TEMPLE, Texas — A Central Texas cosmetology school is giving back to those who have served.
Central Texas Beauty College in Temple is offering free haircuts to veterans through Sept. 13 to thank them for their service. Veterans can stop by the Temple location, located at 2010 South 57th Street, to have their hair trimmed, tapered or lined up free of charge.
"So today we're bringing in and inviting all the veterans to come in and get a free haircut," cosmetologist Jaleena Hobbs told 6 News. "We're wanting to give back to the community. Since, you know, they gave so much to us, we're just wanting to let them know that we're here for them as well."
Multiple veterans stopped by to take advantage of the deal, including Navy veteran Jimmie Captain Junior.
"Well, they offer free haircuts," Captain said. "So I decided to come and give them a try. I'm satisfied, you know, very, very helpful."
Captain said he didn't join the Navy for thanks, but appreciates things like this.
"I mean, the way I look at it, when I enlisted, that was my job," Captain said. "So I don't want any thank you or special thanks. That was just my job, but it's great to, you know, feel appreciated."
The timing of honoring veterans on 9/11 was not lost on those who attended.
"It was tragic," Captain said, remembering the tragedy. "I was at work and they shut our whole job down. It was just tragic and I, I felt bad that I couldn't go help because, right, that I had surgery. So it, it broke my heart."
Even those who were young at the time remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Terry Keys said he was in elementary school at the time, but it was one of the things that pushed him to join the military.
"It brings us all together you know, it did bring us together," Keys told 6 News. "It was part of the reason why I wanted to join the military, to defend the people that couldn't defend themselves."
Keys served nine years in the military and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. He is actually from Louisiana, but came to Temple for help from the VA for PTSD. He said he was very pleased with the job the beauty college did on his hair.
"I look like a whole other person, man," Keys said. "So kudos to this place right here, man. It's outstanding."
Keys encouraged other veterans to come take advantage of the deal as well.
"Yeah, 100% come out here and get a free haircut, man, and do something good for yourself," Keys said. "Make yourself feel better."
The veterans were able to leave with more than just a "thank you", and those working at the beauty college said it means a lot to them as well.
"I feel like that's why we choose this industry, so that way we can make people feel good about themselves and we can show love to them," Kendall Goble told 6 News.
"In more ways than beauty," said Alexis Bowling.
"You can see a difference in the change that they, in their eyes and how they're lit up and stuff," said phase one instructor Tatanisha Brown. "So it makes a big difference in the community."
Central Texas Beauty College also puts on other events. They also provide free haircuts at the Killeen Civic Center and give free cuts to kids for Halloween.
Central Texas Beauty College is offering the haircuts to veterans from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Sept. 13. For more information on the college, visit their website at this link.
More local stories from 6 News: