense of discipline, a sense of order, and a sense of logic," Gerry said. "It's hard to describe. I just feel like I did something good."

So on Monday, all the volunteers wanted to do, was make these heroes feel good.

"Proud to be what I'm doing. Proud to be a veteran," Marc said.

For more information on Right at Home, click HERE.

Have a story idea for Heartstrings? Email to: Heartstrings@wkyc.com.

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