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Free Valentine’s Portrait for U.S. Military Service Members and Sweethearts
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(AP Photo/U.S. Air Force by Airman 1st Class Courtney Witt)
“There is a possibility that he could be deployed,” says the mother-of-the-bride, Maria Rosario of Ashland. “We don’t even know if he will be here…,” she stops.
“For his own wedding,” continues photographer Jennifer Belkus Goolkasian, owner of Aphrodite Wedding Photography, during a consultation for nuptials planned for this May. Rosario wondered if there might be provisions made if the groom were not able to attend.
The exchange spurred a special offering to United States military service members—deployed or soon-to-be-deployed—and their loved ones. Professional Valentine’s portraits with hair and make-up are available, compliments of Aphrodite Wedding Photography, Portsmouth and a host of area businesses. Because, pictures mean so much in times of separation.
The one-day Valentine’s portrait session will take place Sunday, February 8th at Wentworth by the Sea Hotel and Spa, New Castle, from 10a.m. to 6p.m.. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins will be welcomed until 5 p.m., first come, first served.
A team of hair and make-up artists, compiled by Jennifer Champlin of Pure Escape Massage and Skin Care with the help of Debbie Richards, both of Dover, will prepare the men and women in style. “I’m just honored to do this,” says Champlin, “I think about the troops over in Iraq. I think about how young they may be, and what they are going through, and not being there for the holidays, like Valentine’s Day.”
The images will be posted to online galleries, and may be emailed to distant love ones. One, free 5x7 print is available from Photosmith of Dover or Concord Camera, and up to five reprints will be available at 50% off. To sweeten the thank you further, Everyday Details of Hampton is putting together gift bags, including handmade chocolate sweetheart pops, Italian cookies, New Hampshire Wedding Magazine, and a voucher for a Kittery Outlets V.I.P. coupon book from Kittery Premium Outlets. Wentworth by the Sea has donated its space for the event.
In effort to reach those among us that serve us all, the cooperative has contacted appropriate offices and organizations, including the N.H. National Guard, Concord; Air National Guard, Portsmouth; and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, M.E..
“I think that’s a wonderful idea that would mean so much to the servicemen and their wives, their partners, their families,” says Rosario, who plans to make the session herself. While new news informs that her future son-in-law will make his wedding, after all, her eldest son will be deployed to the Middle East in April, for the third time.
“Whether you believe in the war, or don’t believe in the war, they’re the ones—and their families—that have the hardship and the struggle,” she says, “We have to support them and their families.”
