More than three dozen mementos hang from the walls of Mercer’s Barber Shop near the courthouse.
Some are framed, while others hang by an old piece of Scotch tape. Included is an autographed photo of George W. Bush, several Charlton Hestons and a poster claiming that GUN CONTROL MEANS USING TWO HANDS. One item, however, stands above the others in the heart and mind of Bobby Mercer.
The story begins one day earlier this month when Mercer walked inside his house. On the kitchen table sat a UPS package. Mercer opened the package and pulled out a folded American flag. Mercer didn’t think a whole lot about it. After all, Mercer already owns a whole bunch of American flags.
“I fly the flag at the house and we’ve bought quite a few of them over the years. I opened up the package and just figured that my wife had ordered another Old Glory,” Mercer said.
Then, however, Mercer began investigating the package more closely. Enclosed was a framed letter from a higher-up in the U.S. Army. Also included was a nice plaque that quickly brought a tear to Mercer’s eye. The plaque read: “This is to certify that the accompanying American flag was flown in the face of the enemy over the American compound, Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan, during Operation Enduring Freedom on Sept. 11, 2009. In honor of Mercer’s Barber Shop.” Also on the plaque was a photo of several American soldiers flying the flag high atop the Afghan hills.
Needless to say, Mercer was extremely touched.
“It was a wonderful moment. To be perfectly frank, it brought a tear to both of my eyes, as well as the eyes of my wife. I plan on having that flag buried next to me in my coffin. But,” mused Mercer, “I’m not in any real hurry.”
Since that time, Mercer has found the perfect place for the plaque at his barber shop. Mercer’s newest memento currently hangs directly above a portrait of Gen. George Patton, to the left of a Charlton Heston photograph, to the right of a Sons of Confererate Veterans certificate, and below a large American flag (Old Glory, says Mercer).
The Army honored Mercer based on the fact that he previously has crafted Bowie knives for soldiers in the Middle East. Mercer, who has always had an affinity for dangerous and crazy weapons, has donated more than a dozen Bowie knives to soldiers in the Middle East since war broke out in 2003. All of the knives were specially configured by Mercer, complete with a leg scabbard and velcro handle.
“I’ve been collecting knives for years and years. But, as I get older I don’t have much use for them,” he said. “All of the knives go to customers of mine. I’ll be cutting a guy’s hair and he’ll say ‘I’m about to ship out to the Middle East.’ Then I’ll tell him to come back by the barber shop before he leaves. That’s when I give him a knife and thank him for being a true patriot.”
Mercer says that the U.S. military permits soldiers in combat to carry their own knives, which sometimes is a last line of defense.
“You never know when a knife will save your life, buddy!” he says. Mercer has been a staunch supporter of the military efforts in the Middle East and says that everyone should support the troops.
“Even if you don’t support the war, you should support the troops,” he said. “I’m too old to serve, but this is a way for me to help out.” Mercer only has one request for the soldiers who receive the knives. “I ask them to give the knife to a fellow soldier before they come back home. I don’t want any of those knives to return to American soil until the entire conflict is over,” Mercer said. “That’s my wish.”
Mercer also has one request for ordinary Americans who are going about their day-to-day business.
“Freedom is not free. It’s one of the most expensive things on earth, which is because freedom is paid for with the blood of American heros. I hope people remember that,” he said. “Our fallen heroes gave all of their tomorrows so we can have ours.”
Mercer currently is in his 51st year as a barber and is a regular contributor in The Baldwin Bulletin’s popular “Ask An Old Timer/Blue Hair” feature.
