It's great to be appreciated.

Hundreds of service members and their spouses turned out March 15 to enjoy a Him & Her Appreciation Day at the Marymount Event Center in Spanaway, hosted by The Ranger and Northwest Airlifter newspapers, and sponsored by USAA.

The center is home to part of the LeMay Classic Car Museum, and the event was held in the midst of priceless, classic automobiles.

"I came by for the free haircut," Spc. Jason Litschauer said with a grin as Rashawnada Rowley from the Olympia Barber School clipped away.

"I think it is so wonderful to be here and meet these soldiers," commented Rowley. 

"My brother served for 20 years, and I understand the sense of service these men and women have.  And the cars are magnificent."

>>> Hundreds came to the LeMay Classic Car Museum for the Him & Her Appreciation Day for military members and their spouses, host by The Ranger and Northwest Airlifter newspapers. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

>>> Lee Lynden paints an elephant on a clog during the Him & Her Appreciation Day for military members. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

Soldiers and their significant others were treated to a number of free activities and giveaways to include free spa services, tours of the classic cars, hair cuts, massages, raffles, information on higher education and prizes.

Nearby, Polly Griffith of As Soon As Painted carefully painted an elephant on a clog.

"It's exciting to be here," she said as she worked.  "We like to provide soldiers and their family members with something unique, and today we are happy to do so."

As for 1st Lt. Ryan Ellis, 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, he really didn't have a choice to attend.

"My wife signed me up to come here," he said as Nadja Calcote applied a glue-like substance to his eyebrows for a waxing.

"She brought me here because she thinks I need to be appreciated."

Co-sponsors for Saturday's event included Washington's G.E.T program and American Laser.

>>> Andria Freitag receives a haircut during the Him & Her Appreciation Event, honoring military members and their spouses. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson