Last November, nail tech Amber Thomas opened her salon to army veterans and their spouses for free nail services in honor of Veterans Day. “We had a champagne cocktail lunch and did lots of nails!” says Thomas, the owner of The Nail Whisperer in Zephyrhills, Fla. “I’ve done this for several years now. The veterans appreciate that I extend the offer to their spouses, and many of them become repeat customers, while others receive a day of pampering they usually can’t afford otherwise.”

The vets aren’t the only ones benefitting from the experience: “I absolutely adore my country and have so enjoyed meeting each and every vet. I love hearing their stories and learning what serving our country meant for them,” she says.

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