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Day with friends a thing of beauty

Published in the Asbury Park Press 8/02/04

By GREGORY J. VOLPE
MANAHAWKIN BUREAU

BRICK -- Relatives of a Monmouth County National Guard unit stationed in the Middle East had a free day of beauty at a local salon yesterday, but it was less about getting a haircut and more about gathering with friends who were in a similar situation.

"I think it's a nice way to bring us together," said Gabrielle Barcia-DiMeo, 42, of Freehold, whose husband, Christian DiMeo, 42, is a staff sergeant with the 1st of the 114th National Guard Unit, based in Freehold. "It's just a very nice cozy family feeling for us. While our spouses are overseas, we don't feel like we're alone."

Barcia-DiMeo came with the couple's two children, Nicholas, 8, and Maria, 5, to get herself a manicure.

Since the unit has been deployed to the Middle East -- their families can't publicly say where -- DiMeo said the unit's Family Readiness Group has helped keep families informed about their loved one's deployment, answering technical questions while providing a social support group.

The group sends home movies on DVDs between the troops and their families, raises money for things like school supplies and provides troops with morale-boosting packages. The group ships over standard care packages, but has also recently sent over plastic palm trees, leis and hula skirts so the troops could have a Hawaiian luau.

Yesterday, it was their stateside families' turn for a morale boost at the Cutting Den in Brick.

"We felt they need a day of relaxation while their husbands are doing their duty," said Chris Branco, vice president of the group who has two sons in the National Guard, including one in the 1st of the 114th. "Everyone thinks about the soldiers, but everyone forgets about their families."

Branco's son Jason McKevitt, 23, of Seaside Heights is in the Officer Cadets School with the 114th, while her other son, Specialist Keith McKevitt, 25, of Little Egg Harbor, returned in May from his tour of duty in Iraq.

The owners of the salon, sibings Maria Morro, 42, of Lacey, Salvatore Gulino, 40, of Lacey, and Billy Gulino, 29, of Stafford offered relatives of the unit free food, hair cuts and manicures.

"I just thought it would be nice to treat the girls to a day out to relax," said Morro, whose husband, William Morro, 43, is a sergeant first class in the unit.

"It's really nice that Maria, Billy and Salvatore took time out of their busy lives to help us out," said Aimee Veltri, 30, of Point Pleasant Borough as Sal-vatore cut her hair.

She also came out to "support the troops and support our guys," such as her husband, staff sergeant Albert Veltri Jr., 34.

"I think it's cool, fun," said Sha-ri Madera, 38, of Freehold, whose husband Carlos, 39, is a sergeant in the unit on active duty at the armory in Freehold. "And it's nice to be with all your friends you meet through your husbands."

Gregory J. Volpe: (609) 978-4584 or gvolpe@app.com

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