Bang Salon – A Day Honoring the Silent Heroes

By Punch Pep Correspondent Elizabeth Fischer

On U Street, in Washington DC, the day was about thanking the silent heroes for the support they provide at home, while their partners are oversees.  It was a day meant to indulge a few very deserving women.

Erfer, Keller and Gates

As one wife aptly stated: “this event is about letting the wives put aside work, childcare, and household responsibilities to get a little pampering.”  And spoiling these women was top on everyone’s agenda.

Fun & Flirty Hair

The contentment and cheerfulness were oozing from every crack and crevice.  It makes you realize how every act of kindness, no matter how big or small, can truly make a difference.  It only takes one act to impact a life.

Tammy Gates

My first introduction to military life came when I first spied my father’s military jackets – he was a member of the air national guard – and he told me about his experiences but also told me one day I would attend West Point.  As a child that thought was horrifying – in my mind I would have to shave my head and do a lot of push-ups – and that simply would not do given I was envisioning a life away from strict rules.  My next introduction came when I met my ex-husband who was a medic in the Army – his life at Walter Reed was a mixed bag as the political reality of those who serve surfaced.  I then clerked for the Honorable Eugene R. Sullivan at the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Services and learned about the law that governs the military world.  But the biggest impact came when my sister met her husband, a marine.  Semper Fi.  I have learned much about what it takes to be a member of the military and that member’s family from the stories shared by my sister & friend – both named Jennifer; in addition to the stories shared by those I know who serve & live in DC and those stories that unfold at the GI Film Festival.

My sister is a silent hero.  In the fifteen years that my sister and brother-in-law have been married they have been apart for seventy percent of it.  In the thirteen years that my nephew has been alive he has never spent a full year with his father; the same applies to the six years my niece has been alive.  Luckily, despite five tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, my brother-in-law is alive.  Same as the men returning to the lovely ladies indulged by Bang Salon.  A miracle on its own.

It is not an easy life and in the political world can seem thankless a lot more than it is honored.  It is hard to remember when you are removed or focused on a political battle that military lives are impacted every day while we enjoy the freedom these sacrifices protect.  My niece would love nothing more than to hug her daddy goodnight every day.  Same as the children whose fathers’ are returning after being gone since August.  And for this reason, I am eternally grateful for the sacrifices made by the men and women who serve and the families who support them.  The manager at Bang Salon agrees.

Hair Styling

“These strong-willed ladies have been through a lot.  A lot of stress, hard-work and fatigue,” said Patrick Guarniere, manager at Bang U-Street. “I can’t think of a more deserving group of individuals to give this day of beauty to.  We are going to make them absolutely stunning for when they reunite with their husbands.”  This attitude resonated throughout the event.

The Final Touches

Jessica Erfer said: “We cannot thank Bang Salon and f.y.u.b.i Makeup Studio enough for their generosity in making the day go off without a hitch. The support from these Washington, D.C. businesses is overwhelming. With our day of beauty over, we are even more excited to welcome home our husbands and the other Marines from the 4th Civil Affairs Group.”  In addition to the Bang-provided services, these wives were treated to a variety of sweets, drinks and complimentary goodie “swag” bags containing a variety of take-home trendy beauty products from SKINCANDO (earlier article on this great beauty product) and Redken.

The Gift Bag

I simply can’t say enough about the military wives and the wonderful people who donated time this day – the first words/phrases that come to mind – special, class acts, true angels, and remarkable.  But I must say one thing: Thank you!

Photographs by Steven Eliopoulos